One common mistake that people usually tend not to realize is the extent to which their verbal jokes can affect a sensitive person. People often misunderstand introverts as sensitive people, as that is just a myth and more like a misconception. You cannot judge people by the way they choose to live a life for themselves. Extroverts can be equally sensitive and easily affected by someone’s lame comment towards them. Sarcasm, criticism, putting one down, verbal abuse in a subtle, light way, etc. can be some of the things that sensitive people get offended by.
Sensitive people are often mocked for this personality trait as many people consider being sensitive is a sign synonymous with weakness. What many fail to understand is that the capability to perceive and feel everything too deeply is not a sign of weakness, but strength instead. However, when dealing with such people at office, workplace, school or at home, there must be a few points that must be paid heed to when interacting with sensitive people. Sometimes, when sensitive people need to express that something said or done by someone has affected them, they would instead, keep it as the offense hidden inside, and not speak up their mind. The best way to avoid hurting the sentiments of a sensitive person is to talk gently and in a polite manner to everybody around you!
In a class, or at home, when sensitive people are shouted at or raised a voice against it, they tend to get hurt easily. They might either resort to crying or taking it personally when somebody tries to joke with them or when someone tries to order them. They are usually not very great at receiving jokes in a light manner as they see this as someone mocking and belittling them. Words have to be chosen very carefully when having a conversation with sensitive people as they are seen as very vulnerable and insecure about themselves or things related to them.
At the workplace, we have to communicate and come across people of various natures and personalities. Some are gossip mongers, some are loud extroverts, and some are vulnerable and sensitive. The most effective thing you can do in order to not offend a sensitive person at work is to avoid calling him ‘sensitive’ or by any other names to mock this trait. Avoid making jokes at them or with them as well, as they are very vulnerable and insecure to comments. People who never get offended easily would be wondering why sensitive people get offended so easily. Read on!
Why Do Sensitive People Get Offended Easily?
Sensitive people tend to care too deeply about others and cannot process the idea of building walls to protect feelings. They tend to feel everything too deeply and scientifically; they start producing stress hormones with less information itself. They wear their heart on their sleeve which most people tend to take advantage of, making them vulnerable to the slightest comment passed at them.
Everybody is aware of their strengths and shortcomings. But sensitive people are very insecure about the qualities that they don’t have. Unlike strong people, they don’t have a protective wall that they can block their feelings from.
Sensitive people get overwhelmed very easily on every small thing, and it won’t be wrong to call them passionate towards life. They recognize other people’s feelings easily and maybe expect the same from others, and when people get rude to them deliberately or humorously, they get offended. They respond to being talked to gently. They seem to take it for the contrary if spoken in any other tone. If you want to make a sensitive person do something, talk to them in an encouraging and light way.
Mocking a sensitive person for the way that they are will only make things worse if it’s someone close to you that you do not want to hurt. Perhaps rather ask them what they are so ‘sensitive’ about. Talk to them if something you said is bothering them because they are otherwise very protective of their feelings, including the feeling of being vulnerable. When people talk to them in a harsh way, they think that someone has exposed them in as somewhat embarrassing way.
Sensitive people are not only very sensitive and protective about their feelings but other’s feelings too. The reason why they seem to surprise and offended when somebody judges you in a polite way is that they would never do that to someone. They are either unaware or get pretty offended by sarcasm or even healthy criticism for that matter. One thing that I know about sensitive people who just cannot process being spoken to harshly is that they will never speak to you harshly.
#1. Avoid Engaging In Meaningless Conversations
Avoid passing meaningless remarks even humorously at them as they might get offended easily. Avoid engaging in meaningless conversations and keep your opinions non-personal. They tend to take direct opinions or remarks too personally and in order to avoid that from happening, do not engage in meaningless remarking conversations about them or others as well. They might judge you for doing so and if it is especially someone you like, you must avoiding doing this.
#2. Do Not Joke About Them To them
They would rather take any and every opinion you express towards them in the wrong way, including criticism. They seem to get very vulnerable about their feelings and emotions about them, mocking the way they are or taunting them by asking them why they get sensitive will only make them dislike you. Workplace or at home, such people endow sensitive energy, and you must talk gently to anyone and everyone so as to not break anyone’s bubble of respect.
#3. Do Not Call Them Sensitive
You don’t call fat people fat, and the same way you must not call sensitive people sensitive. These physical or mental traits are just a part of their personality, someone who they are, and nobody wants to be made aware of at least be publically acknowledged about their shortcomings. Calling sensitive people sensitive will only make them push you away as nobody is a fan of a judgemental person.
#4. Create Boundaries That Are Healthy
If there is a colleague of yours at the workplace who is sensitive, then try to create a healthy boundary by not speaking to them in a manner or on matters that they usually do not prefer talking about. If you think a person likes to keep his personal life private, then avoid talking to them about their boyfriend as they may get uncomfortable quite easily.
Here are few ways by which sensitive people may get offended easily and how to avoid in order to not make them feel uncomfortable. If you happen to have a person at the workplace who is sensitive in his/her nature, these pointers will help you to talk to them easily! Leave a comment if you found this article helpful and relatable!
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