subject: Expressing Or Showing Sympathy Through Different Ways [print this page] If there is someone for whom you care and he/she requires sympathy then it can be difficult to know what to do. It is a known fact that everyone at some point for the other requires someone to sympathize with them. It is possible that you may not know how to express sympathy at the right moment. This is perfectly normal. It must be taken into mind that there is no perfect condolence, no ideal gift. Showing your sympathy to that someone may be for any reason and that is going to be difficult no matter what you say or do. The most you can do is to lighten the mood of that person.
Most of us eventually fall back on the common methods to show our sympathy that is with cards or flowers arrangements, but that can be very impersonal.
There are other methods to show sympathy. These are as follows:
You should give the person your full attention. Make it a point to maintain eye contact. You should not fidget or attempt to multi-tasking. You cannot express your sympathy if you cannot hear or try to hear what the person is feeling if you are trying to do something else that also requires your undue attention. Hence, listening to the other person is important. If you thing that the other person is worth talking to, then they are also worth listening to.
It is not necessary that you should listen to everyone who wants your due attention. Some people just simply want you to listen to them, but don't return the favor. You do have the right to not listen. Obviously your time is of value to you. You don't have to give it away if you don't want to.
You can begin by asking questions to the other person in order to open up the conversation or show interest in the other person.
You should remember not to finish sentences for people. If you do this you are trying to anticipate what the other person is going to say. Thats not fair. You should at least show courtesy.
You must search for ways to show your sincere appreciation for what the person has done, said or feels. You don't have to promote yourself to feel better. If you support others they will also tend to think more positively about you. This will definitely have a positive effect. It doesn't take away anything from you to give credit to another; in fact it's a way to feel good inside.
It is not necessary for you to always agree with the other person. It is understood that someone feels hurt even though you would feel differently in the same situation.
If you have a time limit let the other person know.
You must be respectful to everyone especially to the children and the elderly. Always remember the golden rule that you must treat others, as you would want to be treated.
It may be possible that in the end all your efforts may not lessen the pain. However, it doesn't lessen the amount of love we pour into their life by sharing some sympathy words or words of comfort to the other person.
