Everyday my friends criticize me about everything—my clothes, my hair, you name it. They are my only friends in the whole school. The rest are all populars. I know my friends are joking around when they say these things, but sometimes it really hurts. Please help!
-I <3 Brad!
Hey sweets,
Nobody should make jokes at your expense. They may just be joking, but that doesn’t mean it hurts any less. Laughing along with them and not speaking up may only perpetuate their behavior. Instead of laughing or just letting it slide, say something. I’m positive once they know how much your feelings are hurt, they’ll stop. Say, “ Cracking a joke everyone once in a while is fine, but it has gotten to the point where I feel like you are picking on me and it’s really bothering me.”
You shouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable around your friends and you shouldn’t feel like you have to let them make fun of you in order to be friends with them.
While it is important to defend yourself and your feelings, remember that it’s also good to laugh at yourself sometimes. And although I’m not encouraging you to make fun of other people, I do think it’s important that you not take yourself too seriously.
XOXO,
Jana
BY JIAE K. ON 3/26/2008 12:00:00 AM 381 COMMENTS