I think the best way to be is in the middle. Assertive, but not necessarily aggressive, and not passive. You don't let people walk over you, but at the same time you are not jumping down someone's throat.

I would say in am more on the passive or senitive side with people I care about. Most people interact everyday, I am more assertive.

I don't think there is anything wrong with feeling emmotions and showing them.

I grew up in a house of all guys. We never talked about emmotions or supported eachother in That respect. If someone starting to lose it you got something like "get your s***, and suck it up". I think that is the attitude of a lot of guys. More aggresive, dominating, hunter like I guess. Doesn't mean that it is appropriate all of the time. Being overly aggresive makes it difficult to show compassion or empathy.