Ptang is dead right,they WANT you to feel bad.
Try this from assertiveness training: If anyone says
a negative to you,instead of being silent just reply,
"Yeah,you COULD be right",or "Yeah,possibly",
or "Yeah,I can understand why you might think
that". That last one is just gobbeldy gook,and means
nothing,but puzzles the critic. The first2 are only
PROBABILITIES,and again leaves critic puzzled
and non-plussed .They COULD be right,but you
know better!
Respectfully,
BLUEDOVE