Quote:
Originally Posted by RoxanneToto
I find it very difficult to express condolences, for the same reasons given in the OP. I still have to bite the bullet occasionally, as I work in a nursing home. I keep things brief and be as kind/professional as possible; I’m not in a role where I’d be directly supporting family members who have just lost someone, but my manager is. I’ve seen a few different reactions, too. Never anything really negative or angry but if it did happen, I know it’s about the other person’s pain, not me.
As said, it does depend on the relationship you have with the individual(s) and how they deal with that grief, which you can’t really know for certain either. Some people appear to be handling it well in public but can be falling apart in private, after all.
|
Yep I totally agree. And yeah I can see how your profession may force you to give condolences at times. Yeah I've seen various reactions too. Another reaction I've observed is someone first being okay with others giving condolences or bringing it up, but then after awhile, they start getting sick of it which is totally understandable. Like someone may say, "Okay, I really appreciate all the love and support, but I'm getting sick of hearing it now." Basically they just want to move on which is totally understandable.
And yeah, it all depends on how close you were. I would never have known some people, even coworkers, had lost someone if I didn't hear about it through text or email due to how well they were handling it on the outside. I'm sure they were devastated on the inside but wanted to keep it private. I'm that way too. I've found out someone has died while I'm at work and I would continue on like nothing had happened, no one suspected a thing.