[StephenT]

As a child I wasn't taught how to stand up for myself. Sometimes when I tried I was beaten. Sometimes when I tried I was made to feel my opinion didn't matter and I was taken advantage of. I'd rather be beaten.

When someone thinks I've done something to hurt them, or when they are just angry at themselves and see me as a victim. I might think it safer to keep to myself and say nothing.

Often that may be exactly the right thing to do.. but sometimes people take advantage for a long time. When I ask why they don't want to tell me, so that says something. However, I must still be allowing myself to be taken advantage of.

[Yaowen]

I can DEFINITELY empathize with you on what you wrote!

[Marie123]

I think it is necessary to respond to hurtful people. I know how hard it is. I have had to work on it. You can do it in a kind way.....when you said.....it made me feel.....quite often the person who said something hurtful will say they didn't mean it, etc., but I think it is important to speak up.