How Not to Listen

EMPATHY BLOCKER EXAMPLES

Downplaying: "Oh, don't cry. I'm sure it's not that bad!" ... "It's not the end of the world."

Denial: "There is nothing wrong; nothing for you to be upset about. Everything is OK."

Reasoning: "Don't cry. Can't you see that the other child didn't mean to hurt you?"

The positive spin: "Look on the bright side. Can't you see, this probably happened for a good reason?"

Cheering up: "Don't worry." ... "Here, let me tell you something funny I heard the other day." ... "Here, have an ice cream. That'll cheer you up."

Advising/giving options: "Why don't you try doing this, or that?" ... "I think you should just ignore that so-and-so."

The expectation: "You should have known better." ... "Get over it." ... "Don't let it get to you."

Put down: "Don't be silly." ... "Don't be ridiculous."

Diagnosing/labeling: "You are being over-sensitive."

Distracting/diverting: "Hey, have a look at the pretty puppet."

Stealing the thunder: "Now you know how I felt when the same thing happened to me."

http://www.naturalchild.org/robin_grille/emotions.html