How can i fake compassion/sympathy?

I’m not a particularly emotional person and it drives people away or leads to them viewing me as insensitive or untrustworthy?

I don’t like to talk about my emotions and I often don’t know how to respond when others are extremely open and emotional. When I try to feign concern, it usually just comes off as wooden and fake. For that reason I usually end up as the least favourite friend or the ones just tagging along with the group.

How can I convincingly fake compassion and empathy for other people’s problems so I can be better liked?

Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 14 )
  • countingsleep

    listen to the way other people talk and imitate it lol it isn't that hard

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Maniac_Squid

    Faking it isn't good. If you want to care and be better liked, then be straight forward. Tell them that you don't think you can help them, but also try to help point them to who can. There's a lot of people out there who don't know how to help others, so don't stress being an outsider.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Ummitsstillme

      This

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Tealights

    Practice.

    Understand that a majority of people are selfish and want to feel important or understood without caring how others feel. Which means you have the upperhand, because you rather not share your feelings at all, meaning you can make the other person feel super important that someone listens to their rambling without interruptions.

    All you need to do is practice facial expressions and learn a few catch phrases that can blend in well with any mindless conversation.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • In short, you can’t.

    But everyone has different ways of expressing their feelings. Perhaps when your friend is feeling sad, maybe they just want someone to listen. So do that, or offer to by them food. or whatever

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • leggs91200

    Say things like "Oh cry me a river" or if someone is struggling, point out what they should or should not have done that landed them in that mess. Mock people's stupidity and ignorance.

    Well, those are the ways people taught ME about compassion.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • ijustwannaknowifimodd

    I'd either straight up tell people you're not extremely emotional, or in order to fake it, you have to listen to people really well. You'll notice that a lot of the time, people just want a listening ear. Occasionally, repeat what they've said but change the sentence structure. Say 'mm' and 'mmmhm' a lot. Idk man that's the best I can do.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • tobey-kitty

    Imitate their body language but not to much where it’s glaringly obvious

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • WeirdGuyFromTheSouth

    Don't try to fake it. Its ok to not be sensitive. Its actually a good thing.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • brutus

    Learn to act, watch a lot of movies.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • LloydAsher

    Oh it’s easy, just try to match the tone.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Imagine whatever is upsetting them is happening to you. or pretend ya pet lizard died.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • SKDM007

    sociopath alert

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • WeirdGuyFromTheSouth

      Probably not. He was probably just raised by a military type father figure.

      Comment Hidden ( show )