Answer Wall: My best friend (ex-best friend) did Sth terrible (super terrible:( ) to me, and I chose to stop being her friend.

Answer Wall: My best friend (ex-best friend) did Sth terrible (super terrible:( ) to me, and I chose to stop being her friend. Now I feel terrible for not feeling like to forgive her to see her at all. I know this sounds really cruel. But I don't really know how to deal w/these kinds of things. I was taught to be a "kind" person my whole life. No one told me how to be a bitch. How do you reconcile your own feeling and ethics?
Answer Wall: My best friend (ex-best friend) did Sth terrible (super terrible:( ) to me, and I chose to stop being her friend. Now I feel terrible for not feeling like to forgive her to see her at all. I know this sounds really cruel. But I don’t really know how to deal w/these kinds of things. I was taught to be a “kind” person my whole life. No one told me how to be a bitch. How do you reconcile your own feeling and ethics?

You’re being too hard on yourself. Breaking up a friendship because someone does something super terrible to you does not make you a bitch or unkind or unethical! Take some of your lifelong training to be kind and turn it inward. Maybe at some point you’ll feel that you can forgive her (and maybe not), but it’s really OK to not be ready to do that now. If this is tearing you up inside and making you miserable, please consider talking to someone more 3 dimensional than me, at Counseling Services bit.ly/BC-counseling.

Why venture into a romantic relationship if risks include losing the existing friendship?

Why venture into a romantic relationship if risks include losing the existing friendship?
Why venture into a romantic relationship if risks include losing the existing friendship?

Ah. But what if your friend could become your world? Making the decision to risk a friendship for something more is tough. But this is a classic example of “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. There’s no guarantee that you would lose the friendship if the relationship goes poorly. And there’s no guarantee the friendship would survive whether there’s a relationship or not. We don’t know what the future holds, but it would be a shame to look back and wonder what could have been.

Why [name redacted] can’t smile?

Why can't [name redacted] smile?
Why can’t [name redacted] smile?

It’s almost certainly not “can’t”. Maybe [name redacted] doesn’t feel like it, or is thinking over something complicated, or only smiles among close friends, or comes from a culture that thinks smiling for no reason makes you look like an idiot. bit.ly/bc-smile. It might be interesting to think about why you think they should smile, and whether that’s more about you than them.

Why can’t I understand [name redacted]?

Why can't I understand [name redacted]?
Why can’t I understand [name redacted]?

Hm. Not sure. Do you mean you can’t comprehend the words they speak, or something deeper, like their nature or character, or perhaps their perspective? If you can remain comfortable with ambiguity, sometimes people you can’t initially understand can offer you new perspectives that enrich your life.

What do I do? This guy from out of state really likes me but I don’t wanna get in a relationship! #HELP but he seems like a really nice person?

What do I do? This guy from out of state really likes me but I don't wanna get in a relationship! #HELP but he seems like a really nice person?
What do I do? This guy from out of state really likes me but I don’t wanna get in a relationship! #HELP but he seems like a really nice person?

I think you’ve made it clear you don’t want a relationship (however nice he may be) and that is sufficient. You do not owe anyone a relationship. I would advise being polite but direct. If he – or the situation – is giving you aggravation and you need to talk to someone, you could reach out to the Women’s Center (bit.ly/BC-WC) or University Counseling services (bit.ly/BC-counseling).

Why is [redacted name] better than [redacted name]?

Why is [redacted name] better than [redacted name]?
Why is [redacted name] better than [redacted name]?

According to what criteria? I don’t think people can really be compared that way. Not only might you make a mistake in judgement (a certain man was poor at math in school & then changed the world as a brilliant physicist), but you risk overlooking someone’s virtues. Everyone’s worthy of love. What the world needs is love, not comparisons, not even in jest.

What to do as a single on Valentine’s day?

What to do as a single on Valentine's day?
What to do as a single on Valentine’s day?

I know Valentine’s Day can seem like it’s only for those in romantic relationships, but there’s plenty to do with friends or flying solo. Did you know BC students get free admission to a number of museums in the Boston-area? bit.ly/BCMuseums If you’d rather hang out with Olympians (or at least enthusiasts), this list of Winter Olympics-themed spots and events in Boston looks like it might be fun: bit.ly/BostonOlympics. Whatever you end up doing, you’ve always got an admirer in me!

How do I tell my meat loving girlfriend that I’m vegan?

How do I tell my meat loving girlfriend that I'm vegan? [reply] Don't be a vegan.
How do I tell my meat loving girlfriend that I’m vegan? [reply] Don’t be a vegan.

If being a vegan is an important part of your identity, you must tell her. If you can’t tell her about an important part of your identity, that’s a problem, and it has to do with trust, not with veganism. If it’s not really all that important to you, then telling her shouldn’t be a problem. Right? (But wait… don’t you ever eat together? why wouldn’t she already know? Have you actively been hiding it?) As to the reply, “Don’t be a vegan”: Hm. Well. I’m a post-it-arian, so far be it from me to criticize or attempt to manage someone else’s dietary practices.

Why is [redacted] (2021er MCAS) so nice!!!!!

Why is [redacted] (2021er MCAS) so nice!!!!! [phrase in Chinese]
Why is [redacted] (2021er MCAS) so nice!!!!! In Chinese: and old.

There’s just no explaining some people, whose nice-ness (niceousity?) is so radiant that you just have to stand back and appreciate it, and hope you can absorb some yourself. I recommend giving your friend a shout-out in person. (Sorry I had the name redacted: I follow a privacy policy so strict that it makes my assistants think I’m a little obsessive.) “And old”? Is that an in-joke in Beijing or something? I don’t get it.

I like someone but I am afraid to tell her! What should I do?

I like someone but I am afraid to tell her! What should I do?
I like someone but I am afraid to tell her! What should I do?

Many humans seem to have trouble with this. The Wall thinks of it this way: If you tell her in a respectful way that gives her a chance to have an honest reaction, the worst case scenario is she’s not interested and things are a little awkward for a while. The best case scenario, that you tell her and she’s interested, is vastly better than the worst case is bad.

Why Giammario is still single?

Why Giammario is still single?
Why Giammario is still single?

I have been asked several times about how one finds true love and when one can be sure they have found their life partner. The answers are never simple. So, perhaps Giammario is also still trying to figure this out.

I love my bf

I love my bf
I love my bf

Ah, love… I hear there’s a special day coming up, one on which humans declare their love for each other. Just make sure you don’t miss it! It’s a Wednesday. (But you don’t need to wait until then to tell your inamorato your feelings!)

How does someone w/ high functioning Autism make new friends?

How does someone w/ high functioning Autism make new friends?
How does someone w/ high functioning Autism make new friends?

Sometimes autism makes it hard to understand what others are thinking, including whether or not they want to be your friend. I suggest you start off being around people with similar interests (clubs, classes, hobbies, etc.). If someone in that group seems like friend-material, spend more time with them. Let the friendship grow slowly. Understand that some people have many friends and others have only a few. Those with many friends may not always have time to spend with you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like you. As you get comfortable with a friend, let them know about your autism and how it affects your interactions with others. Being up front about that will help them know how to be a better friend. There are many websites with advice for people with autism. Just like with my advice, you should try what feels comfortable and don’t do something just because it was suggested.

<3 I’ll be friends with you! <3 Me too! Me too! <3 🙂 you’re not alone

Thank you original poster for spreading awareness … and thanks to subsequent posters for your replies. The Wall feels blessed to be part of a community where people care for each other. <3 <3 <3

How can you overcome jealousy?

How can you overcome jealousy?
How can you overcome jealousy?

There are many books on the subject of jealousy around the call number BF575.J4, such as Romantic Jealousy: Causes, Symptoms, Cures. Jealousy is an apprehensive, fearful emotional state that comes from a lack of trust. If you find you’re often jealous, you need to work on trust. The counseling office (bit.ly/BC-counseling) can help. If this is a specific situation with a specific person, have they done something to abuse your trust? If so, it’s unlikely you can overcome that without some effort from them. If not, then work on trust.

How do I rekindle my relationship?

How do I rekindle my relationship?
How do I rekindle my relationship?

I found love in the HQ801s, up on the fourth floor. But I’m not sure you’d find an easy answer there. Skimming through relationship advice columns, I culled some pointers: listen actively, learn new things about your partner, watch romantic movies together… And give it some time – feelings ebb and flow.

How would I find a boyfriend as a guy?

How would I find a boyfriend as a guy?
How would I find a boyfriend as a guy?

While there are places and apps that make hooking up easy, they don’t work well for someone trying to find a meaningful same-sex relationship. The best way to find a partner is the same for any gender configuration– join groups that bring together people that share your interests or ask friends to introduce you to potential mates. Above all be casual about the process; it always takes longer than you want. Just remember that there is someone out there who is also looking for you, and you will find each other. You might start with BC resources: bit.ly/BCLGBTQ and even the Commonwealth has a website for LGBTQ youth: bit.ly/MA-lgbtq