Empathy

Exactly Jalima . I only know that, when I see a young child who is suffering, for example, it tears my heart in two. But it seems wrong, patronising almost, to say "I sympathise with you". So is it empathy that's felt?

I don't know, but I can feel the pain of someone who may be on the television and has lost a child, is a very young refugee fleeing horrors.

I can't give them sympathy, I don't know them but I can imagine what they are going through.

Is that empathy?

Feeling sympathy....isn't the same as 'giving' sympathy. How can you give sympathy??

I can empathise with how a person may be feeling.
I dont often give sympathy
I find sympathy can be most unhelpful.

So.... is it empathy or sympathy that we feel when we see refugees, homelessness or tragedies unfolding on our screens? I haven't experienced any of these but I know that I feel bad for them. Which is it, sympathy or empathy?

Like Anya, I find it easier to empathise with someone if I've experienced what they're going through. But I sympathise with someone who, for example, is going through awful financial difficulties, and is struggling to find a way through. Good question though, it's got me thinking.

Merlot the best line from Carry On Cleo,' Infamy! Infamy! they've all got it in for me!'
Empathy and sympathy do get mixed up.

When someone is in a situation that I have experienced myself, yes, I can emphasise. Otherwise it is sympathy.

Are you confusing empathy with sympathy? If you can empathise with a person and understand them then you can also form a opinion that they should 'get a grip' as you say.

What you are lacking is sympathy. You don't feel sorry for them. Empathy is the abilty to understand another person, to accept where he/she is coming from (to use the jargon).
What you then do depends on your experience and knowledge of their personal situation.

Some people are to blame fo their own messed up lives

Empathy, empathy. They've all got it empathy.

A much overused word these days.

Well on a 1-1 personal level I occasionallyI fee a bit guillable as I always try to look for the good in people and maybe over empathise sometimes. E.G. if someone is rude/angry etc I try to understand why etc. But I prefer that way tha n always believing the worst of people or reacting negatively and then finding the reason for their behaviour is a result of somethig dreadful.

In the bigger context I do work hard to see things from others' perspectives but even when I understand their position I might still disagree with their behaviours and attitudes. I am a bit of a softy really!

Sometimes I do then other times I really want people to get a grip. Bit low on tolerance my husband says.

Generally yes.
Do you Penstemmon ?