Carolyn Hax: Friend demands ‘happy’ topics, then breaks her own rule

A letter-writer's longtime friend refuses to have conversations about negative topics – unless she brings them up herself. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Advice to help you tackle life's problems.     (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) Friend demands 'happy' topics, then breaks her own rule Dear Carolyn: I have a very dear, long-term friend who is increasingly unable to talk about anything involving negative information. She quite literally has begun having physical reactions to conversations about politics, current events and anything she deems too "deep," such as philosophy, religion and psychology. She frequently tells me to not bring up "x," where x is whatever constitutes the uncomfortable subject du jour. But here's the kicker: She feels quite free to bring up all kinds of [stuff] herself, including the aforementioned "x," but as soon as I respond, she folds up like a cheap tent and declares she only wants to talk about happy stuff. Is it worth challenging her on this, or should I just reframe her as someone I simply can't have a meaningful conversation with anymore? — Frustrated Friend Read Carolyn's Response     ADVERTISEMENT   Want more? Carolyn's been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. Mom gives you a calendar, but she wants to be your monthly planner Read more »   Grown child is paying for not doing it parents' way Read more »   Grown stepdaughter's fridge-raiding has really gotten old Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Lean & Fit for expert advice on how to eat right, get lean and stay fit, including curated healthy recipes every Wednesday. Sign up »

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