sympathy

Sympathy differs from empathy in the following ways:

With sympathy, the helper:

Helps within his/her comfort zone
Makes a cursory judgment of the person's needs
Often will get upset when it is explicitly revealed that their help is misguided or unwelcome (after a long buildup)
May feel as if he or she is the 'mentor', or the 'superior'

With empathy, the helper:

Relates to the person on a personal basis
Forms a deep emotional bond with the person on many levels
Learns to see the situation from the person's perspective
Sees the person more as an equal, and 'walks in their shoes'.

The two should not be confused. More often than not, sympathy is the form of 'caring' that is given to those in need, and can be quite misguided, especially in dire situations that most are not used to dealing with. Most therapists, teachers, and unfortunately parents will often give this kind of 'help' to a troubled or very upset person. However, if they were willing to step outside their comfort zones, they could learn how to relate effectively.

Despite these huge differences, many indeed DO confuse the two.

I don't want your sympathy, I've had just about enough of it.

by Shadow Creator December 6, 2007

Sympathy whore

Someone who insists on expounding every detail about every issue in their life every time they see you in hopes you'll feel bad for them. Somehow these people always have a lot of terrible things happen to them. Even though you do feel bad for them, you get tired of hearing about it.

Andrew cornered me in the hall and updated me on his sister's crippling car crash, his mother's botched dialysis, his divorce, and how his cat died last week, even though he just told me yesterday. He's such a sympathy whore.

by ViviWannabe June 27, 2009

Sympathy baiter

Like anglers hunting for fish, these sad sacks cast out their hooks -- baited with vague tales of woe -- in the hopes of landing concerned responses. Genuine bad news is one thing, but these manipulative posts are just pleas for attention.

The Sympathy Baiter. "Barbara is feeling sad today." "Man, am I glad that's over." "Jim could really use some good news about now."

by aliboi2232 December 14, 2009

sympathy throwdown

Having sex with someone as you feel sorry for them. Typically used when either instigator has just left a relationship.

'Ciara was a bit pissed jake left her, so I gave her a sympathy throwdown'

by Monty Bob July 23, 2007

Simpathy

When a simp feels sorry for a woman he is showing her simpathy

Simps usually show a woman simpathy

by SaltedPeanutsInACan June 24, 2020

sympathy flush

When one flushes at any point during (midway through) "number two" as an attempt to reduce/diminish the overall smell.

One could request a "sympathy flush" from the individual in the adjoining stall of a restroom, should one experience an unpleasant odour. "Ummm...I think that merits/merited a sympathy flush. Dude - did you have mexican for lunch?"

by Kooky23 October 19, 2009

Sympathy Sale

A sale made because the customer feels sorry for a store-owner that stands there forever never selling anything.

Usually made after walking past the store/stall on separate occasions and seeing zero customers every time.

Sonia: Hey, have you ever seen that guy with the hot corn in the mall actually sell any?

Andy: Nah I never have, I kinda feel sorry for him.

Sonia: Yeah same, that's why I bought some corn today, he was freakin ecstatic!

Andy: Ahh, a sympathy sale. Nice.

by HPfag February 6, 2010