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

Charlie Simpson

A dude that used to be in a boyband called Busted.

He has incredibly large eyebrows/slugs.

He is now in a band called Fightstar.

Charlie Simpson has very big eyebrows O.o;

by Emicat January 1, 2006

Ashlee Simpson

dumbass who ruined the Orange Bowl with her non-singing.

I loved the Orange Bowl.
I hate Ashlee Simpson

by Russ Man August 26, 2005

Simpsons

A good show with humor of epic proportions. Some of the newer series are a litlle disapointing, but these episodes are still better than anything else.

You don't like the SImpsons? WHITCH!

by Total Dylan January 10, 2005

Bart Simpson Syndrome

Children of neglectful parents often view any attention as good attention. They may do bad things like knock over trash cans in front of adults to get yelled at. The same people grow up to spew hateful and ignorant crap on the internet for the same reason. They have little to no friends and reading angry responses to their posts is the highlight of their day. Don't hate these pitiful bastards, feel sorry for them.

Steve: "Did you see the comment that guy wrote on youtube? What's his problem?"

Ron: "He's got Bart Simpson syndrome."

by xXJesterPsychoticXx August 23, 2010

ashlee simpson

a total poser who sings so horrible that they have to blame everyone other than themselves for their talentless drone of a human being self. Please, close all doors, lock all windows, and stay as far away from the presence of her as you can. Dont turn the television or radio on. Shes all over it. Oh, and isn't it ironic how she said she never lip-synced but then she made excuses for doing it, then once again said she didnt? Hm....

"Like, OMG! It was my daddys fault i lip-synced. No, it was the drummer! No it was my acid reflux! NO! It was the ice cream man!"
Hah. I also heard that Ashlee is going to label her new cd "It was YOUR fault"

by Marissa F- yo May 13, 2005

oj simpson

A man would like to know if you think you can steal his shit.

oj simpson: "You think you can steal my shit?!"

by olshan February 25, 2008