In friendship, no news is good news if you do these six things.
Friendships are special. Your own little community of kindred spirits. Some time to spare? They spend it with you. Do you need a second opinion on your brunch outfit? They are on the other end of a video call.
They received good news and they need someone to ride that happy with. That’s you. So here’s what not to do when that happy call comes through.
1. Don’t be salty
Maybe you didn’t get that raise that you really wanted. Your other friend Alicia got engaged last week and now Priscilla calls you and tells you she got lucky on Bitcoin and has stumbled upon sudden wealth.
You’re feeling a little bit in the dumps because everyone is winning and it looks like it’s just you that isn’t. It stings but now is not the time. Indulge her happiness!
2. Do not overcompensate
You are not overly expressive and your friend is screaming jumping up for joy and hugging you. You don’t have it in you to scream too and you feel like your subtle smile and grunts of approval won’t do. Your voice will crack at those unfamiliar motions if you push to match her energy so appreciate her in your subtle dignified manner.
3. Do not laugh
I know. I know. You think that it’s a pyramid scheme but she just got her first returns and wants to put all the money back. It has been whispered in the group chat that she is quite gullible. Celebrate her and then give her gentle insight. You’re allowed a fond smile at the end of the call and the thought that she must be protected at all costs.
4. Do not be negative
Okay. She said yes to that man’s proposal. The same man who cheated on her a year ago and that was rumored to be in one of her colleagues’ DMs. You know it’s a bad idea. You have told her time and time before that you think she deserves better. She is smiling so big and flaunting her ring. Everything you want to say, you have already said before. Take a deep breath. Tell her her ring is lovely.
5. Do not bring in your own news
She just told the entire friend group that she is expecting a baby. They’re all chatty now. Everyone is alive with the news. You can’t quite participate because you’re too excited and you can’t wait to tell them how you finally got enough money for the new apartment. But now is not the time. You deserve a moment all of your own, and so does she.
6. Do not gossip
Deep inside, you know that perhaps their good news did not make you happy. You are salty. You think you are better than them and like they don’t deserve it. You are feeling all sorts of ways about the fact that your friend is so happy. You want to talk about her and just dim that light. Just a little bit. It is normal to feel that way, but avoid following through.
