Had a friend tell me my "helpful" advice was just showing off and it stung but they were right

So I had this buddy from my old job who kept saying when I gave him tips on fixing his car or saving money, it came off like I was bragging. I thought I was just being helpful, you know? But after he stopped answering my texts for like 3 months, I realized he had a point. I used to jump in with solutions before anyone even asked, like telling him to switch to a cheaper insurance plan when he just wanted to vent about a dent on his bumper. Now I wait until someone actually says "what would you do" before I open my mouth. Has anyone else had a friend call them out on being a know-it-all and did you actually change how you talk to people?

3 comments

3 Comments

betty_kelly928d ago

Wait, so we're all just out here playing mind reader roulette now?

lee8471mo agoMost Upvoted

Yeah but the funny thing is I used to be the exact opposite, I never gave anyone advice even when they begged me for it. I had this whole thing where I thought offering opinions made me look like a jerk so I just sat there nodding while people made terrible choices. Then my sister got into a really bad financial mess because I didn't tell her the credit card she was signing up for had a hidden fee structure. She got super mad and said I was being a bad friend by not speaking up. So now I'm stuck in this weird middle ground where I ask people first if they want my thoughts and honestly it's exhausting trying to read everyone's mood. Sometimes I miss the days when I just kept my mouth shut and let people figure things out on their own.

murphy.aaron1mo ago

Don't you think it's a bit unfair to yourself to say you were a bad friend? You can't read minds, and people deserve a little responsibility for their own choices too.