How are you at breaking bad news to people?

[purplepoppy]

Breaking bad news is never easy. Some go in gentle, others like a sledgehammer, others leave it to someone else.

But how are you at breaking bad news.

[Orion84]

That depends on who you ask.

I think I'm very good at giving people bad news, because I have no qualms about doing so. I'm very blunt, and direct. "Hey, your brother tried to light his own fart, and accidentally burned your house down."

If someone prefers more tact and empathy, well then they're going to be disappointed, because I don't do that. Whether I sugarcoat it, or not, your brother still burned the house down, and the end result is the same. One method just delays the grieving process.

People in that second group probably think I suck at it. 🤷

[Finchie40]

Depends on what the bad news is , if someone died , I try to be sympathetic about it. I tend to put myself in someone else’s shoes before I open my mouth and think how I would feel if I was them. Other bad news I tend to get straight to the point , without really sugarcoating shit ,

[jennifer_bloom]

That is a funny story. I usually just say it, but I might change my tone to weaken the blow.

[queenofcardio]

I can be direct about it. I prefer it given to me slowly

[AviatorTom]

Poor cat!

Giving someone bad news is usually hard to do, though it depends on the severity of the bad news.

When I tell someone bad news, I try to be as succinct as possible, keeping it factual, not emtional, while trying to understand and empathize with the person who's getting the bad news.

[MrChinaski]

Doctor: Well, I've got good news and bad news.

Patient: Okay, tell me the good news first.

Doctor: You've got 24 hours to live.

Patient: Oh, heck doctor. What will I do? My wife, my children... then what's the bad news.

Doctor: I meant to tell you yesterday.

[CuriousTenya]

Probably not the best at it. I developed a strategy to maintain a neutral tone (at least as I am delivering the main part), be brief with it + focus on my pronunciation*

*I used to mumble when I don't like to say something. Terrible habit.

[spartan55]

I don't know how first responders do it, and do it repeatedly. One of many reasons I could never do those jobs.

[OneViewpoint]

I am the one who everyone around me comes to when the shit hits the fan. Handle it, fix it, deliver the message. Because I can absorb it.

[NathanDavis]

it really depends on how bad the news are... and also what kind of person they are

case by case scenario...

[Chazmatazz269]

I am extremely pragmatic. They get the bad news straight unless they ask for sugar. How they take it is entirely up to them.

[Nikki1989]

I am about as subtle as a sledgehammer.

[rgb008]

I have had to do it many times in my job. it is not easy, but I am good at it.

[Likes2drive]

Got a good laugh at that one when reading it but when breaking the bad news to someone, I just basically say it kind of softly

[onmyradar]

There's no good way to do it. Not one good way because everyone reacts differently. Try to be as gentle as possible and when you can, do it in person, or at least over the phone, text is a bit impersonal.

[jshm2]

It's actually quite easy. It's just information after all, so you address it the way the person can understand it.

[gasman70]

I'm really good at breaking news to people, even bad news. a lot of it has to do with the delivery which you can't just say, tell them these words.

[Account]

I was very direct in conveying bad news, but I learned to be gentle.

[coachTanthony]

Nobody got time for that lol rip it off like a band aid and move on with your life.

[jaksone2]

I’m not the best at it 😂 I usually try to be honest, but I will say it as gently as possible

[RavVid]

Not a task I want to do but I am told I do it well. Straight up with compassion.

[Shiprex]

This is not a hard thing to do. A wee bit of empathy can go a long way.

[LiamJHayden]

Not very good at it. No real experience. My dad passed away but that left me as the only family so...

[Anonymous]

I use the direct approach.

You're not as funny as you think you are.

[Agape93]

Very good. I have 0 problem doing so

[FreyaRed]

Emotionless but with respect.

[Drumlin2001]

In person if possible, or on phone. Not by text

[Eleni920]

I try to break it slowly.

[robocop666]

I guess I just say it

[eagle1951]

I hate it , but i do alright

[TonyMetal___1986]

🤣🤣

[Paige2006]

Not good

[Despina1103]

Pretty blunt.