Do you have a friend who is a Debbie Downer?

I made a new friend and almost every day he tells me about a new depressing story. This one died, this one is sick, this one is a jerk...I really dont want to hear it.
Got another bad message form him this morning. Ugh.
You can only take so much depressing stories before you don't want ot hear it anymore. What would you do? Would you tell him he's depressing you? Make a joke about how he's a Debbie Downer? Or say nothing and just suck it up?
By Marc | 06/14/2014 12:29 PM | 9 comments
Comments are disabled for this blog post.
  • I think we might have the same debbie downer friend. My "debbie" and i have been friends for many years (about 15 years). the last 5 he has become "debbie". The past 6 months has been the worst. Everyday he comes over to talk about his life and himself. He doesnt let me speak, interrupts me in mid sentence to talk about himself. He even goes as far as to pound on my windows and when he doesn't get a response he just walks in through the door. He even came in my back door because the front one was locked. i know i have to address this with him but i am going through my crap right now and don't have the patience to deal with it. i have been locking all my doors and put a do not disturb sign up. i'm going to follow this post to see what kind of advice you get. thanks for posting.
    mrqueer 06/23/2014 11:27 PM
  • Non-Psychically speaking, more than ten years ago, I worked in a local supermarket, and I had a co-manager, who once taught me, "Only talk to people who can help you solve your problems."

    In other words, the next time your friend has a complaint, you may want to ask him who he contacted to help him with that problem.

    For example, if I had a problem with my supervisor, yes, I could talk to a friend about it, but ultimately I would need to speak to my supervisor, or to his or her supervisor. That way, I was speaking to someone who could help me overcome my problem, as opposed to simply complaining and fretting over it, thereby causing me (and others) more stress and pain.
    thetarotman 06/17/2014 03:28 PM
  • As a professional Psychic, I have often advised my clients to stay away from psychic vampires, especially if they are or are beginning to embark upon a Spiritual Path.

    I do not Sense your friend is a bad person, but he may see your Energy and want it for himself, and may take it by sharing all these depressing things about his life.

    And I fully agree with beht on his comments (and not just because he has a stellar cock!).
    thetarotman 06/17/2014 03:24 PM
  • I have a niece who is always one to call to tell me the latest bad news, horror story, depressing fact. I tend to respond with "yeah, but.....*positive thing*". If/when she continues being a "Debbie Downer", I flat out ask her.."Hon, does anything good EVER happen in your world? If so, tell me about it. If not...well, I have other things to do.... like file my nails."
    But then, I'm known for being sarcastic and blunt.
    greyhawk 06/15/2014 04:46 PM
  • If you don't want to be so blunt, you could always just lightly say something like, "Cmon guy, lighten up!"
    BearinFW 06/15/2014 03:38 PM
  • tell him the truth! either he accepts it or he can leave you alone.. FRIENDS are hard to get and keep. He needs to know how you feel. Thats my 2 cents.
    carymannc 06/15/2014 06:23 AM
  • It depends what friendship means to you. A friend as I understand it, would try to help him. There is a reason for him being so.
    Wish you to be lucky.
    art4you 06/15/2014 03:37 AM
  • Hey when someone is amidst a bunch of shit, they often can't see beyond it. Being a real friend is dealing with the good, the bad, and the indifferent. Maybe you were brought into his life to help him see through this and perhaps blosson into one of the most incredible people you have ever encountered? Maybe not? My advice is to discuss it if he is willing? If you don't? You never will know. Aslo, often someone who can be so aware of other's plights are often some of the most sensitive and caring people in the world and feel other's pain and distress more readily. So, I ask you...ask yourself..."What is the better friend? The aloof insensitive asshole? Or the sensitive sypathetic and empathetic friend?" Of course, if he isn't willing to discuss or hear you,.. and the issue? Then he's co-depentant as hell and maybe it's too much to deal with? You ultimately have to decide. But, hey if you don't find out? You'll never know! I hope this is helpful? Good Luck!
    redglowbes 06/15/2014 02:08 AM
  • Send him the same wording (rewritten to address it directly to him) and the same graphic as you sent to this blog. Ask him to excuse your bluntness, but if you are to go on being friends, you are happy to talk about a problem he is having, but that he should PLEASE stop overwhelming you with complaints. Then ask him to give you positive feedback about what you wrote plus some positive things from his life that counter the compaints.
    rjzip 06/14/2014 11:02 PM