# I don't even know how to respond to this... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799 "2015-02-04T12:39:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/81 "2015-02-07T23:29:10Z")
> [@chachacha](#): > > Wouldn’t that make me a lamb chop?? LOL Probably, but are you stuffed? Then you might be [Julius](https://www.google.com/search?q=julius+the+sock+monkey&rlz=1C1SAVI_enUS598US598&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kJ7WVI-MM4m7ggS1-oLIBg&ved=0CB8QsAQ&biw=1600&bih=756). ---
**Author:** ![chachacha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@chachacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chachacha)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/82 "2015-02-08T01:44:45Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > Muffin, I think “furry” is the one melodramatic thing she hasn’t included in this story. Amen to that!! I feel an epic rant of my own coming on…I empathize with people who may have some mental health issues but that empathy goes away when I know an otherwise intelligent person who relishes in spewing legal and medical knowledge begins to use, abuse, twist, turn, lie, manipulate and berate others. Its not like this chick is a dodo. She has her own business, owns a nice home which according to all reports is kept pristine, literally treats her dogs as kids with frequent groomings and spendy dog clothes…in other words, this is not an obviously struggling individual. I know grief can trigger strange behaviors but somebody needs to blow this chick’s addled bubble and smack her with a reality check :mad: ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/83 "2015-02-08T02:12:33Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > And why on earth would you make up a boyfriend when you’re in your late 40s? WHY? It’s really not that hard to understand. There aren’t a whole lot of unattached 40-somethings roaming the planet. It’s not the most pleasant position to be the only one in the group who doesn’t have someone. Especially if you’ve been going through a long dry spell. I used to struggle with talking to people on Monday mornings because the conversation would always turn to weekend activities. I’d feel anxious because I knew I wouldn’t have anything interesting to say, and I was always worried about intrusive questions that would leave me naked and exposed. It was my psychotherapist who encouraged me to make stuff up. It’s just idle chit-chat after all, and no one really cares what anyone does on the weekend anyway. And it worked. I lost some of my fear of the dreaded Monday morning debriefing sessions. So I can see how someone could be addicted to a cover story. Personally, I wouldn’t bring it up with your friend unless she just won’t shut up about it. She’s more pitiable than anything. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/84 "2015-02-08T02:15:56Z")
> [@chachacha](#): > > somebody needs to blow this chick’s addled bubble and smack her with a reality check :mad: [raises hand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cDAqrywsHE) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/85 "2015-02-08T02:39:45Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > > [@chachacha](#): > > > > … I know grief can trigger strange behaviors but somebody needs to blow this chick’s addled bubble and smack her with a reality check :mad: > > raises hand So now a guy who styles himself as “Spiderman” intends to inject reality into the situation. Hmmm. This is getting too weird for me. I’m out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![chachacha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@chachacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chachacha)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/86 "2015-02-08T04:16:22Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > So now a guy who styles himself as “Spiderman” intends to inject reality into the situation. Hmmm. > This is getting too weird for me. I’m out. 😃 LMAO! Actually he fancied himself Horshack which is even weirder 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chachacha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@chachacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chachacha)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/87 "2015-02-08T04:23:06Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Personally, I wouldn’t bring it up with your friend unless she just won’t shut up about it. She’s more pitiable than anything. She won’t shut up about it…each day brings a whole nother layer of ridiculous and fantastical new ways to stoke the attention train and suck the sympathy teat. P People aren’t this crazy when real people die ☹ ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/88 "2015-02-08T04:26:08Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Well, if she is a sock & you talked to her last night, would that make you Shari Lewis? MMmmmmm, I love lamb! ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/89 "2015-02-08T05:56:37Z")
I for one am not disposed to turn a blind eye on the delusion and deliberate lies of acquaintances. ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/90 "2015-02-08T16:24:55Z")
If you get together regularly with this group that includes this person, then maybe it’s time to call her on her lies and start excluding her from the get-togethers, assuming the rest of the group agrees. The alternative is to approach the woman and tell her you know she’s lying and you aren’t going to put up with it anymore, but she has your sympathy and she can tell you her problems. Starting with being sympathetic to a troubled person is a good path to take in my view, but if it gets bad and you feel used, there’s no reason to stick around. I don’t think completely ignoring it is the proper response here ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/91 "2015-02-08T16:26:36Z")
Or you could play into her delusions. For fun and forum fodder. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/92 "2015-02-08T18:05:38Z")
> [@chachacha](#): > > Amen to that!! I feel an epic rant of my own coming on…I empathize with people who may have some mental health issues but that empathy goes away when I know an otherwise intelligent person who relishes in spewing legal and medical knowledge begins to use, abuse, twist, turn, lie, manipulate and berate others. I don’t think there’s any “may” about it. If this woman hasn’t been taken in by a catfish then what you and **Grumpy Cat** have been describing is the behavior of a crazy person. I don’t know what specific type of crazy, and it’s possible that George Glass started off as a non-crazy white lie, but from what you’ve been saying it sure sounds like Cathy is suffering from some sort of psychotic break. I say this not because I think you should be more sympathetic towards her – to be honest, I don’t think I’d be very sympathetic either – but because you need to understand that this: > [@](#): > > I know grief can trigger strange behaviors but somebody needs to blow this chick’s addled bubble and smack her with a reality check :mad: isn’t going to happen. A “reality check” is not going to fix whatever is going on with Cathy. Depending on what exactly is happening with her then she might snap out of it on her own, but if this is rooted in a serious mental, neurological, or substance abuse problem then she’s not going to get better unless the underlying cause can be treated. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/93 "2015-02-08T19:12:21Z")
George Kaplan is really Roger Thornhill who is really Cary Grant. North by Northwest. Sounds like Cathy has some mental health issues. Let’s hope that she gets some help. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/94 "2015-02-08T22:58:18Z")
> [@chachacha](#): > > LMAO! Actually he fancied himself Horshack which is even weirder 🙂 Name me an enthusiasticer volunteerer. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/95 "2015-02-09T00:47:31Z")
You know, “Horshack” is a very old and respected name! It means “the cattle are dying.” ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/96 "2015-02-09T15:26:14Z")
If people want to live out their fantasies that’s up to them. It’s seems clear to you and some of her other friends that she has made up all of this. So you now have to decide what do you do about it. I say that file it away as a component of her character. She is not truthful. She, for some reason, wants to portray something about her that is not true. Lot’s of people embellish about themselves (i.e. NBC’s Brian Williams) but when it’s found out, you then take it into account about their character. I personally would find it hard to trust her about a lot of things that I personally didn’t witness for myself. Eventually she’ll figure out that you and others have a lack of trust with her and she may or may not inquire about it. If she does, you can then have the conversation about Miguel. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/97 "2015-02-09T16:23:00Z")
> [@computergeek](#): > > … > I don’t think completely ignoring it is the proper response here I think completely ignoring it is the proper response here. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/98 "2015-02-09T21:32:59Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I wondered if it was something like this. Maybe her mother was bugging her about finding someone-- if her mother was ill, it may have even been “Find someone before I die.” … Without the death threat thing, my dad started doing this to me. Fortunately, he died shortly thereafter. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/99 "2015-02-09T21:47:10Z")
People do often have more interesting lives going on in their heads (god knows my interior life is more interesting than the exterior one…). Mom was not ill before dying, it was very sudden and very sad, as they were quite close. Cathy hadn’t said that her mom was bothering her to find anyone, though, and we’d discussed that. She has dropped the hysterical posting from the previous few days, as I thought she would after the “memorial” was held. I’m planning to ignore it for now, as I’m not really up to saying anything about it. And what would you say? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799/100 "2015-02-09T22:39:13Z")
Occasionally purchase lottery tickets in his (yes, his) name at her address. If one wins, sent it in to the lottery company for redemption under her letterhead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-even-know-how-to-respond-to-this/711799.md?page=6)