# Listen, dipshit, not everyone is just like you

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-dipshit-not-everyone-is-just-like-you/345131>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [February 18, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-dipshit-not-everyone-is-just-like-you/345131 "2006-02-18T22:41:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-dipshit-not-everyone-is-just-like-you/345131/41 "2006-02-20T05:49:15Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> **furt** : If I announce that I’m depressed, I expect people to ask about my diet and exercise and all the rest; they are under no obligation to assume that I’ve tried all that. If I announce that I got fired from my job and can’t find a new one, they are under no obligation to assume that it really wasn’t my fault.

Being supportive doesn’t mean that we encourage the other person not to take responsibility for their problems or that we don’t make reasonable suggestions or talk about what worked for us. It means not making assumptions about the other person at all.

When I get to the point where I believe that someone is making excuses, I don’t automatically blame that person or even voice that opinion because I know from experience that sitting on one’s ass and doing nothing about a problem can be a symptom of depression.

It’s easy to feel justified in telling a seemingly lazy depressed son-of-a-bitch to get off his ass and _do_ something. We wouldn’t dream of telling that to a person in a catatonic state.

I’m just not in a good position to judge (even with people I know _and especially with myself_) what is laziness and lack of discipline and what is depression and medication.

(Sorry, Teach, don’t mean to lecture.)

**CanvasShoes** , you always make sense to me. I think we are kindred spirits. Even when we disagree, your perspective is always helpful when I’m thinking things through.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alpine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpine/32/17813_2.png) [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-dipshit-not-everyone-is-just-like-you/345131/42 "2006-02-20T15:24:59Z")

</div>

> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> …the plural of anecdote is data.

Love it. Must steal it.

As for the OP, yeah. If you can’t add something constructive, keep yer trap shut. Not counting _this_ post, of course.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-dipshit-not-everyone-is-just-like-you/345131.md?page=2)