There is a common perception that your best friend can say anything to you, but this is not true. Your BFF would not use a close relationship with you as an opportunity to insult you. There are certain times when seemingly simple statements have stung and were derogatory enough to elicit a different expectation than expected. A true friend does not want to hurt you, even if unintentionally. Here are ten sentences you would never hear from your best friend.

1. “You seem to have lost some weight”

Weight is a dirty word. Perhaps your friend is trying to offer you a compliment – yet the statement can be confused as an insult. Do they know if you are losing weight because of depression? Maybe they thought you could not lose any weight and now they are suggesting that you have always been overweight. Rather than express their concern in such an accusatory way your best friend should say, “I’ve noticed you’re looking thinner lately. Is something going on that you want to talk about?”

2. “Are you sure you’re good enough?”

Your best friend should never doubt your capabilities. He/she should be supportive of every goal you pursue. Instead of doubting your abilities your best friend should say, “I bet you can pull it off.”

3. “You cannot be right”

By saying this your best friend is implying that you are untrustworthy and casting doubt over your intelligence. A more tactful sentence like, “my understanding is that…” would help offer a clearer picture of what you are saying and make sure you are working on the same assumptions.

4. “Good luck”

The implication of this statement is that whatever you do requires luck and nothing you do will make it succeed. It is also bad luck to wish good luck. Instead of attributing your accomplishments to luck, your friend should offer encouragement: “Offer them something they’ll never forget!”

5. “I wish you didn’t have to…”

Your best friend should motivate and help you to take action and change your situation. This sounds like moaning, and I bet you don’t like to be groaned at! Your best friend should not discourage your attempt to improve a situation. Rather, your friend should say, “We have to do something about this”

6. “It could have been worse.”

Your best friend may be falling into use of a common phrase without thinking. Saying such a phrase will only imply something negative or pessimistic. It would be better to be honest and positive enough to say, “It will get better.”

7. “It can never…”

The word “never” puts a restriction on your life and doesn’t present us with an accurate reflection of the choices that still remain available to us. Your best friend should not close his/her mind to available options and should remove words like “never” from their vocabulary. Rather a phrase like, “I feel we can…” can prove more positive.

8. “Don’t worry. It will be fine”

Even when your friend seems worried for a good reason, the phrase “don’t worry” is dismissive. Your friend should offer his/her judgment based on the situation. Using action to back up a statement like, “I’m here if you need me,” will go a long way to prove that they are willing to help through a rough time.

9. “I told you so”

This implies you are not paying attention or you are not listening to them. It could also imply that they are more prescient and wiser than you. Your best friend should understand that friendship with you is not a competition. There is no need to keep tabs on who is right or wrong. Rather they should say, “Let us fix this.” A good friend will show they are willing to help you out and not add salt to the wound.

10. “I don’t really care.”

Your friend may be emotionally charged but they should never tell you he/she doesn’t really care. Your best friend is meant to be concerned about your challenges and difficulties. Your best friend cannot say they don’t care, rather they should say, “I am here for you.”

Please Share↓ Share↓