telegraph.co.uk
Dealing with a Bullying Friend
A woman is bullied by a friend and wonders whether to confront her or not.
English
United Kingdom
LifestyleConflictRelationshipsFriendshipBullyingAdvice
Cowed
- What advice does the columnist give the writer?
- The columnist advises the writer to consider calling out the friend's behavior, or perhaps even reducing contact, depending on how much the friendship matters to her.
- What is the main problem described in the letter?
- The letter writer feels bullied by one friend in her group, who criticizes her parenting and habits. The friend's behavior has made her shrink in the friend's presence.
- Is this kind of situation common, according to the columnist?
- The columnist suggests that the writer is not alone in experiencing such a friendship dynamic shift; it is a common phenomenon at various life stages.
- What does the columnist suggest might be motivating the friend's behavior?
- The columnist speculates that the friend's behavior may stem from unhappiness in her own life, and that the friend is externalizing her pain.
- Why does the columnist believe the writer's single status makes her vulnerable?
- The columnist suggests that the writer's single status may make her more vulnerable to unkind behavior, as she lacks the automatic protection a partner would provide.