Am I an insensitive asshole?

BryanL

O.k. this might be a heated topic, so if it gets out of hand, I will delete the thread. Ok so here goes...

When people tell me that someone they know is in the hospital or dying or something, I do not feel any sadness. When people pass away and people always say RIP and feel sad, I do not feel sad. I do not understand why. Death is expected in life whether it come from natural causes or by an accident. We live to die.

If i was to learn that my friend had passed away, I would feel a little uneasy. But more like 'damn, he is really gone' as oppose to crying my eyes out.

Am I being insensitive? My mother passed away when I was 11 and although I took it hard, I do not think I shed a tear. I believe in fate and if it was meant to be it is meant to be.

Am I abnormal?

Malakaiii

Naw, people respond to death and tragedy in different ways. Some people feel dulled or numb to it while others go way overboard (I just heard about this lady who quit her job when her poodle was dying). Just as you say that death is natural, it is also natural for people to protect themselves emotionally. I don't know if you had anyone to talk to when your mother died, but I would bet that has had long-term effects on you, even if you don't realize it. Not that you should be feeling like crap all the time either, but it may explain your lack of emotion.

I don't know if it's up your alley, but the show Six Feet Under gave me a new perspective on life and death. Might be worth checking out.

Chowzzer

yes.

siuying

no you're not.. one of my childhood best friend died about 6 years ago.. and that was after i moved to BC.. she was still in toronto.. and when the news reached me.. i tried hard to be sad and cry because i thought that was the least i could do.. be mournful of losing her.. yet i couldn't being myself to do it.. then when my grandpapa died.. the same thing happened.. i couldn't cry.. i didn't understand till i got older.. i am in a way.. an "insensitive" person too.. i can tear up about the most insignificant thing.. an old lady picking up cola cans in downtown.. yet when it comes to people dying.. i don't and can't cry..

what i'm trying to say is.. you're not alone in this.. and yes some will say it's abnormal.. but we're very much the same to people who have high tolerance in pain.. only theirs are physical.. and ours are emotional.. so don't think you're abnormal.. just different will do.. =)

BryanL

Thanks Siuying. You are right, sometimes I get a bit teary eye when watching TV. Like I remember this one episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air when Will's dad plans a road trip for the two and ends up cancelling. And Will gets all sad about his father abandoning him and it kind of made me sad.

I was freaked out because I was thinking, why am I sad towards a TV show and about death I feel nothing.