Hacker News Reader

Thinking other people's emotions were my responsibility (or likewise that other people were responsible for my emotions). I can control my actions and that is all. If someone reacts negatively, it's not my fault, and it's not my responsibility. I may choose to help them through it, but at the end of the day, I can't, nor should I want to control other people's emotions.

View on HN

I think you have a responsibility to understand how your words and/or actions may impact someone else's emotions. It is then your decision to act in a suitable way to you.

But if something needs to be said, you shouldn't shy away from saying it, if you're worried about how they might react.

I agree, I'm not trying to absolve all responsibility. The comment was just highlighting that despite how well you may word something, you can't prevent someone from reacting poorly. You can't know with certainty the right words to use, so all you can do is your best. The rest is out of your hands.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com