Empathetic Ear Gifts

'I don't know what it is about you, Dave. But, you're such a good listener.'

'What a tactless, insensitive thing to say!'

Working in a library is not just about books...

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

Kiosk in large lobby with sign above it labeled 'Empathy'.

Prejudice/Empathy

Protect Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence

"Are you OK hun?"

'Why don't you try seeing it from your point of view?'

"Now that I've swung back to depression, I'm truly sorry for what I did when I was manic."

"I feel your pain level."

"I learned one thing today. Attitude trumps aptitude!"

"I know. I miss him, too."

Tangled Earphones Support Group.

'Adam seems depressed - He needs camaraderie or something.'

Spoiler alert: most of my presentation is actually a series of trigger warnings.

Refugee Crisis

"I'm not asking for a raise. All I'm asking for is a little warmth and human understanding."

'Do you want to reschedule? Normally he has a magnetic personality, but today he seems to have reversed polarity.'

Cares and woes.

Please Give

"I pick up on people's pain, Alexander. What's wrong?"

"Don't judge me until you've walked a mile on my medication."

"I've got the bowl, the bone, the big yard. I know I should be happy."

'There you go again - trying to solve my problems. I am not asking you to do that. I just want you to listen to me.'

"We must do something about these refugees..."

"If you think this is bad, you should see what they do to themselves"

'This training session is all about challenging assumptions. For example you see someone looking depressed, dishevelled, unkempt it's easy to jump to conclusions. But they may not be a social worker, they may be a client!'

"You're always so depressed, Tom."

"Whose turn is it to be happy?"

"Your free-floating anxiety is floating over to me."

"On the other hand, his bedside manner is impeccable."

"Pardon, I should have been more specific...is everything all right with THE MEAL?"

"I volunteer for the Samaritans. I tried to phone in sick this morning but they talked me out of it."

'Don't take it the wrong way, we could always be friends'