Wow, thank you for all your helpful advice. I sensed some of this and you have confirmed it for me. Some of you have also said things I never even thought about.
At the end of our last encounter, I "jokingly" told my friends to p*** off, which I would never normally do but this made them laugh. So I guess you can say a lot of things in jest but I obviously draw the line way before most people. Anyway, they seemed to understand I was actually hurt. And when I saw them briefly again today they seemed to be trying to make nice to me again. I know they are not bad eggs. I guess they just stirred something up in me I have not had to deal with in a long time - I rarely have to face this kind of confrontation in my life nowadays. It throws me back to school days.
I will try to stop thinking that "I am a sensitive person" - although I do think this trait has many positive sides too! I guess I have to develop a thicker skin and not let the negative stuff in. Anyway Im in a better place now and thanks for all the advice.
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