Have you ever been in a lift when there is just one other
person in it and find that there is that awkward silence while their eyes and
yours are glued to the display which indicates the floor level that you are
on? To be in such close proximity to
another person without conversing with them somehow seems impolite. It is times like this when I ask the question,
“How’s your day been?” This question can
lead to so many different responses from “Not bad thanks” to the extreme “My
mother just passed away”, so you have to be prepared how to respond, no matter
what the answer. To the latter, while it
is tempting to melt through the floor wishing all the time that you had never
uttered those fateful words, the response is easy, “I’m so sorry to hear that” and
then leave a silence providing them with an opportunity to speak if they feel
inclined to do so.
Being in the right
frame of mind and having the emotional intelligence to be able to deal with
this situation may be somewhat more difficult. I believe that our own life experiences and
how we deal with them play a very important part in being able to deal with
situations like these. Knowing what gestures,
words and kindnesses helped when we experienced our own periods of sadness and
grief can provide opportunities to assist and console family, friends or
complete strangers during their times of sadness.
Lifeline 13 11 14
