So. I have a friend, who I RP with... and she is going through kind of a tough time right now. A family member of hers has been in and out of the hospital and she's really stressed about it. I understand that; I would be too. However, she's told me that I'm the only person she can talk to about this. Keep in mind that I've known her for like 5 months and, at least IMO, we don't know each other that well. Plus, whenever we take about OOC things, she always talks about herself and is always name-dropping about all these celebrities and models she knows, and it's like Uhh, yeah, whatever. She is a sweet girl, I think she just needs constant attention.

Anyway, so. The past few times we've talked she always randomly IMs me going right into the conversation. No "Hey, how are you?" or "Hey, can you talk/listen?" Just "OMG FAMILY MEMBER'S WORSE!" or "I really hate [this and that]!" I admit - when she talks about this stuff, I just say as little as possible because, as heartless as it sounds, 1] I don't really care, I don't feel close enough for me to be affected by it; and 2] I really don't want to talk about it because it's depressing and I never know what to say when people are crying and venting about how awful their lives are. So most of the time I just kind of die off, yet she doesn't seem to get the hint that I just do not want to hear it. I know, I know, I could just be like "Hey, guess what, I don't care, sorry" but I know this is a really hard time for her personally so I don't want to be rude like that. =/ Lol a double edged sword.

Anyway, so today's just been a really long day. I was shopping for college for four hours with my mom and we fought the whole time, and it was just stressful. So I get online, just intending to stay on for an hour to relax, then finish some chores, and she IMs me and starts ranting. No opening, no asking how I am. If she had, she might've gotten a little more out of me than my single response, which was: =/

I am never in the mood for her constant problems, but I have never wanted to hear about other people's drama any less than I do right now.

sfjlsdsf. So, RPG-D, please don't be like her. Don't assume people want to hear your problems.

That's really too bad - for both of you. I'm sorry there's no nice way to tell her to go away. I totally understand your predicament. There's a girl I know who's always making up dramatic stories to get attention. Hopefully your 'friend' isn't making this up...

IDK, maybe once this is all over, she'll be more considerate? Earlier this year, my grandpa had a health scare and for a few weeks I was just a down right pain in the neck. But not anymore.

Gosh, I wish I could offer some better advice.

If it's any consolation, she probably thinks you're great for listening and caring(at least pretending to)...

*offers you pity. if you want it.*

Um... block her, maybe?
I think you could only do three thing. One, tolerate her and keep listening to her vent until what happen to her family had ended. Two, tell her directly/indirectly that you have your thing to worry and your life is stressful too though not on the same way as hers. Three, block her. But then you need to prepare what to do if she found out. She could ask the other if you're online or I know there's some site out there could help people check if she was blocked by someone...

Or... when she starts venting, you start venting too. Like if she said "OMG FAMILY MEMBER'S WORSE!" and you could say something like "OMG MY DOG'S WORSE!". "I really hate [this and that]!" and you could say "I really hate popcorn! I hate it hate it hateithateit ultimately!!" Just something really random but you act like you're serious. And then hopefully she would feel bored or found you're silly and didn't talk to you again... however, you need to prepare if she goes spread around that "Sunday is crazy!" and you reputation got stabbed.

In case you don't understand the above... what it really means is, see it as a venting competition. The more irrelevant, silly, random reply you give her, the better. Haha. And if you didn't notice, although I don't sound serious, but I really am serious about my suggestion. Capital letters and misspelled words is helpful.

And here is an example. Though you might not take my suggestion (i know, that's a bad suggestion haha!), it might give you a giggle.
"OMGG!! I AGREE! IT'S LIKE MY PUPPY IS THE MOST STUPID FISH EVER! IT DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GO TOILET! AND OH CRAP HE'S NOW PEEING EEVERYWHERE AND LATER I GOT TO CLEAN UP HIS SXXX! HISDIRTYAND SMELLY AND OMG! MY HAND IS GOING TO BE FULL OF... MY MOM DON'T HELP MY SIS DON'T HELP AND MY DAD SAID DON'T ASK HIM TO DO IT OR HE'LL... I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'LL DOO. YOU'RE RIGHT! LIFE IS STRESSFUL. UGH. AND THEN I GOT MY COLLEGE TO WORRY ABOUT. YOU KNOW? I DONT' KNOW. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW? I'M SO SAD THAT MY FRIEND DON'T AGREE JAMES MCAVOY IS THE MOST HANDSOME MAN IN THE WORLD. CAN YOU BELEIEVEIEIEIE THAT? SORRY I HAVE TO GO. GOT TO CLEAN UP FOR MY DOG!!"

And, don't mention anything related to death or kill, for the safety.
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Okay, so here's something more serious.
Next time when she starts venting before saying "How are you?" or this kind of similar thing, you could ignore wt she said but reply, "Can you talk/listen?" then, you could tell her what do you think. Like "Hey dear, I'm sorry about what happened to your family member, and I know you're going through some tough situation. But I've been listening to your vent for quite a while now. And as a friend, I would like to tell you that you need to be strong and be positive. Of course you could talk to me, but just venting and ranting couldn't help. And honestly I'm dealing with something stressful too ((for example, dealing with her)) I need some time to relax and sorry that I can't always listen to you, but you know I'm here to support when you really need me."
Something like that! and hopefully she could understand.

Good luck.
By the way, won't you afraid she's a member in rpg-d too?

If you don't listen to my constant complaints, I'm going to disembowel you. :/

Okay, so. Methinks the best thing to do would be to talk to her, unless you don't even care that much :lol: in which case you should just kind of . . . disappear. I wouldn't make fun of her because she is going through a difficult spot in life, and it sounds like she doesn't get enough attention IRL and doesn't realize how annoying she's being.