Silent Listening
If something bad just happened (happen) to your friend, what would you do? Would you mention it to him and say you feel sorry about it? Would you offer support or advice? According to Ruth Clark, such___41___(treat) could mean well, but it might not be what he___42___(real) wants or needs.
Clark asked some college students to imagine some___43___(pleasant) situations, e.g., a low exam grade or the dad’s___44___(lose) of his job. The students were then___45___(ask) how they would like to be treated by a friend who learned of the bad situation from someone else. The results were a little___46___(surprise). Some said they would want and expect their friend to mention the___47___(annoy) situation, but most of the students in the study___48___(respond) that they would like the friend not to do it. The students made the___49___(decide) for themselves whether to discuss their problem with a friend. So, there is value in being a silent___50___(listen) around a troubled friend.