When can optimism be annoying?

[hypochondriac]

Im definitely a pessimist. And I usually welcome optimism and optimistic people. My partner is generally more optimistic. We balance well I think.
But there are times when optimism sounds hollow to me.
"you can cure your back pain. just go to an osteopath.'"
"you are not too old to get a better job. just try harder."
I will try to think of more examples.

 

[hypochondriac]

When is pessimism annoying?
All the time....

 

[toffee]

hi hypo '' its nice for people to be optimistic' it gives a lift in our dreary lifes dont u think '
isnt it funny when u go to visit a sick friend in hospital -we all go in with optimism,,,

 

[hypochondriac]

I think if we decide to be optimistic in giving advice we need to think carefully how we say it.

 

[Pepper]

I HATE the saying "When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade" and my inner desire is to punch the lights out of the person saying it.

 

[hypochondriac]

Optimists/cool heads tend to minimise problems whereas pessimists/anxious tend to maximise what can go wrong.
its just different styles of thinking. Both have merit. But we can drive each other crazy sometimes...

 

[JustBonee]

People who are on too much of a 'high' can be irritating to anyone not in the corresponding mood for it. Too bubbly has its drawbacks.

 

[Judycat]

Yes optimism can be annoying. Try walking in the other person's shoes for God's sake! (Not you hypo haha).

 

[JimW]

Too much of anything isn't necessarily a good thing.

 

[gennie]

Optimism based on unrealistic expectations is childish/immature.

 

[Lc jones]

I love honesty so I appreciate people who reflect genuine honest emotions.

 

[Knight]

I HATE the saying "When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade" and my inner desire is to punch the lights out of the person saying it.

I'm going to be optimistic here and say Pepper with the Peace Now patch doesn't really mean it when posting "my inner desire is to punch the lights out of the person"

 

[Pepper]

I'm going to be optimistic here and say Pepper with the Peace Now patch doesn't really mean it when posting "my inner desire is to punch the lights out of the person"

I appreciate the optimism! Yes, you are right, I merely picture it so I can make lemonade from the lemon just handed me!

 

[Judycat]

I say when the world gives you lemons, put them in a potato cannon and shoot them back at the world.

 

[C'est Moi]

I suppose I'd rather deal with someone upbeat than a Debbie Downer.

 

[win231]

A couple of my favorites: (always good for a laugh)
"Age is just a number"
"You can do anything you put your mind to"

There is nothing wrong with positive thinking. But when it's taken too far (like anything) it gets stupid quickly.

 

[Judycat]

Not too upbeat. Medium to a little upbeat. Using a high voice and making a silly face is too much.

 

[hypochondriac]

I suppose I'd rather deal with someone upbeat than a Debbie Downer.

Sorry but who is Debbie Downer? Ive never met her.

 

[hypochondriac]

cliched optimism is the problem i fear.

 

[GeorgiaXplant]

I can't stand to be around people who are so upbeat that it comes off as phony. You know the kind I mean: when they say hello in that overly-cheery, high-pitched voice but you know they don't mean it and they're probably thinking "nexxxxxxxxxxxxxt…."

 

[RadishRose]

Like everything, too much is well....too much.

But I'd rather be stuck with a high powered optimist than a moody, cynical, sourpuss.

 

[GeorgiaXplant]

I'll claim cynical, even jaded and cynical, but not a moody sourpuss. Nope. Not. Moody. Not. Sourpuss. The ones I object most to are the super cheery "Hiiiiii-eeeeee!!!!!!"

 

[Butterfly]

I especially hate it when someone says "Everything is going to be all right" when clearly it isn't.

 

[hypochondriac]

A couple of my favorites: (always good for a laugh)
"Age is just a number"
"You can do anything you put your mind to"

There is nothing wrong with positive thinking. But when it's taken too far (like anything) it gets stupid quickly.

age is just a number.........well maybe it is just a number but please think of something more interesting to say (i dont mean you win 231 )

 

[Olivia]

Optimism is annoying when it's fake. I worked with someone like that and it was like she was modeling herself for others under her supervision. I could have thought I was the only one who felt that except for another manager who kind of made fun of that. The thing is, though, I know she grew up in a rough environment and sometimes the only thing that keeps you sane in that kind of growing up is to block out all the bad stuff and keep a stiff upper lip no matter what it takes. There are various types of shells that people can grow around themselves. I have also been told that about people who joke and smile all the time. I know that can be true because I worked for someone like that, too. You can't always tell what kind of life anybody lives inside themselves.