Empaths & Narcissistic “Friends”
Yesterday I published “Empaths & Toxic Social Circles” and described a friend/frenemy whom I think is narcissistic rather than someone with full-blown narcissist personality disorder.
One of the galling things about this friend/frenemy was that, from what I could see, I was her only scapegoat. I didn’t observe her insulting, criticizing, or ridiculing others to their faces. I did observe her bad-mouthing them behind their backs. Indeed, she enjoyed being the bearer of bad news if a friend or acquaintance of hers insulted me behind my back.
When she introduced people to me, she typically informed them that I was a vegetarian. Usually, these friends of hers immediately verbally attacked me for this. Meanwhile, the frenemy stepped back with a smug little smile and observed the attack. Eventually I braced myself every time she introduced me to someone. It was no coincidence that most of the people who harassed me for being a vegetarian in St. Louis were people I met through her.
She accused me of being “too sensitive” instead of admitting that she was too insensitive. She…