Why do people always point out the fact that you are sick?

Question

I work in a call center for customer service, and I have a terrible cold at the moment. People always point it out, saying "ohh, you sound like you've got a horrible cold". It's true, but there is no need to point it out. I feel bad enough as it is without you reminding me of it. My point is though, what if that was how I sounded in real life? I work with quite a few people who sound permenantly stuffed up. Why point it out?

Answer 1

they do it out of compassion and caring for you
not to make fun of you
stop being so sensitive
and enjoy the care and politeness people have for u

Answer 2

Unfortunately people with low self esteem comment on this because it makes them feel superior that they are not ill and you are. Another comment they make is that "you are always sick". Sometimes normal people get sick and tired of someone else always complaining and whining all of the time about this and that. Hypochondriacs are always complaining about their health and it gets old after a while.

I hope you get better soon so that you don't have to listen to any of it since it bothers you.

Might I also recommend that if you know someone who always sounds like that, they are probably bothered by it more than you are and they are embarrassed about it. Suggest to them that they find an ENT doctor to fix the condition. They will probably sleep much better as well.

Answer 3

True, it could be very embarassing for both people if the person wasn't sick... but funny to think about, kinda. When I ask, it's someone I know, and it's in case I can help somehow, I actually made chicken soup for my next door neighbor last week. My wife caught her cold, seriously. I don't say anything to strangers, just stay far away, lol, and if it's a casual acquaintance, I just say I hope you get better soon, not that it makes a hoot of difference. Hadn't really thought about it like that, but yes, it does get tiring hearing how sick you are from others, thanks for making me more aware. (and hope ya get better soon, even if it doesn't help) :-) Good question!!

Answer 4

People just do it out of compassion. They want to show that they care. I doubt they ever think about it that it might be that the person just sounds like that without being sick and that they probably hear this all the time. They just don't realize that and want to show some compassion.

Answer 5

Sympathy and compassion are normal human responses. Their opposite is "hate and violence". With all the hate and violence in the world today and how down everyone is about it, perhaps people jump at the opportunity to express sympathy and compassion as a way of casting a vote for the side of goodness.

Answer 6

I think its very a common thing that you've pointed out. But I feel good when someone says that to me cos I feel that they notice that something's wrong me , are familiar with me & care for me.

Answer 7

It could be because they care... or, it could be because they think you're too stupid to figure it out for yourself and stay home (as in away from work) so that you don't spread "the wealth" to your co-workers who aren't sick.

There should be a law in this country that requires you to stay home if you're ill rather than working.

Answer 8

Sympathy? Maybe they're trying to secretly point out to other co-workers that you're sick and they should stay away from you, without hurting your feelings?

Answer 9

Sometimes they care. Sometimes they're reacting because you sound "different". Sometimes they want to "confirm" that you have a cold so that they can stay away.

Answer 10

They just care about you, you really need to take come medicine or tablets, its just a human affection mechanism to care about the people around you, would you prefer if no one noticed?