Why do people insist other people NEED something?

Question

...as opposed to making a suggestion, for example?

A 'need' is defined by Wayne Dyer (and I suspect many others) as some that will immobilise you if you don't have it. Oxygen, sunlight and personal beliefs are what I'd call needs; personally I've found that a lot of things I thought I 'needed' for anything weren't so at all. Especially the 'need' to be like everybody else.

However I've seen and heard people throw the word 'need' around with no real backup or any real idea of what they're saying, especially when it comes to "professional help". After hearing the definition I've trained myself to ignore or refute someone's attempt to state my 'needs', because I'm very sure I'm the only one who can define them for myself.

Answer 1

Do you need me to answer this?

Answer 2

I think it's simply because so few people really comprehend the meaning of the word "need." Not only do they tell you and me what we "need" in our lives, but those same people usually believe they "need" a nice vehicle, a new house, a big fat paycheck, a vacation, etc.

We WANT those things, and while they're nice, we really can learn to survive without them. NEEDS, on the other hand, by definition, are a necessity.

And with the exception of a few well-placed arguments above (such as doctors), no one is really in the position to tell anyone else what is "needed" or even to tell someone else what they want. So the phrasing should be, "I want for you to (whatever the comment may be)."

Agreed....it's just a sign of ignorance that people do this.

Answer 3

I do know people like that, who volunteer the information that I need something. They usually do not understand the problem.
I also know that sometimes, people do not have the verbal skills to say something like: "May I suggest that you...",or " in my opinion who might want to..." They use the word need, due to the lack of knowledge of how to express themselves better.
I occasionally need a little help in defining what I need, I can take a suggestion. My problem is with people turning the word need, just four letters long, into a word that requires many E letters." You neeeeeeeeed to do..." It is those folks that usually do not understand what is going on.
There is also the thing that some folks like to imitate what they see on TV, they wannabe the next Dr. Phil, or any of those other life experiences advice shows. They neeeeeeed to be neeeded.
I will see to it that I do not use the word "need" { or neeeeeeeeeeed] here, unless I am telling someone to go to the emergency room, because they are about to die of the disease/injury symptoms they are describing. I see your point.

Answer 4

Its a lazy vocabulary that is to blame, but also many times I think people are saying that in order to get to a SATISFIED not necessarily a purely healthy, stable state that you or I or they "NEED" something. I "need" to turn off my bathroom light. I need it because it conserves energy or it being on might be a slight distraction in the corner of my eye. But if it stays on, so what, no big deal, my lightbulb won't last as long.
But in the case of others telling you what you need, they're just being bold and bossy and in their book, "helpful." Human nature. "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." That's the "people person" way of thinking. I'm a people person and I LOVE when I'm called upon for an arbitrary opinion. Kinda like now.

(just kidding with ya, love - you need to lighten up... ha! just kidding again. okay, I need to go now, but not really...)

Answer 5

You have a need. Why because God created you in such a way that you will always be empty, unless you receive God into your heart.

Many see it as ambitious, drive, goal, need, passion, love, the catalyst that keeps you moving forward.

When you were 5 you had some pocessions and feelings. Now, that you are older you have more and more. But yet, you are not satisfied.
The more money you have the more you spend, the more clothes, the more you want. The more friends, the more you want..........
It is that greed that is never satisfied and never will be. Why? Simple. It's always about what I need!

Answer 6

I agree with you that sometimes people give advice that isn't actually helpful.
And I agree with you that we often use the term "need" to indicate something that isn't completely necessary.
However, I don't know if you are the only person who is capable of assessing your needs.
And I don't really get Wayne Dyer. To me, it sounds like he's saying nice things, but many of his teachings ring hollow.

Answer 7

Marketing

Answer 8

I believe it stems from our society's inability to take responsibility for their own actions. Therefore if someone does something out of "need" then it must be an acceptable action. And you're correct, "need" can truly only be determined by the person directly involved.

Answer 9

The word "need" should not really be taken as the definition you read. For example, lets say you have a friend that moving from his or her old apartment and she calls you to say "I need help"...are you going to ignore that?

How about if you run out of creamer or milk for your coffee or cereal and you say to yourself " I need to go buy milk". Are you NOT going to go buy it because it's not really a "need"?

Answer 10

I disagree with that definition. You may well need food but not be imobile to hunt for it.
And I can't agree that we are always the best to identify our own needs. My doctor identifies that I have high blood pressure. He prescribes a medicine which I need.

Answer 11

Oh God, I know I HATE when people do that. It's so ghetto. I think that THEY think people are as stupid or as weak as they are, and you are going to dumbly and blindly listen to them.

When someone says that I need something, I say "WHO needs?" and they don't get it and say "you need" and I say "No, YOU need me to do that. I'm very comfortable with the knowledge of what I need."

And Wayne Dyer is cool.