Good morning. I would like to extend my support and encouragement to you both.
When your friend receives unconditional support from her parents, she does not feel grateful. Similarly, when your friend complains about her internship to you, she does not feel grateful. Furthermore, when your friend encounters other people's dedication to her, she does not feel grateful. She also feels entitled to a better life, as if she cannot perceive reality clearly. This seems to be your friend's general assessment.
You have a deep understanding of your friend's values, expectations, and circumstances. You hold your friend in high regard and believe they have already achieved a great deal. However, you also perceive a certain degree of envy towards your friend. Additionally, you feel that your friend's actions may be perceived as "greedy" or "ungrateful." You also recognise that your friend's perceptions, ideas, and ways of dealing with people may not fully align with your own values.
You and your friend have different backgrounds and perspectives, yet you can still maintain a cordial relationship. As Confucius said, "Harmony in diversity."
It is possible that your values lead you to believe that it is already challenging for parents to fully financially support their children to study abroad. Parents often demonstrate unconditional financial support for their children, and in such cases, it is important to recognize and appreciate their commitment. However, your friend's values appear to be centered on her own needs and desires. She views her parents' sacrifices as a natural part of life, and her parents are similarly accustomed to providing for her. This dynamic may contribute to a positive relationship between her and her parents.
There is nothing inherently problematic about this situation, except that your upbringing and perceptions differ.
From your perspective, an internship at a domestic law firm with a competitive salary is an acceptable proposition. However, your colleague is not satisfied with the role and feels that the work is tiring, the salary is low, and the atmosphere is poor.
What would constitute satisfactory results for you? It is understood that everyone has a different concept of what constitutes satisfaction. You have your own standards, as does your colleague, and therefore you are both using your own standards to judge the results of this work.
There is nothing inherently problematic about this situation. The issue arises when there is a discrepancy in expectations.
In your value system, a person who has made an effort on your behalf will likely be viewed as having made a valuable contribution.
It is important to remember that any kind of relationship is mutual and that both parties are involved. However, your friend may not be grateful for this, but rather feel that it is something that others should do. It is therefore your responsibility to teach her how to be grateful. However, whether or not she learns to be grateful is up to her. Given that your friend has been used to receiving since she was young, she probably doesn't know how to give either.
There is no inherent problem with either of you, except that you have different views on gratitude.
Both you and your friend attended ordinary schools and grew up in ordinary families. It is therefore important to focus on leading a good life now, while working towards your long-term goals. However, your friend feels that she should be better off than she is, which is a perfectly valid aspiration. The key issue is that everyone's route to a better life is different.
The decision of whether to rely on others or oneself is a personal choice and a matter of individual preference.
There is no inherent problem with either party; the issue is simply a difference in attitude.
You have identified several areas of concern regarding your friend's behavior and are seeking to implement changes. However, it is important to recognize that influencing another person's character, cognition, and values is a challenging endeavor. These attributes are shaped by a multitude of factors, including family, educational background, and external circumstances. As the ancient adage goes, "It is easy to change the country and mountains, but difficult to change one's nature."
Furthermore, I am curious as to whether your friend has had a negative impact on you, prompting you to consider making changes.
Additionally, you referenced strategies for maintaining a positive relationship with her. Are there any challenges in your current dynamic?
1. Remain true to your principles. You can negotiate, but you cannot unquestioningly accommodate others.
2. Accept the differences between you and allow for different values. There is no such thing as a perfect match, and no two people have completely identical values. Meeting is a matter of fate, but getting along requires effort. A relationship is the result of two people moving in the same direction. If only one person is trying hard, the sustainability of the relationship is questionable.
3. Understand the parameters of your relationship. Despite being friends, you and your colleague are two distinct individuals. It is essential to differentiate between your respective roles and responsibilities, while maintaining a cordial and professional relationship.
I am unsure if this will be of assistance, but I hope you experience happiness on a daily basis.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my personal regards to you and to express my appreciation for your contributions to our organization.
Comments
I understand how frustrating it can be when someone doesn't appreciate the sacrifices others make for them. Maybe you could gently remind her of all the opportunities she's been given and how rare they are. Sometimes people just need a wakeup call to realize what they have.
It sounds like your friend might be struggling with unrealistic expectations about life and success. Perhaps you could share stories or examples of people who have worked hard and appreciated their journey, emphasizing that gratitude and contentment can lead to greater happiness. Encouraging her to focus on personal growth rather than status might help.
Talking to her about the value of gratitude might be a start. You could suggest practices like keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking time each day to think about things she's thankful for. This might shift her perspective gradually and help her appreciate the support she has from her family and friends.