Feeling Steamrolled in Pennsylvania: how to respond when friends change your plans last minute

In this episode of Jenny Says So, Jenny dives into the complexities of friendships—specifically how to navigate awkward moments and misunderstandings with grace and empathy. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and open communication, suggesting that friends should approach conflicts with a mindset of understanding rather than judgment. Jenny shares her tips for creating safe spaces for vulnerability, addressing misunderstandings directly, and handling tense moments with compassion and clarity.

Hey Jenny, I have a dilemma I need help with. So, two old friends and I have been getting together a few times a year for dinner. Since we are a little geographically dispersed, we all take turns being slightly inconvenienced, and we really try to pick a place that is convenient for everyone (as much as possible). For our recent outing, we picked a date, time and place that made sense for us all. However, at the last minute one friend wanted to change the time and place, and the demeanor was a little aggressive! Before you knew it, we had changed our plans to accommodate her. What would be the right thing to say to her to bring attention to the fact that she was inconsiderate? Is it wrong to read aggressiveness in a text? Thanks for the help. Signed, Feeling Steamrolled in Pennsylvania

Jenny dives into this relatable friendship dilemma with her signature compassion and straightforward advice. She discusses how easy it is to misread tone through text and emphasizes the importance of face-to-face communication to clear up misunderstandings.

Jenny shares practical tips on how to address inconsiderate behavior with kindness and honesty, suggesting that open-ended questions can help uncover intentions without placing blame. Her advice highlights the importance of curiosity, understanding, and direct communication in navigating friendships.