I’m going to preface this by saying I know I’m in the wrong here, but I want to describe a situation to illustrate my point…
Let’s say you’re walking down a hill at night with a friend. The hill is paved and illuminated, but it’s still steep. Both you and your friend are familiar with the hill and how steep it is, as you’ve walked it many times in the past. As you’re walking down, your friend says “Be careful, as it’s pretty steep here”
Ultimately I’m aware that they’re saying this out of a place of care to make sure that, e.g., you don’t fall on a steep path. However my brain interprets it as patronising. Of course I know the road, I’ve walked it many times. Why would I not be aware? I wouldn’t think of saying the same to them as I’m sure they’re aware of how steep the hill is. In fact, I believe me saying to them to watch out for the steep hill would be patronising
I need to stress, I truly believe this advice was being given with good intentions and wasn’t intended to be patronising and also that I’m in the wrong for interpreting it this way, so why am I interpreting it as such? I’m sure my friend has my best intentions at heart, so why am I (ultimately) assuming the worst by thinking they’re being patronising?
If you have any thoughts, please let me know. Why am I defensive about them (essentially) just looking out for me?