Empathy

Yesterday I was told by a friend that she does not understand why people cry when their dog dies. This was probably brought on by her low upbringing, common background and the spinach incident (not really but of course I will give her the link). And it got me thinking, again, about why it is so hard to understand and appreciate that other people may have a different set of values and priorities in life.

She was so flabbergasted over her friend's show of tears and emotion because they had to put the dog down, however, when inquired what she would do if her pet hamster croaked, she was shocked and said she would die as well.

It is probably a consequence of the Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which states that only when a person has things reasonably dealt with in their head they can truly open up to others with no selfish intent.