How do you tell somebody something without them hating you?

[joecamnet]

I'm worried about somebody.  Their weight has been getting more and more "noticable" over the past few years and I'm starting to worry about them.  I mean, I'm a big guy myself, but my weight hasn't really fluctuated in how many years, but this person has had a steady increase for a while and I'm starting to worry about their health

Comments

[doc_havok]

Unfortunately, broaching this subject will be like diving on a grenade. Even though it's done with the best intentions, you are unavoidably going to get flak for it. If you truly believe that this can and will become a health risk for them, just keep in mind you're doing it because you care and make sure you emphasize to them that you're telling them because you care and are concerned for them. Think of it like a one-man intervention.

[arf]

If I were to tell my friends to stop smoking, and then say, "well, my smoking habits haven't fluctuated in a while", they'd call bullshit on me.

It might have been the way you brought it up. Did straight up say it was a health concern for you?

[m_sweeney]

Is this person living nearby you? Why not ask if they'll join you in exercising? I'd be a lot more accepting of discussions of my weight if it was done with someone who was equally trying to better themselves.
Letting them know that you still care about them even if they were obscenely obese might help.