Comment by s1artibartfast

>Of course context matters and no sweeping generalizations can be made, but (as per the example in the article) making your grandma cry by articulating her self-inflicted harm due to smoking is, imo, much kinder and empathic than being "understanding" and keep quite maintaining her short-term good mood.

That is only true if you believe making the grandma cry is in some way productive or helpful. If not, it is simply cruel.

That said, I think this example isn't the best for the article's message.