mrswdk wrote:Why do people do that?
Also, people attention-seeking about how sad they are when some acquaintance they only vaguely knew dies/kills themselves/whatever.
I understand what you're saying - huge outpouring for someone like Princess Diana seemed OTT, but then some were genuinely upset about how "unfair" it was. Personally I can't understand how people obsess over celebrities, sports stars etc - I've never had a poster of one on my wall.
Some people have more empathy than others. I think "sorry for your loss" is just showing empathy and sympathy; it can feel quite lonely when a loved one goes, so I think part of it is just letting people know that they're not having to deal with it all alone (even if, in practice, they are).
However, do you observe the minute's silence on Remembrance day? Is that the same thing?
To me, one of the uplifting things about human beings (and there are many, many negatives) is to hear a football (aka soccer) crowd of 90,000 - many of whom are alcohol-fuelled thugs - observe a minute's silence impeccably. One wouldn't have thought that were possible some years ago.