<prompt> Human: Hi guys,Im 19 years old but Ive been pretty fortunate to have capitalised of a creative passion of mine and its been my full-time job for the last 18 months. At the start, I was definitely what youd call a struggling artist, but more recently my business has been growing and Ive just signed a fairly big deal which will really increase my earning potential over the next couple years. While at the start of the year I was making about 2000 per month Im now making around 7000 per month.When Im with my friends they often talk about how broke they are and how they cant afford this or that. These are my really good friends that Ive been friends with for ages, but often I have trouble relating to their problems, and I always find myself going super quiet and reserved in these social situations.If we go out for food, everyone often wants the cheapest option but I often dont feel like I want to voice the fact that I want to get something nicer, just to avoid any awkwardness. It seems silly but I find myself in situations like this increasingly more.Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation? What have you found has helped you with this? Any help advice is appreciated! Thanks.  <response>: You are young and havent fully developed your social skills yet. That is okay and is great that you are taking note of it and trying to improve. No need to feel silly about this, as this is part of growing up and maintaining friendships with people of different backgrounds. The biggest issue is that you think you have to have a shared experience in order to properly express empathy - but you dont.When your friends talk about a financial setback, an appropriate response is that sucks!. You dont have to try to relate a similar issue, just show that you empathize with what a bad situation it was.If they say they cant afford an obvious want, you can comment on how cool of a thing they want is. No need to say you can have it, just commiserate with them that it is a fun thing.If they say they cant afford a need, then your response will depend on what the particular need is.When you go out with people of different means than you, you have to go with the place option that the person who can pay the least can afford. Otherwise, you have to start leaving your friends behind because they cant afford the fancy food you can. And that really does suck much more than eating less fancy food. You can also combat this by having more get togethers in peoples homes and when you host yours, you can bring out whatever food and drink you want to offer. Much more relaxed, all of your friends get to participate, and no one feels awkward about being the one friend who cant pay for what the others want.Developing empathy is a skill, and, like all skills, will take practice. You have no need to be silent, just understand that when people are complaining about what they cant afford that they are not asking for you to solve that problem. They are just looking for a bit of empathy and understanding. 