Standing face to face with a crazy person on a crowded subway...

...makes me uncomfortable. I don't care how many pills you took to get this crazy, or where you found them, but thank you for sharing your story with me. The problem with being face to face is that you have to interact. The subway is crowded and you can't get away. It's a fine line. You have to make them feel like you're listening and that you understand, without seeming condescending. Laugh when they laugh, but don't laugh at them. Respond in short sentences and nod your head. Keep doing whatever you can do to keep happy crazy from turning into stab crazy. Whatever you do, don't ignore them. What, you can't hear me? You don't see me standing here talking to you? How about now? How about when I'm stabbing you? I bet you can hear me when I'm stabbing you.