My college psych professors expressly told our classes not to try to dabble in armchair therapy, so I don’t. I have a sibling who likes to say, “you may be right,” and I think it’s irritating. Pick a position. Keep it, change it if information warrants, but don’t imply you agree with me when you don’t.
Perhaps it’s just a NE perspective. New Yorkers tend to be very direct. She’s spent the better part of her life in a different region, so maybe that’s the dofference. I think it’s possible to be empathetic without agreeing with other people. I understand that she’s trying to acknowledge that what works for her might not work for me, but I’d rather she just said that.