Except that, if I am alone with the person, the target will eventually become me no matter what I do.
I don’t know what you do but I might have an idea why you become the target (because this happens to me too): You seem to be the type of person who has their own ideas, own plans, and are not easily influenced or persuaded. For some—maybe many people—ramping up emotion is one (unconscious) way to make you (or other people) understand the urgency or distress they are in. If you ignore or otherwise do not respond or acknowledge other people’s stress you make it worse for them. You may not have an obligation to do something about it but you also shouldn’t be surprised if it happens.
Do you think this might relate to your experience?
I don’t know what you do but I might have an idea why you become the target (because this happens to me too): You seem to be the type of person who has their own ideas, own plans, and are not easily influenced or persuaded. For some—maybe many people—ramping up emotion is one (unconscious) way to make you (or other people) understand the urgency or distress they are in. If you ignore or otherwise do not respond or acknowledge other people’s stress you make it worse for them. You may not have an obligation to do something about it but you also shouldn’t be surprised if it happens.
Do you think this might relate to your experience?