answer:Ask them something embarrassing that they WON’T want to talk about might work. If they change the subject, bring it back again. And again. And… However, some people simply do not get gentle hints like the above (not that the above is a “gentle” hint)! It might be better- and less damaging- to simply tell the truth. Be blunt, but use “I” words such as “When you say…... I feel this.” Once you’ve said it, you can follow up with how much you do care about them.