Buddy, I know how hard that is from personal experience and the best thing to do is to try and be real with them. And if it’s too hard to get verbally communicate it, then send a text or email explaining just how god damn hard it is to be in your shoes. Try and open their eyes to empathy and picture how frustrating and debilitating it is to not be able to speak your mind, or say things in the fashion you intend to in your head. Lastly, and most importantly, the best advice I can give from one stutterer to another is to fucking own it. It’s a part of who you are regardless of how much you hate it (as I do too). But there’s nothing more infectious and charismatic as someone who owns their “deficiencies” or insecurities and doesn’t let them control who you are. Be fucking proud of yourself and how much god damn adversity you’ve most likely have already had to deal with. I can guarantee it’s much more than most of your peers. And it’s how a man responds to adversity that shows what he’s really made of. It builds character and strength if you respond to it in a positive way. Own it. Become a stronger and better and more empathetic person because of it. Your stutter doesn’t define you and if your friends don’t respect you, then fuck them, they aren’t your friends and are prob too insecure in their own skin anyways. You’ve got this my man!