you are either

1. picking too hard
2. not picking at an angle
3. bought wrong pick

how to use a pick is a skill, i hold it soft in alternate picking or fast lines or if i want a light touch. the same cant be said if i was playing the main riff of smells like teen spirit.

It takes practise.

You can hold the pick tight while still giving soft strumming sound, because strumming utilizes wrist movement.

Just keep practising. It helps if you start with lighter (thinner) pick, then gradually moves to harder ones.

Don't listen to your friends, listen to your heart.

Just remember that it takes practise and some time getting used to.

learning how to use a pick is a skill that can take years to perfect, there are a lot of techniques, how deep you pick, alternating between picking angles, economic of movement and all.

your friends are "teaching" you mainly because its acoustic, as a lot of acoustic songs who the acoustic guitarists fap to use a lot of fingerstyle. (you know slapping the side of the body and stuff) it doesnt mean its "better" its just a skill, if you like songs that use that skill then you play and learn them.

although i play guitar for few years. but i dont own any acoustic guitar.
i started frm the kapok classical guitar and then got my self an elec guitar.

so i would like to get a acoustic guitar for ard 150~200.
i saw the morrisson brand. i think is ard 150. but i duno if it is a fake one?
cz i nvr noe the price of a guitar of that brand