Passive aggression involves various forms of behavior designed to mess with people so that they don’t even realize you’re angry at them. It often comes in the form of a backhanded compliment with a dollop of sarcasm on top. Such people believe that it will only get worse if others find out about their anger issues.
Dealing with passive-aggressive behavior is not the easiest thing in the world, but there are a few tips that may apply to your specific situation.
1. Keep your distance when possible.
Yes, the number one rule is to stay away from the passive-aggressive jerks. In a sense, it is harder to deal with passive aggression than open hostility because it makes dealing with such a person a real pain. The passive aggressor almost always denies responsibility and has plans A, B, and C for whatever argument you may hit them with. For these reasons, you need to take either a 100% diplomatic approach or just walk away before it’s too late.
2. Don’t try to change them.
Let’s get this out of the way: trying to convince someone to stop being passive-aggressive is admirable, but often ends in disappointment. The only way a passive-aggressive person changes their outlook is when they grow up and become more self-conscious. One of the best ways to deal with them is not to focus on changing their attitude and behavior, but to take responsibility for their actions.
