Passive-aggressive behavior is, unfortunately, quite common. We may encounter it in everyday communication with friends, romantic partners, colleagues, and even family members. But what’s worse is that we ourselves sometimes become a source of poorly disguised anger. We advise you to find the right words to communicate your resentment, and to exclude these “toxic” phrases from your vocabulary forever.
Everything is fine
Claiming that “everything is fine” when you are upset about something is a very bad habit. Not only do you demonstratively deny the other person’s trust, but you also make them angry – nothing good will come out of such a “conversation”. You may be hoping that the other person will do something, be more persistent, to deserve your confidence. But the truth is that no one knows your motives until you are willing to share them.
glad for you
While these same words can be used to express genuine joy for another person’s success, they are often used in a very caustic, passive-aggressive manner. In any case, you can’t hide your envy and resentment that you weren’t appreciated this time, so maybe you shouldn’t even try? Better congratulate them on their achievement properly, and then ask for advice if you want to be in the lucky person’s shoes.
Doesn’t matter
Your “it doesn’t matter” thrown in the middle of a conversation can seriously offend. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes – refusing to spend time on an explanation looks extremely disrespectful, even if the conversation is annoying and you want to quickly change the subject. Find the strength to put an end to it in another way, for example, by saying that you seem to have misunderstood your opponent and lost the thread of the conversation, but are ready to continue it another time. Or even better – answer briefly and to the point.
I’m sorry you think that way.
The phrase seems like a sincere attempt to apologize, but only at first. In fact, it is a not very elegant way to humiliate the interlocutor, hinting at his inherent lack of intelligence. At the same time, you hardly seriously consider your opinion to be the ultimate truth, so is it worth starting a conflict? Do not forget that everyone has the right to think and feel in their own way. If someone behaves stupidly, it is the one who considers his vision to be the only correct one.
As you say
Another dismissive statement with a double meaning – it would seem that you agree to everything. But how much indifference is in this phrase… You can say that you are not ready to join the conversation in another way. In addition, do not rush to brush off alternative points of view – other opinions are as valuable as yours, and perhaps you have yet to agree with them. All that remains is to listen carefully.
You are overreacting.
Telling someone that they are “overreacting” or “taking it personally” seems like you are trying to dismiss their hurt feelings and blame them for their reaction to your actions. But don’t you think the problem is actually in the action, not the reaction? You probably didn’t do anything good if someone is bothered by it. It would be more appropriate to apologize!