The Danger In Passive-Aggressive Statements (that you didn’t even know were passive-aggressive)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text]You’ve probably heard the term, “passive-aggressive.”  There is nothing to gain with this behavior. It often hides indirect resistance and anger, making a remedy for the situation so much harder. Of course, context is critical. Carefully listen when hearing (or reading) these statements:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“No worries.”
” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083555070{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12832″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The person may be concerned but not ready to bring it to your attention. The danger in this is that the individual can be an explosion waiting to happen.

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“Thanks in Advance.”
” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083610695{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12833″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]This statement is telling the other person that you expect them to act. It can change the current relationship.

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“I’m not mad.”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083648772{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12834″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Yes, they are. People have to be able to voice their opinions honestly and openly. [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“So…”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083737162{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12835″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]One of the worst words in the English language. Why? It’s usually followed by words that indicate anger, frustration or agitation. Or, it can be the beginning of an awkward conversation. Either way, listen closely. When you hear these words, figure out what person is trying to tell you.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“I was only joking.”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083767940{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12837″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]No, they weren’t!   Passive-aggressive statements often contain sarcasm. It’s even more damaging if said in front of others or a written format viewed by a group of people.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“Your thoughts?”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083800555{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12839″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The above can be an honest statement, depending on what follows. If the context is in a conversation relaying the speaker’s unhappiness on a work assignment, it’s a way of telling the person they screwed up. [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“Hope it’s worth it.”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083845894{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12841″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Here, is clearly a passive-aggressive statement. The person is telling you that whatever the idea is, they think it is bad. Chances are, they will ask you how it worked out as well, hoping to infer they told you it would fail.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“Just wondering …”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083879435{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12842″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The person stating this phrase knows they should not be asking you this request, but will regardless. However, this is also a typical beginning for very shy people before asking a valid question. Context is everything.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“Whatever.”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083917083{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12843″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]This one word speaks volumes. They are mad. You are angry. They choose not to want to continue the conversation. [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“I was curious, surprised, confused about … ”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083959794{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12844″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]This phrase is a way to disguise some criticism. Although some may use this phrase as a way to “soften the blow,” it’s still a means of putting you down. [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“If you really want to…”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470083996253{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12845″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Although this sounds accommodating,  it’s a sign of non commitment. Try to explore the source of their indecision.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”70″ accent_color=”#962468″ css=”.vc_custom_1468283466004{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”“Fine.”

” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1470084063601{padding-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12846″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The person does not mean everything is fine. In fact, they say just the opposite. It immediately shuts down communication.

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