As someone who’s all for playful banter and even some good ol’ fashioned roasting, I can easily laugh off witty, well-meaning jabs from my . But that’s definitely not the same as dealing with a snarky, passive-aggressive “pal.” You know, the one whose insults are always veiled as compliments.
(“I wish I could wear as much makeup as you!” “Wow, if only I could be so care-free about my future!”) “None of us enjoy feeling belittled, especially from those we consider to be our friends,” , a Dallas-based therapist and the author of tells SELF. After all, these are the people we to have in our lives to lift us up, not drag us down or make us feel insecure. Figuring out how to react to these snide comments can be awkward, though: Do you brush off that backhanded compliment about how “effortless” your job is—even though it lets them get away with being rude? Or do you match their (“Actually, my career is way more challenging than your stuffy office job”) to make a point? “Instead of internalizing the offhand remark or impulsively , it’s important to pause and think about how to respond, because this could be a good opportunity to speak up for yourself,” Dr.
Mills says. You don’t have to cuss them out, but handling the situation calmly and confidently can set the tone and show them that you won’t accept being talked down to, she explains. Plus having an open conversation may even .
For you, it’s a chance to clearly communicate boundaries for.
