Listening is a good way to calm someone down and make them feel heard. Try not to brush them off right away, even if they're being rude. Even mean people have points to make sometimes, they just might not know how to say it nicely. Try to interpret their words as best you can instead of ignoring them outright.
“Be upfront and direct with the mean person. Especially when mean behavior persists; don't simply take it or react by being mean back,” Dr. Jackson advises. “Assertiveness allows you to stand up for yourself and let your voice be heard without returning the person's meanness with meanness.”
What to do about someone who is mean to you but nice to others
38 related questions found
How do you make someone realize they hurt you?
Briefly describe what happened that felt hurtful or disrespectful. Say, “When I was talking, you (said or did this).” Don't go into a long story about what occurred or try to soften the blow by saying you know they didn't mean to be offensive. One sentence that describes your experience of their behavior is enough.
How do you deal with someone who says hurtful things?
How to respond to rude comments
Pause to regroup. When someone says something hurtful, consider taking several seconds — or longer — to breathe, feel your feelings, and consider your response. ...
Freud argued that people cope with negative views of themselves by perceiving other people as having those same traits. Researchers have discovered that threatened self-esteem drives a lot of aggression.
If someone is being mean to you then it could be a way to gain control and power over a situation or you. This is often a ruse to show social control and dominance. For many, it is a coping mechanism, and reacting aggressively and saying mean things gives them some semblance of control.
The truth about mean people is that they rarely ever realize that they are mean. To them, this is just the way life works. To a mean person, everyone else is mean, as they simply don't see things the way they do.
Do I have to be nice to someone who is mean to me?
The answer lies in knowing that you are worthy and deserve to be treated kindly by others. You do not have to put up with mean, cruel or abusive behavior from anyone. You can learn to set boundaries and draw your line in the sand.
Rudeness, particularly with respect to speech, is necessarily confrontational at its core. Forms of rudeness include acting inconsiderate, insensitive, deliberately offensive, impolite, obscenity, profanity and violating taboos such as deviancy.
There are various reasons why you may feel that you're engaging in mean or rude behavior, even if they're not immediately apparent to you. For example, an underlying mental health condition, a lack of social skills, cultural differences, or low self-esteem could all be potential causes.
Unrelenting anger can sometimes be a sign of a mental health condition. While challenges with emotional regulation can be a symptom of several conditions, Ogle indicates that anger can often relate to: anxiety disorders. depression.
Anger is a normal reaction to stress. It's a sign of our distress and an example of our suffering. We have all experienced social isolation, a loss of routine, increased fear and prolonged uncertainty, grief and loss—even grieving the way things used to be.”
What are the hurtful words to someone who hurt you?
Words are powerful weapons and can do a lot of damage. “ You're *#@! % stupid. ” “ I wish you were never born. ” “ No one is ever going to love you, you're so *#@! % fat and ugly. ” “ You never get anything right. ” “ You're worthless. ” These are mean and degrading things to say to someone.
Recognize the value of forgiveness and how it can improve your life. Identify what needs healing and who you want to forgive. Join a support group or see a counselor. Acknowledge your emotions about the harm done to you, recognize how those emotions affect your behavior, and work to release them.
It's okay to hurt and it's okay to tell someone they hurt you. You want to honor your feelings knowing it's natural and normal to feel hurt and angry too! Remember to respect yourself!
