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How can you tell if people are being passive aggressive?

37 replies

Errors · 02/12/2024 06:41

Or do I just overthink everything and assume people are having a pop at me when perhaps they’re not?

Long story, but I was texting a friend of mine the other day about a gentleman that had fitted my new bathroom. He had done a fair bit of work for me on my house and when I moved in, he bought me a card and a bottle of alcohol as a home warming present. I thought this was a nice gesture. He then tried to call me the morning after - I missed his call and forget to call him back and he had text me to say he hoped I wasn’t offended by the card and that it was a gesture of thanks for all the work and nothing more. I had absolutely no idea where he got that from and told him of course I wasn’t offended!
Anyway, I sent a screenshot of the convo to
my friend with a ‘😂🤦‍♀️’ emoji. She came back to say poor guy probably worries about offending everyone these days and that was it.

But then twenty mins later, her partner (who I am also friends with although admittedly not as close) text me a meme saying something about bees wouldn’t be able to convince flies that pollen is better than shit. Completely randomly.
I spent all last night worrying that he is saying that I am the piece of shit for some reason. I am overthinking it aren’t I??

OP posts:
Justleaveitblankthen · 02/12/2024 07:10

Yes, your friends' partner should butt out 🤨
But I would send a one word reply: 'Explain?'

Errors · 02/12/2024 07:09

For context:

How can you tell if people are being passive aggressive?
OP posts:
Errors · 02/12/2024 07:08

WonderingWanda · 02/12/2024 07:05

Friends partner sounds like a bit of a prick, not sure what he was trying to insinuate with that meme but you're right, it doesn't feel entirely friendly. Is it normal for him to send you messages? Block him and move on. Btw that's not passive aggressive it's just being mean.

Yes, we do text back and forth a bit. Usually podcast recommendations and shared political views. At first I thought the meme was relating to some of that - almost like he was saying that other people may not agree with our opinions because they can’t see what’s ‘better’ (although I don’t agree with his stance on that)

OP posts:
Errors · 02/12/2024 07:07

GreyCarpet · 02/12/2024 06:59

I had absolutely no idea where he got that from

Probably from the fact that an unanswered call and no call back following a gift made it look to him like you were ignoring him and he worried he'd overstepped or offended you, I'd imagine.

The friend's partner? Well, if someone sends me a message or a meme I don't understand, I generally reply with, "I don't understand." And then they explain.

You're making life very difficult for yourself, you know.

I agree I am making life difficult for myself.
Maybe I will try and ask him to explain it

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 02/12/2024 07:05

Friends partner sounds like a bit of a prick, not sure what he was trying to insinuate with that meme but you're right, it doesn't feel entirely friendly. Is it normal for him to send you messages? Block him and move on. Btw that's not passive aggressive it's just being mean.

Devilsmommy · 02/12/2024 07:02

Exactly what @gamgamerchick said. That's a really shitty meme

gamerchick · 02/12/2024 06:59

Why are you worried that you've done something and not annoyed that this bloke is sending you stuff like that? That meme he sent you isn't very nice.

GreyCarpet · 02/12/2024 06:59

I had absolutely no idea where he got that from

Probably from the fact that an unanswered call and no call back following a gift made it look to him like you were ignoring him and he worried he'd overstepped or offended you, I'd imagine.

The friend's partner? Well, if someone sends me a message or a meme I don't understand, I generally reply with, "I don't understand." And then they explain.

You're making life very difficult for yourself, you know.

Errors · 02/12/2024 06:53

bluebeck · 02/12/2024 06:47

I’m so sorry but I don’t understand. I get the first part, slightly embarrassing misunderstanding between yourself and workman, no harm done.

But your friends husband sending you a weird meme? I don’t understand the bees and flies thing. And why would it be connected to what happened?

I’m not sure about the bees and pollen thing either. I suppose it could be completely unrelated and he just thought it was a clever meme he wanted to share. And that’s kind of my point, I’ve leapt straight to thinking the worst

OP posts:
Errors · 02/12/2024 06:52

HoundsOfSmell · 02/12/2024 06:48

Ask him what he means by the meme.

I recon they both think the builder was making advances but you’re unable to see it

I was worried it was the other way around, that they thought that I thought he was making advances and they think I am wondering around thinking I am some god’s gift to men (which of course I don’t) and that’s why they’re saying it?

OP posts:
HoundsOfSmell · 02/12/2024 06:48

Ask him what he means by the meme.

I recon they both think the builder was making advances but you’re unable to see it

bluebeck · 02/12/2024 06:47

I’m so sorry but I don’t understand. I get the first part, slightly embarrassing misunderstanding between yourself and workman, no harm done.

But your friends husband sending you a weird meme? I don’t understand the bees and flies thing. And why would it be connected to what happened?

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