What is the mindset of spiteful people?

[Teadrinker11]

Why are some people so spiteful? What's the mentality? Why do some people deliberately go out of their way to cause trouble? Why does drama follow some people everywhere?

Begs the question - is anyone here toxic/spiteful? Are they self aware? I actually think there are probably quite a few of them on mumsnet. Would anyone here be willing to self identify as this?

@Lipsandlashes

I work with a woman who is extremely senior in the organisation - way, way, way more senior than I could be in my wildest dreams. Unfortunately I do have to work with her in some small capacity. She seems to have taken a real dislike to me and tries to catch me out and be as nasty and belittling as she can towards me. I am absolutely no threat to her whatsoever. I can only guess that it’s because she is on her own.

How do you mean ‘on her own’? That she’s the only woman at her level?

No, that she lives on her own - no partner or children. Apparently she did not cope well during lockdown and wanted people in the office, so she would have somewhere to go (obviously that was overruled). If she wasn’t so nasty I’d feel sorry for her.