How to cope with bossy people when you are the opposite.

[malificent7]

Whilst I'm not a complete pushover, I have never been a bossy type really and certainly don't have the stern, scary persona that some cultivate at work.
Recently at work, I have had a couple of people who are less experienced than me trying to boss me about. I not their senior but I'm not as pushy as them. Wwyd?

I don't really care about where I am in the workplace hierarchy but I prefer to collaborate rather than struggle to be on top.
I did push back but they answered bk and I feel a bit resentful.
Try to be constructive with criticism please.

Congratulations on your wedding.

I'd be clear on what goals you have in mind (Are you working towards a promotion? Or some financial goal? Or networking with certain people?) and quietly prioritise these over everything else.

Obviously if it specifically is undermining your work/trying to browbeat you into making you take on extra tasks, deal with it formally as pps have suggested.

It can be hard to be constantly "on" looking for ways to humilate and "out-bossy" people like this if you're not wired up like this (they can be nasty af, and do know how to pick their targets) but have your own wellbeing and interests first, always.

I have some younger colleagues who are incredibly rude/competitive/critical in the way you describe (but I don't try and get into these crazy immature "who is cooler" interactions as I am on track for my own financial goals and money should be kept private).

But microaggressions and outright hostility do sting and I limit contact as much as possible.

(There is a reason why WFH is popular now!).