Passive aggressive colleague

[1AngelicFruitCake]

There’s someone I come into contact with through work, I have to be professional to them but could do with ideas for how to stop letting them get the upper Hand. For example they’ll almost smile sweetly as they say something unfair, something questioning my ability to do the job. If I say anything back they have an answer.

Yesterday there was a problem to do with the setup of where I work, nothing to do with me and yet they persisted in insisting I sort it out, all whilst smiling sweetly. I have to remain professional. Any ideas?

‘Sheila, you’re the expert. I’ll leave it in your capable hands.” Then clear off.

The above is good

Plus look up Grey Rock.

Don’t co-operate, don’t engage, don’t respond. They’ll soon get board.

"Marjorie, that's very interesting. Would you excuse me, I have to make a phone call."

Just distance yourself as much as possible. She has a lot more practice than you at these weird games and will always win, so just avoid. If it crosses a line then tell her boss or HR

Agree with all the above, and feel for you as I know from experience how frustrating this is!

I found they normally spoke in statements rather than questions, so whilst a little uncomfortable at first, a response of "that's nice" and "mmhmm" - basically very non-committal, short replies worked. This wound them up no end and they rather quickly stopped.

When they asked me a specific question where the above responses didn't work, I'd reply "oh, what was that?" / "caught me at a bad time, very busy" etc

Ask her sweetly how old she is? And walk away.