What Is Passive Aggressive Behavior?

By jamie

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Passive-aggressive behavior is defined as acting in a way that is aggressive but in an indirect manner. It will quite often be quite subtle and you may not even notice it some of the time. At other times, it is rather more obvious and the other person’s intent will be quite obvious.

Sometimes, you might even be acting in a passive aggressive way yourself and not even realize it. If you are, it is a good idea to recognize it and then try to do something about it in order to help ensure relationships, and even careers, run smoothly. Here are a few of the signs that you, or somebody else, is being passive-aggressive.

1. Are You Nuts?

This is perhaps one of the more obvious examples of being passive-aggressive, so it’s a good place to start. Asking somebody if they are “nuts” is just a question, and questions are the standard way of genuinely trying to find more information. Perhaps even for the other person’s benefit. In this instance, however, it is clear that the question is heavily loaded. Rather than being a genuine a question, it is quite clear that it is more of a statement: “You are nuts!.” The question is also likely to have the effect of putting the other person on the back foot immediately.

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