Here's How to Respond to Someone Who's Condescending to You

Here’s How to Respond to Someone Who’s Condescending to You

Do you know that feeling when after talking to someone you feel ridiculous, inferior in every way and have a huge lack of confidence? Although it is possible that you are experiencing simple procrastination, it is also possible that the person you interacted with was being condescending.

Condescending behavior is when someone makes you feel bad in a more or less subtle way that he is better than youThe purpose of this form of communication is to convince you that she knows more than you, is more capable than you. This can happen when someone speaks or behaves as if they are superior to others, making you, subtly or overtly, feel smaller or less important.

recognize a kind person

Similar to a person who adopts passive-aggressive communication, a dismissive person rarely happens from the frontEmpathy is best seen in the way you feel after talking to someone. Mental health promotion expert Beth Birenbaum says that whether done intentionally or not, it always has the effect of making the other person feel small, stupid, or unimportant. site du Berkeley Well-Being Institute.

There are several direct or indirect ways for someone to be kind to you:

She talks to you as if you are a child or a mentally retarded person.
She uses unnecessarily simplistic language.
She makes condescending comments like: “Oh, that’s adorable,” “You’re doing your best, that’s nice.” ,
She uses ridicule or sarcasm.
She dismisses your ideas without even taking them into consideration.
She rolls her eyes or sighs when you speak.
She shows that she is not interested in what you are saying.
She assumes you know nothing.
She gives unsolicited advice.
She interrupts you or talks over you.

respond to kindness

It’s not always easy to know how to respond to kindness. This may distract you and prevent any kind of response. The lack of response is more likely when you don’t realize it at the time. To get started, speaker and workplace expert Amy Gallo recommends choosing your battles. “Not every condescending comment necessarily requires a response,” he believes. Harvard Business ReviewEvaluate the importance of the situation and decide when it is important – or appropriate – to address the behavior. Ask yourself whether this is a recurring trend or a one-time event. » Ask yourself what the consequences of this kindness will be. Is it so annoying that it needs to end? Does it stop you from doing anything? Sometimes ignorance is the best answer. On the other hand, if the kindness affects you directly, not responding to it could be harmful to you. The risk of seeing it settle,

Psychotherapist Ona Metz assures, “The best response to condescension is to make a direct and fair statement about how you feel, rather than responding by being condescending in return.” very good mindBecause the condescending personality may also feel that they are so superior to you that you are unaware of their condescension, confronting them directly may be the answer. Therapist Saba Aaroni Lurie says, “When people behave kindly toward others, they expect others not to question their behavior.” By honestly asking someone why they make condescending comments or want to be mean and hurtful, they may be surprised and consider a pattern of behavior that has perhaps become second nature to them. ,