How to deal with miserable people?

[Karen]

Theater, my dear, theater.
Smile at her really hard whenever you see her. If she starts to complain, smile again and say "Woops, gotta go "make-up task" right now!"

There was a really always cranky lady where I used to work. She'd scowl past my desk many times a day, and was generally unpleasant to deal with. I finally decided on the above technique. I'd smile so hard anyone who KNEW me would have either run scared or at least known it was fake, but ... after doing this for months, she finally stopped one day, and said "You have such a nice smile," and smiled herself. As people around me practically fainted dead away (we all thought her "smile muscles had atrophied from lack of use) I kept my grin, muttered something about crediting my orthodontist and parents for paying the bills, and she continued on her way, still smiling. We kinda became "acquaintances" after that, in that she'd kinda smile when she walked past ever after, and treated my co-workers a smidge nicer, too.

Worth a shot! And at least you'd be exercising YOUR smile muscles, while thinking whatever evil thoughts at her you'd like!

[finn's mom]

What kind of stuff is she willing to do that no one else is? Maybe if you take the things that she's doing, and, split them up between everyone else, it might be feasible to let her go. Especially if she's such a toxin to everyone in the rescue. One bad apple...

[Jessika]

Theater, my dear, theater.
Smile at her really hard whenever you see her. If she starts to complain, smile again and say "Woops, gotta go "make-up task" right now!"

There was a really always cranky lady where I used to work. She'd scowl past my desk many times a day, and was generally unpleasant to deal with. I finally decided on the above technique. I'd smile so hard anyone who KNEW me would have either run scared or at least known it was fake, but ... after doing this for months, she finally stopped one day, and said "You have such a nice smile," and smiled herself. As people around me practically fainted dead away (we all thought her "smile muscles had atrophied from lack of use) I kept my grin, muttered something about crediting my orthodontist and parents for paying the bills, and she continued on her way, still smiling. We kinda became "acquaintances" after that, in that she'd kinda smile when she walked past ever after, and treated my co-workers a smidge nicer, too.

Worth a shot! And at least you'd be exercising YOUR smile muscles, while thinking whatever evil thoughts at her you'd like!

Exactly!! Just make an attempt to be nice to her and befriend her, a chance won't happen overnight, but it is guaranteed to happen.

[jenluckenbach]

I am not very good with miserable people, so I try very hard to just ignore them (or even pretend they don't exist).

I admit to not attempting to befriend them because when it doesn't work MY feelings get hurt. But I don't try to pick fights either, it gets me too upset.

But that's just me.

[jazzcat]

I'll trade you your miserable person for my oldest sister in law!

Just to give you some idea what she's like I'm always looking for where she parks her broom when she visits. For Christmas I'm thinking of getting her a t-shirt I saw. It says "I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister". Anybody want to dare me???

[jenluckenbach]

For Christmas I'm thinking of getting her a t-shirt I saw. It says "I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister". Anybody want to dare me???

I double dog dare you!

[lizbud]

For Christmas I'm thinking of getting her a t-shirt I saw. It says "I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister". Anybody want to dare me???

Yes, only if you're sure that it never REALLY happened to her.


I find it very draining emotionaly to be around people like that. If I had
to work with someone with the sour attitude, I'd probably ignore them as
much as possible.Sad, but true.

[NoahsMommy]

What a timely thread!!

I work with an Amy too!!! NOTHING that comes out of her mouth is positive...only negative and only complaints. She doesn't do her job (I've only been there this week and already I can see she's lazy as heck!!) and responds to me (and others) in such a rude manner, I want to slap her!! She's in her 40s, old enough to know how to treat other people.

I do what Karen does. Ignore her and don't allow her to mess up my day.

I've also encountered other "Amys" in a few of the nursing departments...I tend to be OVERLY sweet when I deal with them and they tend to lose thier thunder. They seem confused that I"m being so nice and helpful.

Hope it gets better for you. ((hugs))

[RICHARD]

YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN AN UP ATTITUDE AROUND THESE PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT!-

One of the doctors in the area has a really poopy attitude.

I hold the door open for everyone, except this woman, She is a stunning gal-but she always looks ticked off!

One day I stopped and held the door open for her. We made eye contact and she said, "Thanks!" I almost pooped. A few days later she asked me a question.

Now when she walks by my office she actually looks in and I get the feeling we may have a conversation of more than two sentences.


But I still wonder if she'll say something like, "Wanna a little FIRE, Scarecrow?"

[Prairie Purrs]

For Christmas I'm thinking of getting her a t-shirt I saw. It says "I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister".

I want that t-shirt!