How to deal with miserable people?

[PJ's Mom]

I'm married to an Amy. All I ever hear are complaints.

If you figure out how to deal, please, please let me know.

[Laura's Babies]

I find some people LOVE being miserable! That is the only way they know to communicate. Those are toxic people and no matter how you try to ignore them, they do pull you down. I just avoid them like the plague.

I had a family member that always spoke to their family in sarcastic tones and they responded in sarcastic tones, even to the kids and the kids to them. All conversations were sarcastic. I pointed it out to them and asked what the deal was. Thank God I brought it to their attention and they have worked on it and now they talk like normal people to one another.

[Cataholic]

I take a different approach, and readily admit conflict doesn't bother me. I point blank make a statement like, "wow, you are ALWAYS so miserable, I don't know how you stand it". Or, "You complain more than any single person I know". The 'kill 'em with kindness' thing is nice and all, BUT, if you are serious about ridding your life of toxic people, it doesn't get you to home plate.

Life is too short for nasty miserable people. I rid my life of them like I do all nasty habits. Even if you try to remain positive around them, it still spills over.

[CalliesMom]

I don't handle like that very well. I tend to take everything they say personally, so I just tend to avoid them at all costs. I have family members like that and it can sure be a pain in the you know what..

[ramanth]

We have an employee here like that. She's always complaining. She complains about how the place is run and how people are not doing their jobs right.

An example.. my boss and I meet every Friday. I know my boss is a very busy woman so sometimes when I get to her office, she's on the phone, or meeting with someone else. I'll wait paitently outside her door and the employee will rant and rave about how that's just awful for my boss to do that to me.

I'll smile and say that it's no big deal (which it isn't) and the employee will nearly burst an artery!

Now honestly, why get your panties in a twist over something that is no concern to her or her job?

I do my best to avoid her because of this.

I take a different approach, and readily admit conflict doesn't bother me. I point blank make a statement like, "wow, you are ALWAYS so miserable, I don't know how you stand it". Or, "You complain more than any single person I know". The 'kill 'em with kindness' thing is nice and all, BUT, if you are serious about ridding your life of toxic people, it doesn't get you to home plate.

Life is too short for nasty miserable people. I rid my life of them like I do all nasty habits. Even if you try to remain positive around them, it still spills over.

Oh how I WISH I could say that to a coworker here, but she's been with the place longer and I don't want to get fired.