Quote Originally Posted by catnapper
. she belittles me and makes fun of me every chance she can get. From how I answer the phone to the way I walk - she's made more than enough little comments disguised and giddy little jokes.

She continually tries to get me in trouble and ends up making herself look like a fool.

Any ideas to help me put her in her place without fighting? I truly do not want to fight.
I've had some experience with the type of person of which you speak. I do believe it is an intense feeling of inferiority that makes her want to put down others. From my experience you are not going to be able to *put her in her place* because she is already there and this is her way of trying to compensate.

What works for me in dealing with this type of individual is recognizing that this behavior isn't about you- it's about her and just ignoring it. What you can't ignore, pretend it doesn't bother you. You might find (as I did) that sooner or later it actually won't bother you as much.

Reacting to the behavior in a intense way only lets her know that she has succeeded to putting you down and internally that is what she is looking for.
Why would you want to acknowledge that these criticisms are in anyway something you take to heart? Say she comments on the way you answer the phone. You might respond by saying, *Well, that's an interesting way of looking at it.* in a lilting manner and go blithely on your way. The key is for you to come to accept that her opinion is not one that matters to you. Please don't let her put you in a position of acting in any manner other the professional decorator and representative of this store which has brought you the success you have so well earned.