How to deal with miserable people?

[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.