Passive Aggressive Diaries

Understanding passive aggressive behavior in families, schools, and workplaces

by Signe Whitson

Child's Play: Why Passive Aggression Works So Well for Children

Lest you think that passive aggressive behavior is only for the experienced antagonizer, it is clear that younger children are perfectly capable of using compliant defiance to their advantage! Read stories shared by parents on the hilariously conniving, sugarcoated hostility of their young ones--and post your own tales for all to read & laugh! Read More

Passive Aggressive Behavior in the Workplace: Exposing Office Crime

By the nature of their covert acts, passive aggressive employees are skilled at evading the long arm of the workplace law. When employers understand the warning signs and quickly recognize passive aggressive patterns, they can protect their workplaces from being the unwitting victim of this ideal office crime.

"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding the items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. "So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked. "No," she replied, "but my husband refused to go shopping with me and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."

What humorously conniving tales of passive aggression have you seen lately? Read More

The Angry Smile: Recognizing and Responding to Your Child's Passive Aggressive Behaviors

As parents, most of us have been in situations where traveling the low road is irresistible and we become temporarily reckless in our driving. But anytime we mirror a child's passive aggressive behavior instead of modeling a healthier way to interact, our victories add up to long-term relationship damage and lasting hostilities.

The following guidelines offer parents strategies for maintaining their calm in a passive aggressive storm and responding in ways that lay the groundwork for less conflictual relationships with their children and adolescents. Read More

Signe Whitson is a licensed social worker and co-author of The Angry Smile: The Psychology of Passive Aggressive Behavior in Families, Schools, and Workplaces, 2nd ed.

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About Passive Aggressive Diaries

Passive Aggressive Diaries takes a light-hearted look at the humorous ways in which all of us encounter (and exude!) passive aggressive behavior in our daily lives. Please visit www.signewhitson.com There's nothing like a Diary to unload your own PA sins and to document the entertaining offenses of MIL's & BFF's. Please share your stories! (Just think how passive aggressive it would be to post a story about someone else's bad behavior!)