5 More Crazy-Makers

(For the first part of this article, see: 5 Classic Crazy-Makers)

Now that we’ve touched on how to cope with the Control Freak, the Know It All, the Constant Crisis, the Co-Dependent and the Cheat, it’s time to expand our crazy making repertoire! After all, there are plenty of destructive people in the world and, like it or not, we have to deal with them on a regular basis. So, rather than letting these annoying attitudes get the best of you, here’s how to tackle them before you reach your sanity’s end zone!

The Passive Aggressive

Not courageous enough to deal with confrontation, these (sometimes unintentionally) underhanded types still need to have their plentiful opinions heard. As a result, they try to frame them in non-aggressive ways – “don’t you think you’d be better off if you did [things my way]…?” is a common passive-aggressive refrain. Their goal, of course, is to make you feel insecure. Whether that’s to build themselves up or avoid taking blame when they’ve screwed up depends on the circumstance. Rather than letting these responsibility-evaders get away with their schtick, call them out on what they’re actually trying to say. Odds are, they’ll deny it… but maybe they’ll think again before trying the same tactics on you next time!

The Lecturer

These vainly verbose types don’t even pause to take a breath… Especially when they’re telling you what it is you should be doing differently. Lecturers can be well intentioned (after all, they’re only trying to “help”), but no matter. They’re annoying all the same, even on the rare occasion that they’re right. In fact, sometimes that’s even worse! Rather than sit through another instructional tirade wherein a Lecturer doesn’t come up for air (while you somehow manage to feel suffocated!), simply agree with their point and change the subject, or ask them to respectfully note your desire to agree to disagree and move on to something – or someone else.

The Blindsider

Everything seems hunky dory when the Blindsider first shows up. Then – wham!  They ambush you with a sneak attack so fierce that you’re caught off guard. Weren’t you just having a perfectly good time? Most likely, yes. The trouble is that these conniving creatures bank on the element of surprise in either hurting your feelings or showing you who’s boss. Don’t let them win! The next time a Blindsider comes out of nowhere with a score to settle, stay calm and refute them – either with a barb just as sharp or, better (since they won’t know what to do with it), a killer helping of kindness. They may keep trying to get your goat for a while, but once they see it’s impossible, they’ll give up and try to blindside someone more susceptible!

Mr. or Ms. Too Cool for School

Nothing can impress these been-there-done-that jetsetters… at least that’s what they want you to believe. Mr. or Ms. Too Cool For School doesn’t show enthusiasm or excitement. Doing that would indicate that they’re wowed by something new to them, and nothing is new to them. Ever. Rather than feeling the need to stifle your excitement the next time you’re around one of these cooler-than-thou crusaders, express yourself authentically. It may not make you “cool” in their eyes, but what would? After all, it’s impossible to impress the unimpressible. Authenticity is a lot cooler anyway!

The Contrarian

It doesn’t matter what you say, these argumentative annoyers are bound to disagree. In fact, they’ll probably say exactly the opposite – just to get your goat (or make themselves feel informed and important). More than likely, contrarians don’t care if they’re actually wrong, they just want you to think they’re right… These are not people who listen to reason, and as such, they’re better ignored (politely or blatantly – it’s up to you). After all, what you’ll face should you choose to face off with them is an absence of logic. These are people for whom pesky “facts” often get in the way.

What are your favorite crazy-makers?