ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes it's not about what you say. It's how you say it. There are people whose passive-aggressive remarks are so creative, so petty, so next level, you can't help but respect their words. Even if you're on the receiving end.

Yes, passive-aggressive behavior can be a symptom of several mental disorders, but it's not considered to be a distinct mental health condition. Even though this type of behavior can affect a person's ability to create and maintain healthy relationships and can cause problems at work, there are ways to manage it so that it doesn't have a negative impact on someone's quality of life.

So let's hope the folks who ended up on this list are managing it just fine!

Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D., a Los Angeles-based psychologist, whose specialties include relationships, told Bored Panda that passive-aggressive behavior is behavior that communicates how a person is feeling, but not in a clear or direct way. "As a result, the recipient of this behavior often may be confused or miss the real reason the person being passive-aggressive is acting or talking a certain way," Thomas explained. 

As you can see in the pictures, people exhibit passive-aggressive behavior in a number of different ways. According to Thomas, they can do so through words and/or actions, and examples include slamming things, getting overly defensive, yelling, getting overly emotional, having a negative tone or words, etc. all for seemingly no reason.

You May Also Like:

If uncontrolled, passive-aggressive behavior can have grave consequences to relationships between people in families, romances, and even in the workplace. So why is this destructive behavior so common?

ADVERTISEMENT

"A person can be passive-aggressive for a variety of reasons," Thomas said. "Some of these include having a fear of confrontation or conflict, not knowing how to express oneself with direct communication, having difficulty or being unable to identify what one is feeling, having self-doubt or ambivalence about what one is thinking or feeling, not wanting to emotionally hurt the other person with the direct message, etc."

#5

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

This passive aggressive car sticker...

balasurr Report

Add photo comments
POST
stonewoodoo avatar
Falcon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, I legit need this sticker. I dislike driving in general, and that's one of the reasons why.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Some experts suggest that the roots of passive-aggressive behavior may lie in a person's upbringing. For example, if someone was raised in an environment where the direct expression of emotions was discouraged or not allowed, they may feel that they cannot express their real feelings more openly, so they may instead find ways to passively channel their anger or frustration.

But situational characteristics can also have an impact on passive-aggressive behavior. When you are in a situation where displays of aggression are not socially acceptable, such as dealing with business partners or certain family members, you might be more inclined to respond in a covert way when someone makes you angry.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also, as Thomas pointed out, being assertive and emotionally open at the same time can be hard. When standing up for yourself is difficult or even scary, passive-aggression might seem like an easier way to deal with your emotions without having to confront the source of your anger.

#7

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

My gym is pretty passive-aggressive

Onduri Report

Add photo comments
POST
raven_sheridan14 avatar
Raven Sheridan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oof! A lot of males insecure in their masculinity are suddenly returning their weights.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

It sounds self-explanatory, but in order to defuse passive-aggression, you have recognize it. Sulking, backhanded compliments, procrastination, withdrawal, and refusal to communicate are all tell-tale signs of passive-aggression.

"Although each situation varies, a good response to someone who is being passive-aggressive to you is to be clear and direct in a non-confrontational, calm way with that person," Thomas said. "First, point out your confusion if that person is upset about something that involves you. Let them know that his or her words or actions seem out-of-proportion and out-of-place to the given situation and that you would like him or her to tell you directly if there is something upsetting him or her related to you. Hopefully, this will either make that person aware of their passive-aggressive behavior and take steps to decrease or stop behaving in those ways and/or make it easier to share what they really are upset about."

ADVERTISEMENT

However, if they mean no harm and you're OK with their attitude—maybe their light-hearted, poetic passive-aggression even cracks you up—share it with the Internet. We appreciate a good one-liner when we see one.

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

So Close

We just moved into a townhouse with a 2 car garage and my roommate doesn't quite leave me enough room to park (My car is the silver one). I came home around 2:30 and was not having it so I pulled up as close as I could to her so I could fit. I had the same amount of room on the driver side. I don't know if I could do that again so I thought I would share before this gets downvoted to usersub hell.

TheWhiteCollarBrawlerMann Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

I Woke Up To Find A Message From My So...

I woke up to find a message from my SO...

imgur.com Report

#12

Passive Aggressive Revenge.

TedBuckley Report

#14

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

The passive aggressive sign at I place I'm visiting.

NOTLD1990 Report

#15

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

British passive aggressiveness at it's best

ChopsMagee Report

Add photo comments
POST
wehf100 avatar
Wilf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leave a gate how you found it. It it was closed, close it behind you. If it's open, leave it open. farmers have reasons for leaving gates open too!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

University Parking Authority Passive Aggressive Is In Its Own League.

schulerbenson Report

Add photo comments
POST
star44886 avatar
Will Cable
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It annoys me when you see people working in a store on the cash register/till and a customer is on the phone and treating the staff like dog dirt on their shoe.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

My dad found my passive aggressive note that I wrote to the tooth fairy. It was better than I remember.

judokitten Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#19

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

Passive aggressive roommate preparing for valentines day.

Jiminycricketmuncher Report

#21

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

My wife is a little passive aggressive.

waterwings89 Report

#22

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

sturdyAlex Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha... but if you don't explain it, then how will the priest give you advice on what to do instead of what you did and how you did it?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#32

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

This is what happens when people submit passive-aggressive office memos where I work.

Brodoor Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

My wife made me a passive aggressive flow chart to use every time I get hungry

biscoff_nutella Report

#37

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

seriouslywheresjackie Report

Add photo comments
POST
cybermerlin2000 avatar
cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw one that said 'If you pee everywhere when it's right in front of you and less than a few inches away then it's too small. Take a seat and protect your shoes'

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

best.periodt Report

Add photo comments
POST
kayblue avatar
Kay blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow and you only needed an expensive piece of tech to work that out.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

clur19 Report

Add photo comments
POST
stonewoodoo avatar
Falcon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't even see the colored in triangle. 🤦‍♂️Confused the hell out of me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

Passive Agressive Gas Station

passive agressive gas station

icorrectyourgerman Report

#46

This Passive Aggressive Sign In A Restaurant Bathroom

teelurt87 Report

Add photo comments
POST
takpozehnani avatar
Cheri Aline Sydney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*** Sure, Timny. Like starting with 3 asterisks.... & ending wirh 3 exclamation marks !!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

nick.cam Report

Add photo comments
POST
mriche avatar
Memere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate coworkers who leave their dirty dishes & lunch trash out for others to clean up - as if they are better than anyone else & can't be bothered.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

A really passive aggressive license plate I saw today.

Arbeter3 Report

Note: this post originally had 71 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.