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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.

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?

"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."

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#5

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

This passive aggressive car sticker...

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Falcon
Community Member
2 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.

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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.

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.

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#7

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

My gym is pretty passive-aggressive

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Raven Sheridan
Community Member
2 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.

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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."

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.

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#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.

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#11

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

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

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#12

Passive Aggressive Revenge.

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Something
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But does that include the roots? They're great for dandelion coffee.

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What sort of a total asshat minds the state of someone ELSE's lawn FFS?

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JessG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupid holier-than-thou HOA guy that has no life, so he's trying his best to be elected president of said HOA.?

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Petra Schaap
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sigh, in one of my FB groups there was this guy superproud that his lawn didn't have any, nor "other weeds, not even a clover" and it was always "short clipped" i suggested him to just pour concrete and paint it green, so he only had to mop it every once a week. He wasn't amused.

charlotteeema avatar
Wouldiwas Shookspeared
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are wonderful!! Happy little flowers, good for the soil, helps bees, and edible! Why would anyone honestly write this not to mention that its not even their yard?

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Iggy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing you should do with dandelions is put a bee hotel close by and have your own hostelry for our buzzy friends. A Bee & Bee!

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Ginta Avota
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate that obsession with clean lawns! If I'd have a lawn, it would be full of dandelions, lawn daisies, speedwells and other small flowers

bronnie69 avatar
Bron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd love my lawn! I don't think there's grass anywhere! (1/4 acre and a large verge)

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Tracey Hirt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fluffy is not amused at the thought of someone suggesting the eradication of his favorite snacks from the yard. Also, he would like to state that the bit of mustard green on his head is a fashion statement, and not the result of him being a messy eater. Fluffy-608...1b3fc9.jpg Fluffy-60871f71b3fc9.jpg

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cassiushumanmother
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My rabbit agree with "Fluffy the fluffliest dandelion eater ever"! And with his sense of fashion! And mr or mrs "Fakelifelesslawn" better not try to make war against plantain or she will turn into the Monty Python rabbit and send her new friend "Fluffly the dragon" burn their house while she cut them head off. Don't mess with their food!

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Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of every summer, I walk around my yard kicking the dandelions that have gone to seed. This year, there's a bumper crop in every lawn in my neighborhood. Grass is a useless crop that degrades the soil of nutrients. Dandelions are cheerful and beneficial insects love them.

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Misstaken138
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me and my daughter do the same thing. It's fun plus I happen to like dandelions.

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joanne_haywood65 avatar
Jods
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My garden. My rules. My lawn is a refuge for nature.

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Petra Schaap
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF no i won't do anything about the dandelions in my lawn, except encouraging them to grow!!

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Cynthia Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Japan dandelions are considered to be flowers, not weeds! And dandelions are "smart"...If you weed them by plucking the flower and/or stem, they grow back short and close to the ground...harder to pluck!!!:D

sueuser avatar
Sue User
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand how that works in US. Some flowers that started as weeds became state flowers. But the dandelion, of which you can eat the whole plant - flowers leaves and root - is considered a pest and we must eradicate it.

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Ronna Stefan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are important for bees, especially in the spring. Keep the dandelions and feed the bees.

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, you can eat dandelion greens when the'yre very young, and make dandelion wine! What's wrong with dandelions?

ashleysovig avatar
Ashley Wright
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does a neighbor care about the dandelions on someone else’s lawn?? Get a hobby, complaining neighbor.

biglebowski1128 avatar
Ray Lebowski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some people, especially in communities with HOAs and/or condo associations, complaining IS their hobby.

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Mare Freed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He'd hate me. I grow vegetables in my front (and back) yard. Town law says I'm allowed.

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Robin Childers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bees, which we apparently need to survive for some reason, LOVE dandelions. So I vote to leave them alone.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a busybody AH. If someone's dandelions are your biggest complaint, you're not doing too bad.

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Marykay Klim
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

love our dandelions, great for the bees and little kid's bouquets.

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Brenda Couvee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry, but you obviously don't have much going on with your life if you feel you have to ask your neighbour's to control their dandelions. smh

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Jane Alexander
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great hot with butter and they're a diabetes medicine! -but savve some for the bees, they need them too.

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Royer Potts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would rather have dandelions than a suspiciously weed-free lawn in an otherworldly shade of green that wildlife refuses to go near.

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Carol Emory
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have left a note back saying "Please do something about your passive-aggressive behavior."

biglebowski1128 avatar
Ray Lebowski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My note would have said, "Have a nice hot cup of STFU, preferably the decaf variety."

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Lærke Littlebird
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leave them for insects and a touch of colour in the monoculture desert ❤️

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Jonny d'Ville
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandpa legit thinks the end of the world is near. Hes planting dandelions. I feel bad for his neighbors

bettywood490 avatar
rabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are great! The flowers feed the bees; the leaves when cooked (or not) are tasty (I add a bit of vinegar and salt). So once the seeds fly away, dig up the roots for a coffee. The seeds will start the process over next spring.

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Sven Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a dandelion OBSESSED neighbor. Expected the same from us. She was absolutely relentless. Blew dandelion fluff into her yard over the back fence. 😈

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Diandra “Mss Didi” Blackthorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! I would have included, "Donation$ for professional lawn care accepted" and taped it to that neighbor's front door

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Anne Jackson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've started to let the dandelions flourish in my garden, I've heard that they're very important for the bees.

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Lynn Morello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But, Dandelions are useful herbs, Ask ANY witch, they will tell you.

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Lynn Greene
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions: the first spring food for honeybees. Good sign. Draw some bees

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Karen Anderson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell, no. That the first food for bees and we need them a lot more than another lawn and they are such a beautiful color. Before the invention of lawns, the golden blossoms and lion-toothed leaves were more likely to be praised as a bounty of food, medicine and magic. Gardeners used to weed out the grass to make room for the dandelions.

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Cathryn Cade
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL. there are 2 kinds of people in the world... I'm a dandelion lover myself.

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Christine Ladyman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fancy getting upset about someone else's dandelions! 🙄 And they're great for the bees, Karen!

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Aileen Grist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelion flowers make a great anti inlammatory cream and the leaves make good wine too,

biglebowski1128 avatar
Ray Lebowski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are beautiful little plants that break up the monotony of the typical lawn without getting in the way of kids' games. Why do some people obsess about them?

bronnie69 avatar
Bron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are gorgeous and a great food source for insects. yes, we need insects else the whole system dies (including us!)

annietlc71 avatar
Ann Coffman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents would pay us a penny per flower. If you catch them before they go to seed, you should see fewer dandelion plants that season.

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Deni Hunter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are the first food of the season for Bees. Leave them alone.

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స్టీఫెన్ ఆండ్రూ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why should they care about someone else's lawn? As long as it isn't long enough that it attracts snakes, it's no-one else's business.

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PurpleUnicorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are an important early nectar source for bees before other flowers come out. Leave them alone!

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Judith Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh good grief! LEAVE THE DANDELIONS ALONE !!! THEY BELONG TO THE BEES - WHO DESPERATELY NEED THEM! How can people be so obtuse????????

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Caroline Nagel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dandelions are the first food source for bees when they fly out again after winter. Please leave them where they are.

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was 12, I wanted a bicycle. My dad said I could earn the money by doing yard work. I got a penny for every dandelion I pulled with the root and five dollars each for mowing front & back yards. I got my bike and never have I been more proud of my hard work.

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Jods
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best thing about dandelion clocks? When one or more of the cats have been inspecting them and they get bits stuck on their little wet noses. The worst? When said cats come in covered in dandelion clocks and leave them everywhere like furniture and bedding.

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K Tigress
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't understand why people hate them. They prevent cancer or something like that. 🤔

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#14

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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

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#15

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

British passive aggressiveness at it's best

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Wilf
Community Member
2 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!

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#16

University Parking Authority Passive Aggressive Is In Its Own League.

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Will Cable
Community Member
2 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.

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#17

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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

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#19

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

Passive aggressive roommate preparing for valentines day.

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#21

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

My wife is a little passive aggressive.

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#22

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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Sum Guy
Community Member
2 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?

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#32

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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

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#35

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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

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#37

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
2 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'

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#38

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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Kay blue
Community Member
2 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.

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#40

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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Falcon
Community Member
2 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.

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#43

Passive Agressive Gas Station

passive agressive gas station

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#46

This Passive Aggressive Sign In A Restaurant Bathroom

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Cheri Aline Sydney
Community Member
2 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 !!!

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#48

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

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Memere
Community Member
2 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.

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#50

Passive-Aggressive-Exchanges

A really passive aggressive license plate I saw today.

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