I'm a pretty straightforward kind of guy. I tend to say things as they are, likely with some sarcasm added and tend to act like a child essentially everywhere
other than any time when I work. I believe that if someone is paying you money for any type of work, you are getting paid to do the work on top of being as much of a professional as you can be. The two have to go hand in hand. Anyways, where I am getting at is that the only place you can't disconnect all conversation or let issues escalate further is the work place.
The problem with getting in arguments or lettings problems with a co-worker escalate is that it's always there. You can't come to work the next day, and the co-worker magically disappears because you don't want to see them anymore. The problem is the diffuse the situation without acting like a bitch. Just agreeing to anything, you may end up having a complete asshole co-worker who may take advantage of you being too nice. Then they are there every day, like the stereotypical unnaturally big high school football bully that's dumb but lashes out their family problems and insecurities at you. So you have to handle it delicately, like diffusing a bomb. Have I ever diffused a bomb or been in such a situation? No, but I've seen a lot of movies of people doing, that's got to be the same thing. Plus, I have no better metaphor.
office politics
The less time you interact with a troublemaker at work, the less likely there's going any trouble. However, do not try to ignore going to the washroom/water cooler/etc because that's when you look like a bitch, and they could sense it. Use short answers. Don't ask questions when addressing them that could take more than 1-2 words to answer unless it's work related. Keep the conversation short. I generally laugh at passive aggressive people when they talk to me like I don't understand what they're doing. It's hilarious how angry they get, but this might rank in the asshole but deserved way of handling such a situation. This should be obvious but if someone bothers you, being passive aggressive or insulting them will just make the situation worse.
Now I rarely ever get in confrontations work or elsewhere (not sure how to write that part without sounding like a high & mighty douche). I have been fortunate to have awesome co-workers for the most part everywhere I worked at. In real life, I instantly end it because I don't need high school negative drama and in the work force there's been two incidents that I remember which happened and I had to handle them as best as I could. I don't like drama and therefore surround myself with people who don't either, and I'd suggest you do the same.. based on my imaginary PhD in psychology and a lot of movies that I've seen. I
really feel bad if people take my advice to heart or as law. Here is a disclaimer that if things go horribly wrong, don't sue me because my opinion should not under any circumstance be taken too seriously.
