https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...speak-yourself

Today, I spoke up for myself to someone who has a very aggressive personality and who often speaks without thinking first. I kindly told the person that I wanted to offer them some feedback, after they responded to me via email very rudely. I pointed out assertively how I interpreted their tone and what they wrote, and asked them to try to see the situation from my point of view, which they refused to do.

They were surprised that I spoke up for myself after they insulted me, because they tried to belittle me and justify why they were so rude to me. Instead of acknowledging their behavior and apologizing for it, or acknowledge my point of view and show empathy of how they could see through my eyes, how their behavior made me feel, they just defended their behavior and accused me of being sensitive and over reactive, which is what some people do, when they don't want to take responsibility for their behavior.

I asked this person for advice and instead of offering me advice, they ridiculed me, insulted me, hurt my feelings, and put conditions on their "help" if I wanted it. Very arrogant, I thought. So, I assertively spoke up for myself and thanked this person for showing me their true colors. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.