Mean collegue? How to handle it?

Hi everyone

I'm Elin and I'm currently following a study where I also have to go to a work place for 3 days in the week, like an internship.

The work is all fine, but there's one collegue who is really mean to me. I don't know why but she always tries to knock me down and say bad things to me. I am standing with her in one room for 3 days in a week, 8 hours a day.

I already tried to tell her that I don't like the way she acts, but then it only gets worse. I can't go to my boss, because then hell will break loose.

The problem is that I have to work with her untill July 2015. That's so long! How am I going to survive it? There's no way that I can go to another place since I have my exams this year. I already have very low self - esteem and this makes it even worse.

I hope someone can give me some advice or tell their own experience..

Thanks

Elin

just know it is not about you, that this is just a mean person. whenever this person does something mean to you, tell yourself, this isn't about me, smile and go on with your work. when they see it doesn't bother you, they will eventually give up.

thank you!

She may be jealous or envious of you and/or your situation. That's really sad for her to have such low self-esteem that she must tear someone else down to elevate how she feels about herself.
Try reading this: How to Determine Why Someone Is Treating You Poorly: 8 Steps

I make up involved stories of a scurrilous, low, nature and mess with their head - they are never quite sure if I am making it up and taking the micky, or that I am telling the truth in which case they fear me. Either way they keep out of my road. You have to be quite evil to do this and you seem rather nice.

I know one or two things about 'mean colleagues'

It was my ex-room mate, he made my life hell with his passive aggressive fixation on me, he never said a thing, but still made me feel horrible.

They might eventually stop when they realize it isn't affecting you. For that to happen, you have to focus on your own work and not let them get to your head. I never a said a thing to my room mate, and he felt bad and apologized later, it meant a lot, and I don't hold grudges at all.

But then again, there are people that feed on other people's low self-esteem to make them feel better about themselves too. if it gets too much and it's starting to affect you or your work, maybe you should speak with her again, or tell your boss. Hard decisions have to be made sometimes. If it continues this way, I don't see how you can co-exist for 8 more months.

Hello Elin, You have a nice name.

Well, that happens to some people. Just ignore her and as time passes by, she will get tired of talking to you that way. I mean, don't mind her, don't talk to her. She's just a waste of time. Just pretend she's isn't there. I know you will feel uncomfortable and I know that will take time. It will subside, eventually. Cheers. I hope you, she will stop it already. Tel her to act like an adult. Cheers, Beautiful Elin.

It is all about control. The co-worker is doing her best to control you. If you do not stand up to her, such as reporting this, things will only get worse for you.

There is a technique in assertiveness called
'fogging'. As you know,you can throw a brick
at fog,or kick it,and it won't hurt it in least.
Sooo,essentially,you start to answer in 'maybe's. Like: "Yeah,you COULD be right",
or "Yeah,I can understand why you might
think that" (means nothing, confuses critic),
"Yeah,you're PROBABLY right enough",
"Yes,that's a POSSIBILITY". See,why it's
called fogging? As an addition,you could
start humming after you say it, that really
pisses them,and confuses even more!
Good Luck!
BLUEDOVE