Passive Agressive Behavior by CoWorker

Hello- Maybe some of you experts can help. I work in a medium size office. A co-worker who I do not report to but has a high position in the company seems to have some kind of grudge or vendetta on me. Its hard to pin down, but basically its all in the way he walks by my cube and glares at me. Its subtle but unquestionable if you observed the body language.

I can't think of a diplomatic way to confront him or if i go to a superior without looking like a jerk about it.

Have you thought of asking him if you have upset him in some way ?

Perhaps you can say .....

Have I upset you in some way only thats the impression I get with the way you look at me ? Maybe I am being paranoid if so I am sorry.

Or

Smile at him everytime you see him see if that works ?

yeah - i think i'd say hey, what's up, you look like you're in a bad mood.
Some people really have no idea how they come across! Maybe he's clueless, maybe you remind him of someone (transferrence) and he doesn't realize he's glaring at you. Maybe he wishes he had your worspace (lol) we just really have no way of knowing what is going on in the other person's head unless we ask.
Best of luck on this!

You are deciding what he is thinking by looking at him walk by.
The only way to know what he thinks is to talk to him.

I once had a co-worker that I thought hated me. This idea came from the fact that when we passed he was always frowning.
I was in REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy) at the time and so I challenged my interpretation because I had no "proof". To get the "proof", I decided to just say "Hello" to him a few times and see how that went. And I also talked with another co-worker about this guy, just in general wondering 'what is he like?'.

What I discovered was that he was not only working full time but also going to school and close to graduating and getting his degree. He really wanted to stay on and move up in the company so he was working very hard. He was also part of a team that was developing a new product for the company.

As you can imagine, this was quite a load for this young man.

The first time I said "Hi, XXX!", he looked at me as if he was just seeing me. The frown melted into a big smile. I continued and, although he had little time for small talk, we got to the point of exchanging a few words.

From then on, when he went by frowning, I knew he was merely thinking as he walked, maybe his mind was on the task he just finished, the one he was returning to, or whatever.

I have since tried to not interpret facial expressions, and instead go for the "proof".

So the next time he walks by, smile and say "Hello!" and see where it gets you

Hello rsargonnes and welcome to PC!

I have to agree with Echoes here, it's very possible that you're transferring how you think he feels at this point.

Welcome to our PC community!

Sure, its possible you're maybe misunderstanding his "glare" or body language. I do it ALL the time, even with people I know. The only way to ease your mind a bit, I believe, it to ask your co-worker directly what is going on!

Good luck to you.

Dee