When you're snapped at constantly over the smallest things yet no one else is

Has anyone ever dealt with someone who snapped at you constantly over the smallest things, usually things that really were not even worth getting snappy over, but not towards anyone else? Their behavior seemed to be directed just towards you. I once had a friend who would snap at me if I tried to tell a joke but then if someone else said the exact same joke, it was hilarious to her and it was even okay for her to say and do stuff, but not me. I am no longer friends with her due to how rude she became and how she felt like she was allowed to behave in a certain way but no one else was.

Also once I had a sponsor snap at me because I got a burger at Burger King, yet no one else was snapped at when they got what they wanted. Also the same sponsor snapped at me once for politely telling a couple people I didn't need help emptying out a practically emptied popcorn container. There was just a bit of crumbs left on the bottom and it was a small light container and I didn't need two other people helping me carry it. Just wasn't necessary. And I got snapped at for politely saying no and thanking them. I was snapped at over other small things when no one else did.

Although for her, she apparently was miserable and didn't like her job. She stopped behaving that way towards me immediately after getting a new job. Just wondered why some people will snap at one person but not at others for the same thing. Wasn't sure if in some cases it meant that the person being snapped at wasn't liked or valued as much or if there could be another reason. I get that in some cases, someone just may not be liked and others will find any reason to get mad at them over the smallest things just because they can. But in other cases, if the person actually is liked, then I'm not sure why this happens. It can be very confusing.

Do you have any clue as to why one person may be snapped at constantly over the smallest things but not other people? Is being younger than them or not being as assertive make you a target for this kind of behavior even if the person actually does like you? I have been snapped at for other reasons too from others, even if they seem to like me. Yet if someone else did the same thing, it didn't provoke a strong negative reaction. Could it also be some form of a power trip for the person doing the snapping? I just find this kind of behavior annoying and confusing. It can make me or anyone else in that situation think they are not liked, which in some cases may be true but not always.

I have a mixture of reactions here. In particular I am wondering at the context of the whole burger King thing. But yes, I have felt unfairly to be the target of a person while they did not do so with others.

Both of my ex-husbands were incredibly guilty of this. The worse part is they would do this to me in public. Humiliating and hurtful. I don't recall anyone I would consider a friendly acquaintance to be so cruel. You might want to evaluate this relationship.

I’m sorry you had to deal with that yourself. It is annoying and humiliating. And to clarify, what were you wondering about the whole Burger King thing?

I have experienced this in various situations in my life. I haven’t experienced it in a while. I limit what I say to people now though. Especially people like you are describing. I also watch for these behaviors. If I am around people like that and they seem busy or grumpy to me, I walk away from them immediately. I don’t know why it happens but I just stay away from it.

You didn't do anything wrong. It sounds like you are a civil, classy, and considerate person who chooses to take the high road.

It could be the age, it could be the lack of assertiveness. But ultimately for bullies, it's about knowing they could "get away with it."

I don't know which of the below applies to you, but here are a couple of possibilities:

1. Vulnerability: If you report a bullying supervisor for harassment, you could lose your job, etc.

2. You are an amicable pereson who desires peace and harmony: The bullies know you wouldn't report, retaliate, or stick up for yourself for the sake of avoiding drama.

The bullies tend NOT to "pick on someone his own size." So sad.

Yep it is best to stay away if possible.

Yeah true. The first one does not apply since I don’t like reporting stuff like that unless it was absolutely necessary. So it would be the second one, I avoid drama as much as possible. I don’t like starting it.

Or sometimes they pick on you because you seem too resilient and optimistic and they want to bring you down.

But you keep on taking the high road, and don't give them the power!

Yeah that can happen. And thanks, same for you!