[angustios101]

Ironically the last time I logged on here was right before I started my new job (4 months ago). Soooooooooooo.....I basically cannot handle dealing with "difficult" people. I knew this before starting my new job hence why I dropped out of grad school and became a hermit for close to three years but working has thrown that frailty right back in my face.

I am convinced this one coworker is out to get me and that he does stupid psychological warfare like" oh, here is this thing for your records" and then 10 minutes later says "have you read that thing yet? What do you think" then sending me into a flurry to read the thing since he has to leave work right then all to find out while I'm frantically reading for content and typos that he doesn't really want me to read over it at all given his monosyllabic responses to my "input".

So far I've been able to keep my real feelings for this asswipe to myself but I feel like one more incident might lead to a really unfortunate interpersonal event which could very likely lead to at least being written up and maybe even being fired. Also, just having to work with this douchebag makes me anxious; like if he walks by my office I get all tense. I know that I will find this problem in any workplace but I just hate it. I don't have the tools to "effectively" deal with this kind of person because I get so angry at their behavior and I take it personally. I got so upset today I went home and started looking for other jobs but then I got even more upset because in any other job there will undoubtedly be idiots like him sucking up air. So what's the point? I mean, I'd like to have an income but part of me feels like dealing with people chips away at what little sanity armor I have left and that ultimately I will just wind up worse off than if I had never attempted to rejoin the workforce in the first place.

Sorry this was long. It's just so depressing to me, this people interaction crap. I can put on a good show and play well with others but there is always that tipping point of no return that looms ominously.

[Perna]

I would find someone, books, something to help me learn how to deal with such situations and idiots? For right now, I would try to change my perspective (since you see what is happening) to one of amusement (can't get me because I know what you are doing!) and see if you can better recognize how well you do understand and how well you do handle the situation and add a "here it is again, sigh" piece of armor to your repetoire right away.

You don't have to like the guy/these idiots. As you say, they are everywhere. Take care of yourself (know who you are and what you are there for for yourself (money so you can live better than without money :-) and look around for some not quite so horrible guys to listen to and practice interacting with; with "nice" people you can talk to more naturally and who don't feel like they are out to get you, it is possible to share the what-should-I-do-with-this-guy? He probably does not just get under your skin, but other people's too; observing people (instead of hiding) can teach you a lot and make you feel better, since we all have our obnoxious types.

[AngstyLady]

I totally feel you, I have this azzhole I work with that's always on my case- a lot of my coworkers can't stand his sanctimoniously ego tripping personality either- but they've commented on the fact that he tends to pick on me the most. He likes to belittle people and play it off as 'jokes' and is chummy with the bosses so they are no good to talk to. I used to get seriously upset and we'd have verbal altercations- but now I'm better at controlling my temper and late his bs roll off my shoulders. I am still adamantly looking for another job though . . . .