Jeptha
Posts: 780
Joined: 9/18/2008 From: Portland, Oregon Status: offline
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I like the advice to stay above board and remain civil and polite, but I'd also like to offer another idea, even if the idea is just for consideration and not for acting on. I think it's a viable alternative to "call them out" on their behavior - preferably (in my opinion) with a minimum of drama. In other words, you can explain what you are feeling without being completely possessed by the feelings. It's sort of using your head while not denying your heart. Be honest about it, without attempting to be hurtful (or sophisticated, or whatever.) I think it takes practice to do this, though. And that kind of practice is probably best done with people who you are closer to and whom you trust more. An example of what I mean is to just ask, very politely, for clarification about the other's behavior and intention, in just those words: "What does that mean? Do we have a problem? I'm sorry, I'm confused: Is there something you'd like to say? Tell me more about that.", etc. It's tricky because you have to admit that something is bugging you, conceding a vulnerability of sorts. But, wow, that means you're human. Something we're perhaps too afraid to show at times. Like I say, this may not be the option to go with here. However, sometimes it is a good option to just get something out in the open.
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