How to deal with a very difficult friend who makes me feel angry? (Pretty long read)
A while back I started a job at a place an old friend of mine (who is 24 years old) works at, who is quite high up there. Although it's only a shop and not very glamorous, I had been unemployed for several months and so I couldn't just turn it down.
Anyway, the guy in a position of power has proved very difficult to work with. There has been times where he's accused me of "disrespecting him as a supervisor" just because I would be undertaking tasks that he's asked me to do. I was one time stacking the bottom shelf and I was sat on the floor, and whilst there was other people in the shop, he started barking orders at me, like "get up!", which was embarrassing. There was one occasion where he actually waited for me to start my shift and as soon as I came in I was subject to a barrage of abuse. Why? Because a) I didn't come in an hour earlier like he expected me to, even though he previously asked me three times if I could, and I said that I couldn't, and b) Because I turned up on time, rather than however earlier he wanted me in, and was just finishing my cigarette off before coming in. Saying "why can't you just ****ing respect me?!" And when I told him that I didn't approve of being spoken to in such a way, he pulled the whole "oh, don't even say that!" ****. Not long after I started, he once got irate with me for innocently asking who I should go to for a reference. Then whenever a customer asks me something, he always waits until I begin speaking and then he just cuts me off and speaks over me, even when he's doing something else. He pulls rank on me all the time over stuff he has no authority over. Certain workplace gossip he "forbids" me from mentioning to other members of staff. Giving things to certain customers he doesn't like.
A while back we both had the same day off, and he wanted to do something, but I wasn't sure if I would, because I had things to do during the day, and then was to meet another friend that evening, which I actually did mention to him the day before, and I even said to him that I would let him know if I had any free time. So, the next time I'm in work, he says he's "pissed off" at me because I didn't get back to him, and I'm subject to yet more bull****. He actually even called me a liar, and got even more angry when I told him that it really wasn't a big deal, and that he was overreacting. I mentioned that I told him I was busy and he said "not too busy to go out with your other friends though, right?!". He demanded an apology and eventually I had to swallow my pride, just because I couldn't be dealing with his **** for four hours.
But the thing is, he's always been a difficult person anyway. Very short tempered, very needy, very quick to criticise and judge you, and stick his nose into things that don't concern him. In the past he'd send me texts saying "answer your ****ing phone for once!" if I missed a call for him for whatever reason, or "answer your ****ing door!" if he tried calling for me and I wasn't in. Accusing me of lying or making excuses if I'm unable to do something with him. We've been in bands in the past, and when I've had other plans with other people so been unable to practise, he's not taken it well. In one instance, I told the other bandmate I wouldn't be able to play on a particular day because I had some Uni stuff to sort out. So on that day he called me to ask me, even though I couldn't and said as such. The following day, I got a phonecall from him, basically having a go at me for not letting him know. He actually took time out of his day to do that. And when I was unemployed, he would act like it was his business and talk to me in an irate manner, whilst making assumptions about me and stating them as facts, like that I've obviously not been applying for any jobs, and that I'm never going to get a job purely based on the fact that one time I slept in until 1PM. As mentioned, he likes to stick his nose into my business a lot, and gets offended when I politely tell him that I don't need his help with anything and I am confident enough to sort my own stuff out by myself.
The thing is, when he's not acting like a prick, he's a very loyal friend. He's always willing to do me favours. He always pays me huge compliments and genuinely seems happy for me when something good happens. And when something bad happens, he seems genuinely concerned. Most of the time he does apologise for his dickish behaviour too, and says stuff like "I don't want to alienate you." I've been friends with him for over a decade, since school days. We've been in bands together. When he's in a good mood we always have a good laugh together.
A bit of context though. He has problems at home with his father, who has always acted overbearing towards him and is always picking arguments with him and acting aggressive and belittling him. He is obviously insecure, because he always talks himself up even when it's not true. He's even said, regarding another member of staff, "I feel sorry for her, because I'm pretty much her only friend", which I doubt is true. Our band broke up because him and the other bandmate would just fall out all the time, and the other bandmate even said to him that he has anger issues. He always seems to have some kind of personal problem going on, and strikes me as someone who is very self-conscious. He always points out stuff about himself, and says things like "I'm just a laid back guy, people tell me that all the time" or "I'm a mature person" or "I'm just nice to people."
I've just been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I've realised just how sick of his bull**** I am. Literally none of my other friends ever get pissed off at me the way he does, or say insulting things to me just because I don't do as I say. And I feel just as angry at myself for not pulling him up on it more, because I feel like a pushover. But it's because I know just how volatile and hostile he can be, and I just don't want to fall out with him or make things worse. But I don't want to lose an old friend who is, when it counts, very loyal. What are your thoughts?
Anyway, the guy in a position of power has proved very difficult to work with. There has been times where he's accused me of "disrespecting him as a supervisor" just because I would be undertaking tasks that he's asked me to do. I was one time stacking the bottom shelf and I was sat on the floor, and whilst there was other people in the shop, he started barking orders at me, like "get up!", which was embarrassing. There was one occasion where he actually waited for me to start my shift and as soon as I came in I was subject to a barrage of abuse. Why? Because a) I didn't come in an hour earlier like he expected me to, even though he previously asked me three times if I could, and I said that I couldn't, and b) Because I turned up on time, rather than however earlier he wanted me in, and was just finishing my cigarette off before coming in. Saying "why can't you just ****ing respect me?!" And when I told him that I didn't approve of being spoken to in such a way, he pulled the whole "oh, don't even say that!" ****. Not long after I started, he once got irate with me for innocently asking who I should go to for a reference. Then whenever a customer asks me something, he always waits until I begin speaking and then he just cuts me off and speaks over me, even when he's doing something else. He pulls rank on me all the time over stuff he has no authority over. Certain workplace gossip he "forbids" me from mentioning to other members of staff. Giving things to certain customers he doesn't like.
A while back we both had the same day off, and he wanted to do something, but I wasn't sure if I would, because I had things to do during the day, and then was to meet another friend that evening, which I actually did mention to him the day before, and I even said to him that I would let him know if I had any free time. So, the next time I'm in work, he says he's "pissed off" at me because I didn't get back to him, and I'm subject to yet more bull****. He actually even called me a liar, and got even more angry when I told him that it really wasn't a big deal, and that he was overreacting. I mentioned that I told him I was busy and he said "not too busy to go out with your other friends though, right?!". He demanded an apology and eventually I had to swallow my pride, just because I couldn't be dealing with his **** for four hours.
But the thing is, he's always been a difficult person anyway. Very short tempered, very needy, very quick to criticise and judge you, and stick his nose into things that don't concern him. In the past he'd send me texts saying "answer your ****ing phone for once!" if I missed a call for him for whatever reason, or "answer your ****ing door!" if he tried calling for me and I wasn't in. Accusing me of lying or making excuses if I'm unable to do something with him. We've been in bands in the past, and when I've had other plans with other people so been unable to practise, he's not taken it well. In one instance, I told the other bandmate I wouldn't be able to play on a particular day because I had some Uni stuff to sort out. So on that day he called me to ask me, even though I couldn't and said as such. The following day, I got a phonecall from him, basically having a go at me for not letting him know. He actually took time out of his day to do that. And when I was unemployed, he would act like it was his business and talk to me in an irate manner, whilst making assumptions about me and stating them as facts, like that I've obviously not been applying for any jobs, and that I'm never going to get a job purely based on the fact that one time I slept in until 1PM. As mentioned, he likes to stick his nose into my business a lot, and gets offended when I politely tell him that I don't need his help with anything and I am confident enough to sort my own stuff out by myself.
The thing is, when he's not acting like a prick, he's a very loyal friend. He's always willing to do me favours. He always pays me huge compliments and genuinely seems happy for me when something good happens. And when something bad happens, he seems genuinely concerned. Most of the time he does apologise for his dickish behaviour too, and says stuff like "I don't want to alienate you." I've been friends with him for over a decade, since school days. We've been in bands together. When he's in a good mood we always have a good laugh together.
A bit of context though. He has problems at home with his father, who has always acted overbearing towards him and is always picking arguments with him and acting aggressive and belittling him. He is obviously insecure, because he always talks himself up even when it's not true. He's even said, regarding another member of staff, "I feel sorry for her, because I'm pretty much her only friend", which I doubt is true. Our band broke up because him and the other bandmate would just fall out all the time, and the other bandmate even said to him that he has anger issues. He always seems to have some kind of personal problem going on, and strikes me as someone who is very self-conscious. He always points out stuff about himself, and says things like "I'm just a laid back guy, people tell me that all the time" or "I'm a mature person" or "I'm just nice to people."
I've just been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I've realised just how sick of his bull**** I am. Literally none of my other friends ever get pissed off at me the way he does, or say insulting things to me just because I don't do as I say. And I feel just as angry at myself for not pulling him up on it more, because I feel like a pushover. But it's because I know just how volatile and hostile he can be, and I just don't want to fall out with him or make things worse. But I don't want to lose an old friend who is, when it counts, very loyal. What are your thoughts?
He has some emotional issues - have you ever said to him, "you have some emotional issues, and it's sometimes difficult being around you because you tend to hurt my feelings/ embarrass or humiliate me / make things really difficult"? Tell him that he doesn't always interact with people in a healthy way, and even though no one does all the time (emphasising that you too are not perfect), it's really affecting your friendship?
I think all of your complaints about him are warranted, even though no one is perfect. Are you still working for him? I have to say it would be wise to look for something else in order to help save the friendship. He sounds like a terrible supervisor....
I'm sure a lot of people have cut him off because he is difficult to be around, and I think maybe this might be something he is used to.... but if you come from a position of showing him that you really do value him as a friend and that when he isn't being critical or generally mean he is a great person - that can really help. Being criticised and rejected for one's personality is really difficult, but talking about your issues with him from a place where he understands that you just want things to be better... is probably a better way to do it.
Probably be prepared for some backlash, it doesn't sound like he will take criticism easy. And maybe make it ok for him to storm off and come back - "if you feel like talking about this again, I'm always open to it, but if you feel you would not like to work on how you communicate with me, that's alright".
I would say try and improve things, if you do care about him as a friend. Really try. But when it starts to be detrimental to you in your life and your trying to be friends with him conflicts with being good to yourself and having good people in your life that make you feel good about yourself, then stop.
I think all of your complaints about him are warranted, even though no one is perfect. Are you still working for him? I have to say it would be wise to look for something else in order to help save the friendship. He sounds like a terrible supervisor....
I'm sure a lot of people have cut him off because he is difficult to be around, and I think maybe this might be something he is used to.... but if you come from a position of showing him that you really do value him as a friend and that when he isn't being critical or generally mean he is a great person - that can really help. Being criticised and rejected for one's personality is really difficult, but talking about your issues with him from a place where he understands that you just want things to be better... is probably a better way to do it.
Probably be prepared for some backlash, it doesn't sound like he will take criticism easy. And maybe make it ok for him to storm off and come back - "if you feel like talking about this again, I'm always open to it, but if you feel you would not like to work on how you communicate with me, that's alright".
I would say try and improve things, if you do care about him as a friend. Really try. But when it starts to be detrimental to you in your life and your trying to be friends with him conflicts with being good to yourself and having good people in your life that make you feel good about yourself, then stop.
Original post by Always.Inbetween
He has some emotional issues - have you ever said to him, "you have some emotional issues, and it's sometimes difficult being around you because you tend to hurt my feelings/ embarrass or humiliate me / make things really difficult"? Tell him that he doesn't always interact with people in a healthy way, and even though no one does all the time (emphasising that you too are not perfect), it's really affecting your friendship?
I think all of your complaints about him are warranted, even though no one is perfect. Are you still working for him? I have to say it would be wise to look for something else in order to help save the friendship. He sounds like a terrible supervisor....
I'm sure a lot of people have cut him off because he is difficult to be around, and I think maybe this might be something he is used to.... but if you come from a position of showing him that you really do value him as a friend and that when he isn't being critical or generally mean he is a great person - that can really help. Being criticised and rejected for one's personality is really difficult, but talking about your issues with him from a place where he understands that you just want things to be better... is probably a better way to do it.
Probably be prepared for some backlash, it doesn't sound like he will take criticism easy. And maybe make it ok for him to storm off and come back - "if you feel like talking about this again, I'm always open to it, but if you feel you would not like to work on how you communicate with me, that's alright".
I would say try and improve things, if you do care about him as a friend. Really try. But when it starts to be detrimental to you in your life and your trying to be friends with him conflicts with being good to yourself and having good people in your life that make you feel good about yourself, then stop.
I think all of your complaints about him are warranted, even though no one is perfect. Are you still working for him? I have to say it would be wise to look for something else in order to help save the friendship. He sounds like a terrible supervisor....
I'm sure a lot of people have cut him off because he is difficult to be around, and I think maybe this might be something he is used to.... but if you come from a position of showing him that you really do value him as a friend and that when he isn't being critical or generally mean he is a great person - that can really help. Being criticised and rejected for one's personality is really difficult, but talking about your issues with him from a place where he understands that you just want things to be better... is probably a better way to do it.
Probably be prepared for some backlash, it doesn't sound like he will take criticism easy. And maybe make it ok for him to storm off and come back - "if you feel like talking about this again, I'm always open to it, but if you feel you would not like to work on how you communicate with me, that's alright".
I would say try and improve things, if you do care about him as a friend. Really try. But when it starts to be detrimental to you in your life and your trying to be friends with him conflicts with being good to yourself and having good people in your life that make you feel good about yourself, then stop.
Very sound advice, and I have been contemplating pulling him aside at some point and just have a word. If only to stop my pride from being hurt altogether, because like I say, I try to be calm and diplomatic and not sink to his level of pettiness, but then I also feel like I'm a bit of a coward for trying to avoid conflict and not be more confrontational.
The thing is, other people at his place of work regard him to be a valued member of staff, and he does work hard. And around our other friends he seems a bit more mellow and not as irritable. For some reason though I just manage to bring out the worst in him, almost effortlessly at times. I just don't know what it is about me. He's clearly never liked that I don't always do as he says, and in the past has used words like "stubborn" or "difficult" to describe me when he's wanted me to do something and I haven't, for whatever reason.
To be fair to him, he's loosened up quite a lot recently at work, but he still has one or two moments where he makes me feel uncomfortable.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- How do I deal with spiteful classmates?
- Housemates Read my Diary !
- how do i go about remedying this?? friendships are in shambles
- I'm almost 21 and have never been in a relationship
- How to stop crying after being rejected?
- Dealing with the embarrassment of letting a breakup ruin you
- Why would a guy be offended that I stalked his social media?
- I let a break up from a 3 day relationship ruin my life
- How to 'settle' and accept not being good enough?
- Can't believe people are nice.
- Does my life suck?
- Just another rant from a depressed virgin 20 year old guy with no life...
- How to reject my mom?
- Why am I like this when it comes to someone I like?
- dont know
- Is my bf being controlling ?
- I can't trust anyone anymore.
- bullying (please help)
- Am I a terrible uni housemate?
- I feel like I can't talk to my parents.
Latest
Last reply 2 minutes ago
Official Dental Hygiene and Therapy (Oral Health Science) 2024 Entry ThreadDentistry
2862
Last reply 3 minutes ago
How many people in a flat in uni accomodation is too many?Last reply 3 minutes ago
CPS Pupillage/Legal Trainee Scheme 2024 (2025 Start)Last reply 3 minutes ago
Official University of St Andrews Applicant Thread for 2024Last reply 4 minutes ago
Official Durham University Offer Holders Thread for 2024 entryLast reply 5 minutes ago
LSE International Social and Public Policy and Economics (LLK1) 2024 ThreadLast reply 6 minutes ago
LSE anthropology and law 2024Last reply 9 minutes ago
How do you distinguish between primary and secondary alcohols by chemical reaction?Last reply 10 minutes ago
Civil Service Fast Stream 2024 - Applicants threadLast reply 10 minutes ago
Amazon Project management apprenticeship 2024Last reply 14 minutes ago
emmanuella's study discussions #1: motivation and disciplineTrending
Last reply 12 hours ago
My friend might be getting extra time and i hate it.Last reply 1 week ago
Just found out about UCL stat test but can't afford to sit itLast reply 1 week ago
Dad keeps criticising my university degree choiceTrending
Last reply 12 hours ago
My friend might be getting extra time and i hate it.Last reply 1 week ago
Just found out about UCL stat test but can't afford to sit itLast reply 1 week ago
Dad keeps criticising my university degree choice
