How do you respond to people who obviously really dislike you but aren’t mean?

[MissSunshine2]

In cases where you’re not being unpleasant to them or anyone else, but one or two people just realise they really can’t stand you. Even sitting near you is too much effort?

I’ve met one or two people like that, one in particular. How do I handle this with grace? Do I keep saying hello to her to be polite or just stay out of her way as much as possible?

[Anonymous]

It would be case by case thing with me. First off, I don't care. I mean, sure I'd like to get along with everyone. But you can only handle your half of the interaction. No I wouldn't say, "hi" to her. Nor would I give her any fuel to think she's affecting me. This is her problem, something she has to work out for herself. To act any other way would to give her treatment some form of legitimacy. Some people like to control everything. You know the type, person #1 you belong here. Person #2 you do not. And those type of people will pressure the situation to bending to their will. But if nobody gives into their pressure they'll either eventually adapt to the fact that they're not going to get their way. Or they'll eventually just leave.

[bowenw]

I try to keep things on an adult level and not lower myself to their level. I find mirroring their behaviour is often a good way to deal with it if necessary.

[bowenw]

Thank you for the MHO. 😊

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

I worked with a guy like that. Dude was a total kissass, only really making friends with management and maybe some of the guys as long as it was clear they shared his political values (which was only like 1 guy and 0 women). We basically never spoke unless it was work related and when I would attempt to make small talk, he would dismiss me and that was enough for me to decide he wasn’t worth the trouble. So I gave him a wide berth, and when he wasn’t around management and I would talk shit behind his back as I suspect they did to me when I wasn’t there.

[MontBlanc]

If someone clearly dislikes me but isn’t disrespectful, I usually keep it neutral and professional.

Not everyone has to like me, and I don’t need to win them over.

As long as there’s basic respect, I match the energy , polite, brief, and boundary aware.

Sometimes distance is healthier than forcing warmth.

[serious]

Well, I am just indifferent to them. Simple. If they are not interested in talking to me then I am not interested either.

[msc545]

I simply don't speak to them. I literally have nothing to say to them. I don't make eye contact with them and I don't acknowledge their presence.

[jahaims]

Context matters