Virtually all of us have been the subject of gossip or jokes at some point, some less funny than others. When these types of situations occur, many manage to handle the moment with complete peace of mind. However, not everyone reacts in the same way, and some people tend to get irritated or offended when someone makes a comment they don't like.
Who does not have at least one friend or friend who is offended by everything? The reasons behind this way of reacting are diverse and can significantly influence the relational aspects of the individual. In this Psychology-Online article we will see how to treat a person who offends for everything.
Why are people so offended? People who take offense at everything tend to easily resent gestures or words that are usually harmless to other people. Some main features presented by these people are:
- Difficulties accepting criticism.
- Susceptibility.
- Resentment in cases of disagreement.
On most occasions, behind this type of reaction there is a hidden general lack of self-esteem
Similarly, people who take offense at everything often perceive any criticism as a failure or as an attempt to discredit their own work.
The best way to deal with a person who is offended by everything is to communicate with positive language, avoiding ambiguities, double meanings, allusions and sarcasm. Likewise, it is important to try to identify the points where it is particularly sensitive to avoid colliding with him/her.
Here's how to deal with a person who gets offended by everything in different situations:
How to deal with a partner who gets offended by everything
What can I do if my partner is offended by everything? Susceptibility in the couple can lead to frequent misunderstandings and generate the doubt of not being loved enough. In these cases, taking offense is a way of verifying the attention and acceptance of the other, a kind of hidden blackmail that should not be reinforced, but deactivated with sweetness and understanding.
Therefore, in these cases it is best to reassure the couple about the strength of the relationship and about the fact that certain criticisms are limited and always refer to a certain behavior or situation, and not to his person. If you want to know more about this topic, you may also be interested in the article Learn to discuss as a couple.
How to deal with a friend who gets offended by everything
Friendship is freedom, even when it comes to "criticizing", although you have to learn to do it properly so as not to hurt the other person. For this reason, any disapproval should always be offset by affection and the demonstration of esteem.
On the other hand, we can try to help him understand that he is too touchy and vulnerable to give you tools to protect yourself from those who might want to hurt or criticize you.
How to deal with a coworker who gets offended by everything
If you work side by side with a co-worker who gets offended by everything, you have to get ahead of yourself, since deep down what he or she wants is to earn our esteem. For this reason, spare no compliments when he does something good and show him that you want to work with him, for example, by asking for his opinions and advice.
If he takes offense at something you've said or done, there's no need to make it a matter of principle. In these cases, it's better to apologize and tell him that you didn't mean to hurt him, rather than make things worse in the office.
How to deal with a boss who gets offended by everything
In the professional sphere, a boss who is offended by everything tends to appear as a tyrant or tyrant who can turn work into a real minefield. For this reason, in these cases it will be very important respect their limits and their role, and if something goes wrong, avoid personalizing and arguing too much.
Interacting with a touchy person who gets offended by everything can become an obstacle course because, like him/her, susceptible does not tolerate criticism or feeling questioned, a single mistake will suffice to provoke a reaction disproportionate.
As we have mentioned before, the best way to talk to a person who is offended by everything is to use positive language, be kind, avoid ambiguity, double meanings, innuendos and sarcasm. On the other hand, it is important to identify the points in which our interlocutor is particularly sensitive so as not to collide with him or her. The susceptible person should never be attacked, belittled or ridiculed, but should be helped to trust us and understand that you can talk about any subject without necessarily referring to it.
What not to say to a sensitive person
With a little diplomacy, intelligence and the desire to establish good communication, it is possible to manage the susceptibility of the people we love. In any case, there are some phrases for people who get offended by everything that you should avoid, such as:
- "I would do this if I were you."
- "You've gone too far this time."
- "You never accept criticism."
In the same way, interacting with a person who is offended by everything is not a matter of always criticizing him, but of establishing a healthy communication.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
