3 pleasant ways to deal with people who aren’t so polite

Sometimes those around us, whether in our personal lives or in the workplace, don’t behave the way we’d want or expect them to. We regularly encounter varying personalities, some harder to deal with than others. When faced with someone who’s less than pleasant, the best thing you can do is react positively. Here are a few ways you can still be friendly and polite, even when those around you are not.

Kill them with kindness
It’s hard not to let others’ moods affect us. When someone is the office “Debbie Downer” it takes real effort to brush it off and remain cheery. Although it’s a challenge, keeping calm, staying friendly, and spreading kindness will benefit you (and others) greatly in the end. So, remember to smile and be kind always, no matter the circumstance.

Concentrate on connecting
Everyone gets in a bad mood from time to time, so don’t read too much into it if someone around you is feeling blue. But, if their negativity is a constant, there are things you can do to offer encouragement. Be careful not to pry too much into their business, but try casually connecting with them on how things are going. Ask them if they need any help with their work tasks or if they’d like to take a quick walk. Extending an olive branch to help someone who’s feeling down may make all the difference in the world to them.

Don’t take it personally
Sometimes people just need their space. So, even though it’s tough to be around someone who’s negative, their problem may not have anything to do with you. Try your best to not let it affect you and continue with your work responsibilities. If it remains an issue and begins to affect your productivity, you may consider bringing it up with your supervisor. But, until then, keep your head down and keep a positive outlook in the office and in life.