When someone makes snarky remarks towards you it gets pretty old quickly. You can tell that the person has a problem with you, especially when they jump on everything single thing that you say.
It is not OK for someone to verbally bully you, at a certain point, you need to take a stand and let the person know that their behaviour is unacceptable. With family and work situations we have a lot to lose relationship-wise, so it can be better to respond with a smart but clean retort.
It’s true that you can choose your friends but not your family or workmates. Janice’s son in law was a smart ass, and he was incredibly rude towards her no matter what she said or did. At every family event he would shut her down publicly anytime she tried to engage in conversation with anyone at the table.
Janice decided to let him know she thought he was being rude, but she didn’t want to stoop to his level and create more issues within the family. The next time he made a snide comment towards her she politely put him in his place and repeated the process for the next three rude comments. By the end of the dinner, her son in law looked like the family jackass who was causing trouble anytime she spoke.
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You can’t control what other people do, however you can choose your reaction to it. Next time someone is making rude comments and snarky remarks towards you, shut them down with one of our great comebacks and come off looking like the good guy.
Top ten replies for someone who makes snarky comments
1. Enough already with the snide comments.
2. When you’re ready to talk to me respectfully, I will be ready to listen to you.
3. Maybe you should look at how you are treating me before complaining how I react to you.
4. OK, that’s enough sarcasm for one day.
5. I am not sure if you are being funny or being a jerk.
6. It was really hurtful when you called me X. I need you to talk to me in a respectful manner.
7. It’s a beautiful day to leave me alone and stop making snarky remarks.
8. If you can’t be kind be quiet.
9. Life is funny… people will point out what’s wrong with you but they can’t see what’s wrong with themselves.
Definition of someone who makes snarky comments
Someone who makes snarky comments is a person who is being sarcastic and critical. They will use a tone that lacks respect but with a pitch of superiority, all intended to undermine you.
That said, talking to a snarky person will be chaotic and might lead to altercations — if you don’t know how to handle them. Always make sure that you are in a safe situation.
How to deal with someone who makes snarky comments
When dealing with snarky comments, you’re going to have to take a deep breath first.
Afterward, you go ahead and read these tips.
1. Address the behaviour
Call out the person who makes snarky comments and address the issue with them directly.
Don’t be confrontational though, you have to talk to them clearly and discuss their behaviour that’s been giving you sleepless nights.
2. Don’t engage in the behaviour
The worst that could happen when you’re around a snarky person is if you become like them. So, please, don’t emulate what you don’t want others to do to you —that’s basic logic.
3. Set boundaries with people who make snarky comments
Boundaries are like a protection circle that keeps you safe from emotional and mental abuse. It’s important that you can draw a line of where you start and where they end.
Share these boundaries with them and maybe by talking, you can agree to something and compromise.
4. Encourage empathy
If you can encourage someone to reconsider their bad actions, then you should do it. Sometimes it takes a person telling you about what you did wrong to help you understand and wake up to reality.
5. Seek support
Especially when handling emotional and mental stuff, you can’t do things on your own.
You need a positive respite that your close family and friends can offer you. Take that support system and you can also seek out professional ones, if you have to.
If you let others control how you think and behave, it gives them power over you. And you definitely don’t want these negative remarks to dictate how your entire day is going to be like.
When someone barks out a snarky comment on you, you can decide not to let it take up space in your life. In these situations, you should learn to prioritize “You.”
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Famous people who have been called out for making snarky comments
Here are some famous people who have fun giving back-handed comments on almost everyone, unsolicited.
1. Simon Cowell
Handing out snide comments is Simon Cowell’s specialty. The music executive became famous for adding cynical moments on TV competition series like “The X-Factor.”
Simon mortifies contestants by speaking his mind, unfiltered, which prompts audiences to criticize him.
2. Piers Morgan
On British television, few journalists could compete with Piers Morgan’s snarky attacks. In the past, he has shocked TV audiences and social media followers alike, for leaving sarcastic and impertinent comments.
He has been sacked many times by the public due to his offensive style of journalism. But the English broadcaster seemed to couldn’t care less.
3. Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler is part’s comedian and TV host who loves to crack insensitive jokes at the expense of her famous celebrity guests. She would leave out compliments coated with hidden insults that led many to criticize her behaviour.
At one point, you’re going to get a snarky comment — it’s unavoidable. When it does happen, it would be nice to have built some mental muscle and deal with it in a healthier way.
But if your environment is getting toxic, you may have to get out of the situation fast. These snarky people are not worth a room in your mental space anyway.
The Role of counselling and self care
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When you are dealing with someone who makes snarky comments and you find it stressful, consider getting support from a professional. Talking to a counselor is a great way to work through a challenging situation, and help you find some strategies to work through the person’s behaviour.
Better Help is a great resource where you can talk to a counselor from the comfort of your own home.
Taking care of your own needs isn’t selfish, and you will feel better in the long run.
