We’re all a little difficult at times.  I admit that I can be a challenging person in certain situations, but I’m not different than anyone else.  Some people, however, are a little more challenging than others.  They’ve got big egos and think they’re way is the best way.  We all know the type.  I like to call them difficult.  Back in my corporate training days, I remember writing a course about “dealing with difficult customers”.  I talked a lot about active listening and patience.  But that’s when it’s with customers, you kind of have to deal with them as part of your job, but what if it’s a relationship? Someone you’re dating?  Do you really have to?

Difficult people are  a reality of life, some people are more easy going than others.  I have become much more easy going as I got older and life happened to me.  I realized that you can’t control what happens to you but you CAN control how you react to what happens to you.  I am a bit of an impulsive person and that definitely gets me into trouble that’s for sure.  Now back to difficult people … what if these difficult people are the people you’re dating?  How do you deal with difficult dates?  Sometimes we meet people that are great but they’re just a bit more difficult than most … it’s really truly a case of “it’s not me it’s you”.  What do you do?  First and foremost you have to decide whether or not this person is even worth your time.  Sometimes they are more trouble than they are worth and you just need to move on.  If you do decide to stay, here is what works for me when dealing with difficult people when dating …

It’s NOT Me It’s YOU

Difficult people manipulate situations to maneuver them to their favor, that’s something you need to keep in mind when dealing with these kinds of people.  They will do what they have to in order to get what they want.  They are also very unpredictable and moody.  You never know what to expect, but really, when you learn their ways you learn how to deal with it accordingly.  You need to meet them where they are at not where you are.

1. Keep Calm. When dealing with difficult people you have to keep your head.  You can’t be reactive, you need to step back and think for a moment.  You don’t want to feed the beast.  Trust me, from personal experience being the difficult person and dealing with them, a level head is the most powerful weapon in your arsenal.
2. Leave Them Alone.  When dealing with a moody person you just need to leave them alone when they want to be alone, they’ll come back when they’re ready.  Don’t be too pushy or bug them.  People just need their space sometimes, some more than others.  Think of yourself when you want to be alone, it’s the same thing.  It’s typically not personal.  If they go and never come back, well then move on.  You don’t need that kind of drama.
3. Active Listening. Show them you get where they’re coming from by repeating what they said in different words.  Saying “I understand you’re having a bad day because of X, sorry to hear that”.  Listening and asking questions leads to more accurate understanding.  Ask them at this point if there’s anything you can do.  If not, then leave them alone.  If yes, then try and understand where they are at.
4. Understand. Find out why they are being so difficult.  Maybe there’s something going on.  Be available and clarify what’s happening to them without being pushy.  Agree with them if there is some truth to what they are saying.  Validate their feelings.  If they are taking out their frustrations on you then you need to find out why.  It is never OK to be abusive, so don’t tolerate abusive language or behavior.  However, do let them know you’re there if they need to talk and leave them alone until they are ready.
5. Stay Positive & Be Forgiving.  I’ve said before negativity breeds more negativity.  If you stay positive with a difficult person then they will turn around.  No good can come out of reacting against someone who is in a negative and difficult mood.  Protect yourself and spend your energy in more productive, positive places.  Don’t hold on to all the negativity and just forgive.  Let go.  These difficult people are in a bad place at that moment in time.  It’s not worth holding a grudge against them.  They usually aren’t coming from a malicious place and if they are and you know that they are, that’s when to cut them from your life.

Still think these people are worth your time?

That’s for you to decide, sometimes they are.  I know I have some difficult people in my life that I choose to keep around because they are more good than bad.  I appreciate the people that kept me around when I was most difficult.  The most important thing is to remember to keep telling yourself when dealing with difficult people when dating is really “it’s not me it’s you”.  It’s not your fault, or your problem, that they are the way they are.  You can’t change them, you just have to accept them the way they are.  If you can’t, then move on, it’s not worth your time or energy.

Have you dealt with difficult people when dating before?  What did you do? Did you even bother? Why or why not? Would love to hear your experiences in the comments!!

Your Sister in Dating Bliss,

Single Dating Diva

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