In this world, there are many different types of people. One thing I’ve learned is that many of those types are just outright difficult to deal with. For me, the most challenging people that I have to deal with are in my workplace. We have everything from know-it-alls to the “I’m not racist” racists.

My workplace experience has given me various encounters with difficult people. One thing that I’ve learned is that you really have to know when to fight your battles. Where I work, know-it-all types run rampant and try to make sure that everyone can hear each and every thing that they have to say. It’s almost daily that I see someone getting into an intense “conversation” because something is said that they don’t agree with and they take offense to it. When these types of conversations come my way, I’m pretty sure that I frustrate people. Why? It’s simply because I’ve figured out the best way to shut down a know-it-all is to basically make it clear that you don’t particularly care about what they think they know. I generally try to avoid conversations about money, religion, and politics – even though they tend to be the most popular they also tend to be the most controversial…

“Ain’t Nobody Got Time Fo’ Dat” – Kimberly “Sweet Brown” Wilkins

My career field is predominately not black. But, in case you haven’t noticed, I am black. Difficulties arise from the fact that I’m college educated, speak well, write well, handle myself professionally, have goals, actually love my wife, and favor doing homework over the party scene. I have actually been told that I am “an anomaly” by some of my counterparts. I don’t really understand what that is supposed to mean or how I’m supposed to respond. Like, would they prefer me to be an unruly country-boy with a GED? What the hell is a ‘regular black person’ anyway? I abhor that phrase. I have even had someone ask me why it’s okay for black people to say the N-word and not okay for white people to say it. Seriously.That’s the type of people I deal with. It’s frustrating because I think to myself “Why do you even think that is an acceptable thing to ask ME?” I don’t even use that word, but that’s besides the point…

How do I deal with it? For one, I don’t react the way they probably expect for me to. My wife always tells me that it’s a blessing and a curse that I am extremely hard to get stirred up. It takes a lot of effort to really get a rise out of me. I’m sure that people in similar situations would cuss the person out, beat them up, or respond in any number of other negative ways.

For me, the best way of dealing with difficult people is by not giving them the time of day. I don’t allow myself to be bothered and therefore I don’t get upset with what goes on around me. By handling things this way I can keep my sanity, maintain my professionalism, and most importantly I can keep an assault charge off of my record.