Re: how would a clever DIL behave while shes living with the inlaws...
Sadzzz,
There was this co-worker who would tactlessly make comments about my physical appearance. Perhaps it was jealousy....but I let it go because at times she could be nice and I tried to see the positive in her. When the boss favored me for something over her....she told me that the only reason he favored me was cuz he thought I was weak and couldn't handle it. Pathetic logic.... and very insensitive. It's funny she should say that when I was never competing with her. I let her go.
Anyways I let all of her transgressions go UNTIL ONE DAY......the boss said that we had to work in groups to do presentations on various topics. Me and my partner (another co worker) worked very hard on doing our research and presenting it during our staff development meetings. During this meeting.......this particular co-worker tried to sabotage our presentation. While we were presenting, she had the NERVE to scream out in front of everyone that we didn't know what we were doing.
It was very immature. Not to mention unprofessional. And to humiliate a presenter in front of others.....that is such low and cunning behavior. I was shocked speechless, fortunately my partner handled her. After this incident, I decided that I couldn't let things slide. I confronted her about the issue in a nice way.....and she cried. I'm not a mean person, by nature. I don't like hurting people. But her reaction surprised me. And she apologized for her mistakes. And I could tell it was genuine. There was a lot going on in her life and she was insecure. But now she'll hopefully **think twice **before trying to jeopardize another coworker's career. Because she'll realize that people will not always "let things slide."
Just getting an offender to "think twice" in the future can prevent someone else from becoming a victim and hopefully break a cycle.