Hitting someone below the belt is not cool and frowned at in combat sports or real life. That is exactly what passive aggressive behaviours are, but in this case unlike in a boxing match, both the aggressor and the 'victim' suffer especially if the people on the receiving fell for it.
Many child are raised in environments where it is 'allowed' to be angry at anyone. They must be cool and act cool every time. They are not allowed to speak back or at, especially someone older, even when they are hurt. A child with this kind of upbringing grow up with frustration that becomes patterned into behaviours of resentment. This same scenario can play out in the lives of an adult, but may not be obvious as a child.
Red Flags of Passive Aggressive Behaviours
A person may exhibits behaviours towards others because of the resentment they are feeling for them. But these behaviours can become natural to some, that they have permanently become sullen and display irritating behaviours towards others without them been conscious of it.
Silence Treatment : This kind of silence can never be golden, it is a silence use to surpress our angers. And this eventually will result in outrage if the issues are not taken care of.
Been sullen and midly insulting : Been sullen in conversation and grumpy in behaviours are obvious signs. These people also throw subtle but insultive comments or jokes at other people. It is a way of masking yet expressing their displeasures.
Doing a poor job : This behaviour is common to the children, or some employees in a workplace. Intentionally doing a poor job below what the person is capable of is a way people show anger and displeasure to 'forced' authority.
Perpetual lateness and Procrastination : It comes with the same thinking as doing a poor job, lateness and procrastination are also silent rebellious acts.
Using Conversation Killer : When you can't just get anything or any goodwill or cheerfulness from someone no matter how hard you tried. They are always killing the conversations with one linears like 'fine', 'thats good', 'nice' etc
Dealing With People with Passive Aggressive Behaviours
People that exhibit these behaviours are not necessary bad people. They are just people that are hurting by your or other people behaviours, but are too nice/courteous to let out their angers or displeasures directly. They surely need some understanding or even helping if you can. They are people hurting but are not saying it directly because they are avoiding conflicts.
One thing with been on the receiving end of these behaviours is never to get mad. Getting angry vindicates the aggressor - "See he is at fault, he is the crazy one".
Thank you for reading.