I'm insecure but most of the time am able to front confidence. Once in awhile I'll break frame and expose my insecurity to others. Sometimes the people who see this weakness decide to target me continuously with small and subtle acts of disrespect. To an outside observer these acts of disrespect would appear insignificant, but the "disrespector" and I both know that it is a continuous barrage.

Examples:

  • going out of their way to "innocently" annoy me by doing something like poking me
  • playfully mocking what I say
  • talking about me behind my back when I'm within earshot

My strategy to deal with people like this:

  • never get angry or show that what was said has effected me
  • give a witty/playful counters to direct attacks on me (e.g. mocking) that hopefully subtly pokes at their insecurities
  • when no comeback comes to me - or if it wasn't a direct attack on me (e.g. annoying me), try my best to display that I'm not effected at all. Smile playfully as if he's a friend of mine busting my balls, and dismiss it. Problem here is that he knows I'm insecure

I'm working the root cause (insecurity). But in the meantime, what do you think of my strategy? Any suggestions or other advice?