My question is about how to deal with relational aggression in the workplace. In other words, this is the "covert" type of aggression that many women and some gay guys engage in. Think eye-rolling, smirking, excluding, ignoring, etc. In other words, covert aggression which allows the perpatrator to gas-lamp their targets when they do raise protest. This has been happening to me in a number of companies. No matter where I go, I keep finding myself working around women of which a huge number engage in this type of aggression.

As a typical heterosexual male that never engaged in such behavior I realize I have no idea how to combat or defend against these types. On the street and amongst my friends, I have always just engaged in direct aggression - like physical or directly verbal. For obvious reasons this is not the preferred approach in the workplace.

So what do you guys suggest? I'm not looking for softball solutions like complaining to HR (opens the door for gas-lambing - e.g. "Ok, so she rolled her eyes at you during a meeting. oookkkk..."). I want to be able to combat and shut this down hard. I've literally felt like cornering the bitch in the hallway and telling her I know what she's doing and if she tries this shit on me again there will be a price to pay. But this would open the door for harassment issues etc.

So what's a guy to do? Other than quit and find a new job. This is so frustrating - women are truly making the workplace toxic. What are some things I can do or say to shut it down hard.