Are You Passive-Aggressive?

By: Brian Whitney
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Are You Passive-Aggressive?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Being aggressive isn't cool. The best way to be in life is to be forgiving, mellow, and zen, but that is not always possible, and that is where aggression comes in.

Pretty much every war that has ever started has been because people have been too aggressive, and if you are in any relationship, whether it be with your friends, your family, or the one you love, you know how much a big fight can be a drag. In fact, there is probably only one thing worse than dealing with an aggressive person, and that is dealing with someone who is passive-aggressive:  it could mess up your mind.

People that are passive-aggressive get just as mad at you as aggressive people do, but you are never really sure. They might pout and pretend that they aren't, they might procrastinate and pretend they aren't: basically, they will play any mind game that they can think of to get back at you, without ever letting you know. Passive-aggressive people are pretty much the ninjas and Jedis of the world; you can't win because you don't even know you are fighting them.  

So where are you on the passive-aggressive scale? Take this quiz to find out. 
When you are mad at someone, do you not finish chores on purpose?
I don't really get mad at people often.
I do that sometimes.
No, I do my chores extra well, just to prove a point.
Yes, I do that all the time.
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Do you always pay your debts?
Of course.
Usually.
Yeah, but I don't like it.
No way.
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When you borrow something, do you always return it?
Well yeah.
I try to.
Yes, I don't want to be accused of stealing.
Sometimes.
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Have you ever taken anything from someone who "deserved it"?
I am not even sure what that means.
No, that would be wrong.
Yeah, and I let them know I did it.
Yes, more than once.
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Do you withhold compliments from people if you are mad at them?
What point would that serve?
Sometimes, that is a natural thing to do.
I don't even see people I am mad at.
I do that all the time.
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Do you tell people when you are mad at them?
It is hard, but I try to.
Sometimes.
Oh yeah, I do.
Nope.
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Do you tell your significant other your plans at the last minute?
No, that would be rude.
I try not to.
No I tell them right away.
Yes, I do that a lot.
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How often do you say "Whatever!"?
Never.
Sometimes.
Often.
All the time.
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Do you occasionally have huge blowups that come out of nowhere?
Not ever.
Very rarely.
No, people know they are coming.
Sometimes I do.
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Are you ever sarcastic?
I try not to be.
Not often.
No, I let people know what I think.
Yeah, I get that way a lot.
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If you don't want to do something, do you say you will do it and then not follow through?
No, that would be lame.
Only in my worst moments.
No, I just say I don't want to do it.
Yes, I have to admit I do.
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Do you ever talk quietly so people can't hear you on purpose?
No, that would be silly.
I don't think so.
No, I am totally loud.
Yeah, I do that when in the mood.
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Do people say you like to play the victim?
No, that never is said about me.
Well, everyone does sometimes.
Ha! No, I tend to play the aggressor.
It has been said about me before.
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Do you often complain about things?
No, there is no point.
Everyone does.
No, I try and change things that bother me.
Sure, it's fun!
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Do you ever enjoy it secretly when people seem worried about you?
No, why would I enjoy that?
Well, it is nice to be worried about.
No, that isn't my scene.
Yeah, that is kind of fun.
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Do you always tell the truth?
I try to.
Most of the time.
I am brutally honest.
No, are you kidding?
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Do you think you confuse people?
I hope not.
Well, I am a little bit different.
No, I am totally straightforward.
I hope so!
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What do you do when you are mad at someone?
I cry.
I try to talk to them about it.
I yell at them.
I smile at them.
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Are you afraid of being alone?
Not at all.
Maybe a little.
I never think about it.
Yes.
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Are you afraid of being dependent on other people?
Not at all.
Maybe a little.
I never think about it.
Yes.
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What do you do if your boss was hard on you?
I work harder.
I sulk.
I confront them.
I complain behind their backs about how I am being treated.
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Your significant other is always worried about being late, how do you handle it?
I make sure I am on time.
I complain to them about it.
I just do things like I would anyway.
I try to be late on purpose.
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Could you beat a lie detector test?
No way.
Maybe.
Why would I want to?
Yes.
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When you get mad at someone do you give them the silent treatment?
No, that is mean.
Sometimes I do.
Ha! No way.
Yes, it is very effective.
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Do you ever walk away in the middle of an argument?
No, but I want to sometimes.
If I feel like it I do.
No way, bring it on!
Yeah, that is a good one.
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Do people in your life have unrealistic expecations of you?
Not at all.
Some do.
I don't think so.
Yes, and it stinks.
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Do you sometimes feel superior to people, but you don't want to let them know?
I don't recall feeling like that.
Sometimes, I do.
No, I let people know.
I feel like that a lot.
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Do you like working as part of a team?
Love it!
Ehh, not so much.
I am okay with it.
I hate it.
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If you could get someone to do what you want by telling them what they want to hear, would you?
No, that is manipulative.
It depends on the situation.
No, I am all about honesty.
Of course, anyone would.
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Do you feel like you have to be on guard all the time, even with people close to you?
No, I am trusting.
I feel like that a lot.
No, I just am myself all the time.
I feel like that all the time.
FINISH QUIZ

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