Passive-Aggressive
2018.03.14
Meaning:
In Japanese-English ‘aggressive’ has a positive meaning. But in natural English, ‘aggressive’ is negative; an aggressive person is an angry person who fights. ‘Passive’ is also negative; a ‘passive’ person is a person who *never* fights. So passive-aggressive people fight… but pretend to be gentle. Passive-aggressive behaviour includes being silent (with angry body language) or agreeing with people (while using body language to show you disagree).
Example:
A: Could you finish that report by tomorrow?
B: (fake smile) Fine.
A: And check the spelling. Your last report had mistakes.
B: Sure. Whatever you want. You’re the boss and you know best.
A: Don’t be passive-aggressive, Simon. Just do it!
Talking Point(s):
Would you prefer to live with a passive-aggressive person or an aggressive person?
大人からの英会話getgo 西船橋・荻窪・津田沼・本八幡