They are just about everywhere - at the workplace, in the super market and even at home. Those people who just seem to get on our nerves. Those people who are so difficult to get along with. It could be a mean boss or a nagging spouse or an unreasonable neighbor. The question is what can we do about the difficult people in our lives? They are very much there so we cannot simply ignore them. There has to be some way to deal with them.

Here are a few pointers:

• Be patient. This is the tried and tested solution for dealing with difficult people. Let them say or do what they want to and you can deal with it at your own pace.

• Find ways to deal with the frustration that you may be feeling. A snide remark or a hurting word may trigger anger and you may be tempted to send the other person a defensive e-mail. Go ahead and write it if you wish but don’t send it. Writing down what you want to say is a great way to release feelings and thoughts and you will find yourself calming down before you hit that send button.

• Don’t respond immediately to their comments or actions. Difficult people get pleasure out of angry and irritated responses from your side so don’t let them win. Just wait till you cool down and then address the situation properly. If the matter is trivial, don’t respond at all. The other person will get the message that you are not willing to waste your time and energy dealing with negative thoughts, words and deeds.

• Don’t brood on the words and deeds of negative people. It will only make you more frustrated and angry. By constantly talking and thinking about them, you will be wasting your energy and fuelling your anger and resentment.

• Forgive them their sins. Think about how you can forgive the other person. They may have a reason for being the way they are. Imagine yourself in their position for a while and you might be able to understand why they are so negative.

• As much as possible, avoid mingling with negative people. Their negativity is bound to rub off on you too, so beware. Misery loves company and unhappy, frustrated people will want you there with them so if possible stay away from them. Socialize instead with people who are happy, optimistic and calm.

• Think before you act. Before you respond to a negative person think about what you will be gaining by your response. What is your aim? To teach the other person a lesson or to justify your stand? Think about what benefit if any your actions or words will have in your life and in the lives of those who are important for you.

• Don’t be prejudiced. Just because someone showed a negative attitude towards you once does not mean that he or she is a negative character altogether. There may have been some reason for his behavior. It is not necessary that the negativity will continue into your next meeting.

• Butter up the negative person. Give them a compliment or be extra friendly with them so that they will not simply be negative towards you.