Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  October 10, 2024

Social Media: How to Respond to Passive-Aggressive Comments

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but people have started using a new tactic when commenting on social media posts. They begin by saying, “Sure, I agree with this,” followed by an example that is the complete opposite of the original post. Yeah, I don’t like this either.

This maneuver is popular in political dialogue and is spreading to more general topics. At first, I ignored these missives on my feed, but their frequency now merits a strategic response.

In case you haven’t yet experienced this, here’s an exaggerated political example:

You: I support this policy because I place a high value on clean air.

Them: Yep, I like clean air, too, by making sure air polluters can do whatever they want. Yay, we agree!

2 Ways to Respond to Passive-Aggressive Social Media Comments

Comments like those are passive-aggressive invitations to get into nonproductive whistling contests. Don’t take the bait. Use these two responses instead:

• Get literal. Pretend they made a point and repeat it back to them with neutral language. For example, you could reply to the above person by saying this: “To clarify, you believe these industries will solve the air pollution problems on their own. Correct?” (Don’t offer any rebuttal information; it prolongs the discussion.) This tactic works when their point is absurd. Folks who lurk will see this silliness for what it is.

• Call the game. Being direct is the best way to address passive aggression. Example: “That’s not what I meant. It sounds like you disagree with this policy, and that’s fine. Moving forward, please don’t twist my words to make your point. Many thanks.” It’s a respectful approach, but it shuts it down. It also discourages others.

In social media, our interactions contribute to our brand just as much as our insights. The two approaches above acknowledge the cheap shot without getting into the fray. The best of both worlds.

Listen: The Difference Between Disagreeing and an Attack 

Now Read This:

• Social Media: How to Keep People from Fighting on Your Posts
• Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road

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