Pushing Your Buttons

United States
October 17, 2015 10:39am CST
There are certain people in our lives that know how to 'push our buttons'. Some will do it just to pick on you, while others will do it to get a rise out of you. My little sister is well known for trying to push my buttons when she gets into one of her moods, which seems like 80% of the time. One thing I hate is being called by my first and middle name, mainly cause I hate my middle name. I know when she is trying to be vindictive, she will say my name and then giggle afterwards. I have learned to just ignore it for the most part, and then she will do it more, until I completely ignore her, and then she will act right. I have come to learn if you don't let them know it bothers you, they tend to get bored and go about their business. This can be said in most cases of bullying too. Is there someone in your life who seems to 'push your buttons'? Do you let them get the better of you?
20 people like this
23 responses
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
17 Oct 15
Fortunately i kinda got along with most people throughout my years and never knew about name calling..i always thought they were terms of endearments hahah
2 people like this
• United States
17 Oct 15
Oh I get along with most people also, but my sister tends to do it to get a rise outta me. It's what is called 'sisterly love'.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
17 Oct 15
@TexanTornado yes i have 4 sisters and one over protects me so much i can't breathe Sisterly love..you can have it..hahaah
2 people like this
• United States
17 Oct 15
@Rosekitty I don't think I ever had that a problem. We were all close and looked out for one another, but not to the point of smothering one another. I don't really mind it unless I am in a mood, and then she knows it.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
18 Oct 15
Preiti our pet does that to me. She does not like my being on the pc and to wean me away she will start licking herself which she knows I do not like
2 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado I love her for that as I feel that she misses me. She has several other endearing ways
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
@allknowing That is so very sweet, and I love the fact that she knows how to get your attention.
• United States
18 Oct 15
Oh that is too funny. I never heard that one before, it's quite unique. Gotta love it.
@jstory07 (133787)
• Roseburg, Oregon
17 Oct 15
Right now there is no one that pushes my buttons.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Oct 15
I have to say that is a good thing, but sounds like at one time there was someone who could push them.
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
18 Oct 15
I'm the type of person who take things easy and not let things that I don't like bother me much. The best thing to do is to just ignore and not react.
2 people like this
• United States
18 Oct 15
I am the same way for the most part. Unless I am already in a grumpy mood to start with, and then I just go off.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Oct 15
that is a kind of bullying too, sadly. Some people just feel a need to be like that.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
Yes, it some ways it is a form of bullying, you are right about that. However with my sister I mark it up as she is a 'baby' and seeking attention.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
@Jessicalynnt Exactly! Oh that is exactly what I do, and when I ignore her is when she will get the hint and then change tactics like nothing was amiss.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado yep and either making a big fight out of it, or completly ignoring it are about your only options. Heh, I'd refuse to acknolodge a word she said until she stopped being stupid.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
17 Oct 15
Nobody can make us feel bad if we don't accept to feel that way. Not reacting is the best reaction - if you see what I mean.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Oct 15
Yes, I have to agree with you. Not to react in the way they want us to is always better. However, sometimes we tend to let that logic go by the way side, depending on our mood also..
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
18 Oct 15
I try my best not to react if someone is trying to push my buttons because if I react S/he will do it more. I try to remain silent.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado Absolutely right.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
More often that not, that is the best way to handle the situation.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53699)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Oct 15
That is my way too - let them think you don't care, that you're not affected by their tactics - and they eventually stop. People can only push your buttons if they know there are buttons to push. Some people just like to get a rise out of you - as if it's their purpose in life - ugh!
1 person likes this
@much2say (53699)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Oct 15
@TexanTornado Although I have done it to certain friends at times! And yes I did it on purpose!!
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Oct 15
@much2say Oh there is cases where it is done in fun. I have done that a time or two too with a friend, who knew I was just needling them.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Oct 15
You are exactly right. It seems some people get off on pushing other people's buttons. It's something I just never understood..
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
17 Oct 15
I love calling my younger brother by his full name at times. And as far as teasing is concerned, I dont do it often with him. I do play the "disturbing" element at times especially on his birthday.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
17 Oct 15
@TexanTornado I will call him up midnight, knowing that he will be fast asleep and then ask him what is the date today In all chances, he will say the earlier date and then I will reveal that no, as you are a new born, you need to learn about dates... and then wish him Happy Birthday.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Oct 15
The disturbing element? You wouldn't mean walking up behind him and screaming 'boo'?
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Oct 15
@thesids OMG!! I love it. See that is true brotherly love. With my family it was always a race to see who could call first and then it was an all day thing.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Oct 15
I am not sure I let anyone push my buttons.. IO always move away when I do not like something or someone. I often stop responding to people who do things just to provoke. I have a way of shutting people off.. if they get under my skin.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Oct 15
Well, that is a good thing. Especially if the person is wishing only to rile you up. I too have a way of shutting people off.
@DWDavis (25820)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
18 Oct 15
You have the right idea. I try to counsel my students to ignore things people say and eventually the people will stop saying them. It's referred to as extinguishing the behavior. When you react, they win, every time.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
I totally agree. When you react it is like giving them the power over you. If you don't react they soon learn/figure out they have no power over you. Most of the time the not reacting will work.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
@DWDavis I can see that being an issue. So many times things can turn to a violent reaction. I know with my boys, I taught them that what someone says doesn't matter unless the person who says it matters to them. Which means, if someone is speaking rudely to them or of them they shouldn't care, for that person doesn't really matter.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25820)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado An ongoing problem I run into is parents, especially from the lower end of the socio-economic ladder, teaching their children to react, sometimes with violence, to anything anyone says about them.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
17 Oct 15
that would be my sister
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Oct 15
It does seem like siblings are the main ones.
• United States
18 Oct 15
@softbabe44 I think it's because they know us so well.
• Vancouver, Washington
18 Oct 15
@TexanTornado i thought so to
1 person likes this
• Lucknow, India
17 Nov 15
Yeah!! My girlfriend knows how to push my buttons!! Oh, I don't remember winning any arguments with her, especially when she is teasing me !! By the way, what is your middle name ?? LOL
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Nov 15
Oh yes, that is what you call true love. It sounds like ya'll have a very good relationship, which stands a good chance of a lasting one. Oh no way!! I won't be telling that.
• United States
18 Nov 15
@Rationalwriter Oh very nice. Well, I wish ya'll a lifetime of happiness and love. Because, I have a feeling you will try to push my buttons if I do. And I will just stop that from happening before it does.
• Lucknow, India
18 Nov 15
@TexanTornado I do hope so !! We are 4 years and counting!! Oh but why won't you tell that?? LOL
1 person likes this
@firef1y (78)
17 Oct 15
That's something I always seem to be telling my children and have been for about 20years. If you don't rise to them they'll soon get bored.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
17 Oct 15
It's not just kids though - as we well know from the childish behaviour of people on some of the British review sites. Ignore them and whilst they might not go away, they get really teed off if we don't react.
2 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
17 Oct 15
@firef1y Me too - and it's because we don't rise to the bait.
1 person likes this
17 Oct 15
@boiboing Oh I know, if you blank them, ignore the sarcastic comments and carry on rating as you see fit they really don't like it. Funnily enough many of the drama queens (and kings) have come and gone and I'm still there, chugging away
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
18 Oct 15
Oh yes, I can think of two without leaving the house. I can keep my cool for a while but sometimes they just keep it up until they get me going.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
Ok, since you don't have to leave the house, I would say it is two family members.
• Chennai, India
18 Oct 15
I did have instances when people tried to do that to me. The more you react to it, the more will be dished out, its better to stay calm.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
Yes, that is quite true. The more one reacts, they more they will continue to do it cause they know it bothers you. If you don't give them the satisfaction they soon grow tired of it.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Oct 15
'n my good days i can't be bothered with such nonsense. 'n my aint so good days 'tis 'nother story. the hubs is most 'xcellent 't this 'game' 'n tends to take 'dvantage.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Oct 15
Yes, same here. It does seem those that can get to us most is the ones closest to us. For the most part I can just let it go on by, but when in a mood myself, it's like releasing TNT.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
There was someone I used to work with that would push my buttons all the time. Now I wonder why I let her
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
No doubt when she figured out that she could, she did it more often. Oh I am sure a lot of us have let it happen. I just learned quickly, how to stop it.
@NeldaHoxie (1381)
• United States
19 Oct 15
Oh yes, many people. I avoid them if I can. If I can't I just keep my mouth shut, because it will never get better, they will never change, it will always be something. I would rather spend my time on things that can be fixed or that I enjoy.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Oct 15
It's a shame that people are like that. Yes, I am with you there, it's better just to avoid or ignore. Some people just aren't worth the effort.
1 person likes this
@Tita417 (1228)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Oct 15
I get bullied by classmates but I just brush it off. I was not the type to make a fuss over this. At home there were not much name calling cause dad will not allow it and. If I get to be bullied then I just get away from them. No big deal
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Oct 15
Oh wow, that is a shame. No one should be bullied. No, I used name calling in my initial post for that is how my sister tries to bug me. It is my name after all.
1 person likes this