Are you Petty?

Are You Petty?

The word petty has recently become popular, due to the abundance of reality shows depicting women acting out like in the "Housewives franchises." It can be also found on social media like Instagram twitter, and blogs. It simply means to take trivial matters and make them important with childish behaviors. A petty person isn't necessarily immature, but their behavior says a lot about them when being petty. Don’t confuse pettiness with standing up for yourself. We have a choice how to react. Use wisdom and don’t act on emotion.

Let’s talk about who the petty one is in the relationship. Often in romantic relationships, people reveal their petty side. Why? Simple…they lack the relationship basics: love, trust, respect, honesty, and communication. Without one, some, or all of these basics, relationships usually don’t last long. If they do, they are abusive or riddled with problems.  Who wants to constantly nit-pick in a relationship? I personally don’t have the time or energy. Let’s see who’s guilty of being petty 😊.

Here are a few examples of petty behaviors that occur in relationships, check off the ones (if any) that apply:

o   Thought of another point after an argument has finished to start it again

o   Turn your read notifications on so the person knows you are ignoring them

o   You make unnecessary snarky remarks

o   Lied about knowing someone when questioned even though you knew them

o   Don’t speak to your co-worker because they parked in your parking space

o   Replied “who is this?” to a text and you knew who the person was

o   Used “K” when you are mad

o   Respond with a one-word answer to a long heartfelt apology

o   Respond to a text in the same amount of time the other person did

o   Start a conversation with, “I think it is funny how…”

o   Repeated what the person said when you don’t have a comeback

o   Complains about break-room beverages but don’t contribute to buying the one you like to share

o   Unfollow/unfriend people on any social media platform because they pissed you off

o   Your block list is as long as your contact list

o   Screenshot conversations for ammunition

o   Said hurtful comments from the past in arguments when you were losing

o   Stopped your partner from doing something or going somewhere because you weren’t going

o   Held a grudge even though you know you needed to let it go and move on

o   Know you are petty and don’t care!

Almost everyone could find themselves guilty of at least one or two of these. As emotional human beings, people will get on our nerves sometimes. Don’t make it a habit! Show maturity! Recognize what they did, ask them about it. If there is no resolution, keep it moving! No need to hang around and keep regurgitating the same issue. Life is too short to be petty or persistent in anyone’s life. Next!

If you can't seem to figure out if you’re a "petty betty", ask yourself these three questions:

Is it worth it?

Am I going to have to apologize?

Will I lose sleep over this?

If you answered yes to any of these, you've passed and seems to be a rational person, who considers consequences before you act. You don't wear petty, but you can be if the need arises. Like me 😊.

I hope you enjoyed this lighter post! Share situations when you had to be a “Petty Crocker” below!

We will return to the journey “From Meet-cute to I do” next week!! 💟