Acting upon agression in a non-confrontational manner.

Avoiding confrontation with very snide indirect comments.

Formerly associated with a particular psychological disorder stemming from years of percieved underappreciation and bitterness. A character flaw brought on by a person's inability to deal with their own bitterness, anger, or resentment in an assertive manner, thus, becoming a more passive form of hostility. See: petty, little bitch, worthless turd

Some of the most obnoxious and arrogant people in the world. An antisocial personality trait that narcissistic but jealous & insecure people use to gain advantage, because they cannot reveal their true personality. They are usually seen as nice people but are very evil and manipulative underneath their mask.

The ultimate goal of a passive-aggressive person is to try and build a reputation of nobility around people, while surrounding themselves with these same people who they eventually manipulate and control into doing things for them. see: sycophants, toady. The people they control unknowingly become their robots (tools of manipulation) without their consent or own realization. Passive-Aggressive people are very reliant on popularity and people; so that you are not subjected to attack them or destroy their ego.

Their lives are often very superfluous, parasitic & self-indulgent. They prize institutions in society that promote equal opportunities; while taking no risks. They can even be so clever as to hijack the whole entire institution completely; without other people even noticing. They see the world and people as a chessboard/strategy game. They often know how to stir up events and manipulate situations while remaining completely invisible and sitting pretty. See: shit stirrer

Passive-Aggressors are basically very extroverted but clever psychopaths. They tend to thrive on potential cut-throat scenarios and are (most definitely) ruthless opportunists.

passive aggressive
A defense mechanism that allows people who aren't comfortable being openly aggressive get what they want under the guise of still trying to please others. They want their way, but they also want everyone to still like them.

Confront?

Yes
No
Too scared (X)

So resort to veiled hostility?

Yes (X)
No

act of doing something specifically to piss someone off, but with the cover of "I didn't realize it would bother you".

When someone tries to annoy or hurt someone verbally by saying a put down in a coy or apparent unaware way.

a phrase that originally described indirect acts of aggression that either could not be traced to the actor or that could be ascribed to a benign, non-spiteful motivation. Once the phrase entered the popular lexicon, it has come to describe any action or inaction that the speaker dislikes but which the speaker cannot explain why the action is unjust or otherwise wrong.