Example:
Sue: "So I told my husband I wasn't ok with him staying at his
ex-girlfriend's house when he visited her town," and he was like, 'fine, I'll never hang out alone with any female friend - ever -
if that's what it takes for you to trust me'!"
Sam: "That's some grade-A
malicious over-compliance. My Mom's the queen of it. I told her I didn't have time to talk for 3 hours on the phone every day and she goes 'oh I'm so sorry, I'll stop bothering you with my sad, boring life - I'll never demand speak to you again... but perhaps you would allow me a 2-minute call on my birthdays and maybe Christmas?' Like, geez, lady!"
Kid: "Bye Dad, I'm gonna hang out with some older guys in a parking lot."
Sam: "No you're not - it's 10:30pm on a school night ."
Kid: "Fine, I guess I'll just stay home all day every day and never do anything but study and pray!"
Sam: "That's nice, kid - now do your homework." *turns to Sue* "Yeah, my daughter apparently inherited the malicious over compliance talent from gran-gran. I was sort hoping she'd get Mom's singing talent, but nooo... just the theater drama."