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Mean remarks from a female colleague? Why is she doing this?

I've been contracting in this job for 9 months now. The job is much more junior to what I've been used to (I was in Management) but I looked for this level on purpose to avoid long hours and much stress I used to experience. Also I like to work hard for months then take breaks & travel. I am single & this is the life I live. A couple of months ago, a married female colleague said to me 'you know temps will find it difficult to get work now with the recession'. I mentioned one day that I'd love a shopping assistant (joking), she said 'ah, I have one, are you jealous?'. She also told me that I seem to know a lot about a lot of things, that I should take up knitting instead of reading economic articles. She said she used to knit when she was single & bored. I replied 'oh, I'm not a bit bored'. She is always throwing sickies. I've only had 2 days ill in 9 mths. The fact is, I'm much more qulified than she is. I travel more, speak more languages and generally am more balanced. She is married, 3 kids. Why is she full of jabs? Is it bullying?

Public Comments

1. No it isn't bullying, just sheer unadulterated female bitchiness.
2. Easy. She's jealous and worried you may eventually take over her spot. Just let whatever she says wash over you like water off a duck's back. She is just trying to keep you off your toes.
3. She is vicious & jealous. Just remember how much more talented you are & how actually you are much higher than her even though you're in the same job. She also sounds immature, she likes to try & get at you but you just brush it aside, you're much the bigger person. She'll soon get bored.
4. She's jealous of your life style and wishes she could make those choices. She is trying to drag you down to her level and next time she says anything say "I'm happy with my life stop trying to drag me down to your level you stupid B*tch".
5. She is simply jelous! She probably loves her married life, but just the fact that you, under her nose have so much freedom and she doesn't, could stirr any a married, couped up mother of three. she wants you to be jelous of her (she asked if you are, just to make sure) because she is jelous of you and your life. Perhaps you are preattier too. Watch out for this lady, she sounds like a woman that will give you grief for sheer joy of making your life less pleasant. Don't let het near you and if she keeps up those remarks, make sure you have a few up your sleeve for her too. Women like that will back off only if they hear something pleasant back in return, like "you seem so stressed out, perhaps a yoga class for stressed out homemakers will do you good..."
6. Sounds like insecurity to me, you say you have languages and are better qualified, with more interests. I think she is trying to reassure herself of he self-worth by pointing out her "advantages". Yup. sounds like insecurity, or jealousy as we used to call it in the days of black and white. Take it as a compliment, buy her a glass of wine and when she sees you as a friend and not a threat you'll be great buddies.
7. This is not a bullying attempt, I'm sure that she is this way to most every woman. It's a negative character trait. Fighting it only creates a war. (I had a fellow worker that did this) The best defense is to give them a compliment each time they take these little stabs at you. They will get the message without getting angry at your rebuttal!
8. jealousy? Usually that's why women are so catty...
9. Relax she's just a bitter old hag who's "stuck" in the life she's created for herself. Try coming and going whenever you please with three kids...heh-heh. Want to really "fix" her "wagon"? Stay at that co. and become her supervisor. Clearly you're much less of a liability to them than she ever could be. Shouldn't take you more than another 6 mos. what with them now looking to get rid of over paid management in place of much cheaper "starting salaried" ones....and with your 9 mos. of experience quite literally with this company - - - well it shouldn't be to difficult for you at all. No worries - you won't be giving up the rest of your freedoms that you enjoy..you can easily quit again after 6 mos.....and it sure would knock her for a loop when you could come around and tell her things like "maybe you could BE HERE MORE OFTEN and ...uh...instead of calling your kids on the phone during break you would maybe read an article about economics or finance or something that would be GREAT..." Well, that would send her for a loop now eh? lol! Even if you just mention to her that you've put in for a supervisors position some where in that company I'd bet dollars to donuts that would shut her up right quick! Might even get your bum kissed a bit. lol! ; )
10. Just don't talk to her too much! She's trying to get a few jabs in at you because, for whatever reason, she's not happy with ther own life. She is just up to mischief. I know why the issue bothers you, i also like to focus on my career instead of finding boyfriends, and i also find it sad when people dont take me seriously at the workplace or think I should be out there hunting men or something like that ;) My advice is ignore, ignore, ignore it all. Go out, shopping and having fun in coffee shops etc, enjoy and motivate your nicer friends or colleauges. I've had women at the workplace openly declare warfare...If I could roll my eyes on here when I think of them I would ;) Never forget how empty and sad their lives are...they have kids and friends and good jobs and still they can't take it in their stride and be at peace with the world. I would rather eat my shoes before I go around insulting people who do me no wrong. good luck.
11. It sounds like she's jealous. Married women seem to think that every woman should have a man (if you haven't got one you should be actively looking for one) and that you can't survive unless you have one. So she thinks if you haven't got a man you must be 'bored and should take up knitting'. The fact of the matter is that secretly she is probably wishing she was you. If i had a choice between being free and doing what i want or looking after a lazy husband and three brats i know which i'd choose.