Dear gia:

As I read your post I was impressed by how insightful you are and how astutely aware of bodily language and passive-aggressive communication. I trust you to see the situation with the receptionist as it truly is.

I don’t see any other way to deal with her behavior other than one: at a moment when she is looking at your face, make a very bold eye contact with her, and with a confident, loud and clearly angry tone, tell her:  f*&* you, (her name)!

Once you say it, stay there, where you are, stand there and keep looking at her. After a short while walk away.

Next time she displays any of her aggressive moves, like standing in your way, tell her in that same tone of voice, confident and angry, eye contact if she is looking at your face: move aside!

I know it’s crude to use the f word. I don’t like to use it myself, hate it really, but when necessary it is way preferable to a punch in the face, which is illegal.

anita