Being nice at work - handling those who aren't

I'm pretty sure we've all encountered people who aren't very nice at work. Most people are perfectly amicable, preferring to get along with their coworkers so the work environment can be enjoyable. After all, who wants to work at a place where it's miserable?  But I think there is always someone who doesn't seem to get that concept, someone who is unhappy, perhaps by nature, and just prefers to share the experience with everyone else.  I'm not sure I understand why someone would choose to be miserable and surly, but there are those who do.

A lot of people handle the negativity by ignoring it. They hope it goes away on its own, or that the source will eventually get bored and go away. Unfortunately, misery has a way of spreading. Good moods are mildly contagious. Foul moods are like influenza, almost impossible to avoid catching when you get close enough to the infected. Rather than ignore, I prefer to find creative ways to end the antagonism and agony. I'm not of the opinion that letting it fester, hoping that it just goes away is productive, and it also teaches the wrong lesson.

Work is a community of people who have to operate as a team toward a common goal. Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the team in a way that makes the team stronger. Bad moods do not factor into this. Everyone gets into a funk once in awhile. It's just the way it goes. What everyone doesn't do is bring it to the workplace and spread it around. When I feel less than glowing at work, I tend to shut up. I don't want everyone else to catch my mood and I sure don't want to affect the ability of the team to get their work done.  That is part of my responsibility as a citizen of the work community, and it bugs me when people think their bad moods are everyone else's problem.

Creative solutions, like being sure to chatter incessantly to someone who is stalking about in a rotten mood trying to make everyone feel uncomfortable. I make sure those people know that I'm not intimidated by their lack of social skills at work, and that they aren't going to change my behavior.  I've also told people if they choose to be jerks at work, they can go do it in their own space because I don't need it in mine. I especially love it when someone comes to me nastily demanding my help. Um, excuse me? You need my help and you think mistreating me is the way to get it?  No. If you are in a bad mood, don't come to me for anything unless you can control yourself. I don't reward bad behavior and I think if you need something from someone, the least you can do is be nice about it.

I also hang up on anyone who calls me and yells at me or give me an attitude. I just say "When you can approach this nicely, I'll be willing to talk." I see no reason to ignore people who do these things. I see no reason to let anyone think this is appropriate behavior.