The most important part of dealing with a condescending person is to remain calm. Resolving the situation is dependent on your response to their transgressions. Watch your body language and be aware of your tone.
Being honest is a good idea when confronting a condescending person. If someone steps on your toes, tell them. Be specific about how they made you feel and clear that it is unacceptable.
It’s easy to get defensive when you are dealing with difficult people. Condescending people are looking to confirm their beliefs about you and being defensive can play into their wishes.
If someone is constantly talking down to you and making you feel worthless, why on earth would you want them around? You are not obligated to be around anyone who doesn’t respect you.
People who are condescending use "emotional blackmail" to make others bow to their wishes. They may be scared of losing you so make you feel small, so you think they are your only option.
What better way to illustrate how someone is making you feel than to mirror their actions back to them?
If people are regularly condescending towards you, there may be a reason. Do a self-assessment to make sure you don’t have the word “victim” tattooed across your forehead.
If you are having trouble establishing those all-important boundaries with the bad actors in your life, you should seek professional help. A licensed therapist can help to uncover the issues causing you to allow people to devalue you and help you put a stop to it.
Some people simply aren’t worth the time and emotional effort necessary to work through your issues with them. If the person talking down to you is a non-factor in your life, it might be best to walk away and cease all contact.
If someone is always downplaying your ideas and contributions, and believes they know more than you, make them prove it. They say they are a subject matter expert, so naturally, they are the best person to do the job.