How to Deal With an Immature Adult

How to Deal With an Immature Adult
Published: Jul 25, 2011
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read
Polka Dot RF/Polka Dot/Getty Images

In an ideal world, everyone would behave calmly, reasonably and rationally at all times. People would wait their turns, respect those around them, and otherwise follow the basic code of behavior that most children begin learning in kindergarten. Unfortunately, in the real world, some people never seem to learn the basic rules of adult, human interaction. Often these people will be your bosses, coworkers, or even your family, so it is important to learn how to deal with them.

Stay calm. This step may seem obvious, but it is extremely important and far more easily said than done. Immature adults crave conflict and the attention that will bring them. As tempting as it may be, if you let yourself stoop down to their level, they've won. Although staying calm will probably only encourage them to antagonize you more in the beginning, eventually they will move on to an easier target.

Refuse to play by their scripts. Immature adults are used to making life so difficult for everyone around them that eventually people give in and give them what they want. Remind yourself that you have the power to reject the entire game that they are playing. Excuse yourself, walk away, refuse to engage in their arguments or accept their attitudes. Even if you can't always directly resist them, you can refuse to play along. (See Reference 2)

Practice empathy. Immature adults rarely have meaningful relationships in their lives, because they are too busy focusing on their own needs and creating conflict all around them. Often, their actions come from places of insecurity and pain. That may not excuse what they do and it does not mean that you should try to befriend them, but it will be easier for you to manage being around them if you try to see the good, or at least the sympathetic, in them.

Refuse to invest yourself in the relationship. Even if the immature adult is someone that you must spend time with, you do not need to spend more time, energy or effort on him than is absolutely necessary. Even if you have practiced Step 3 and are feeling more sympathetic to him, he will still be a drain on your life and your happiness if the two of you develop a strong relationship. Such people can change, but it takes a long time and they often never do.

Tips

Try to find as much meaning as possible in other relationships, so that your time spent with immature adults doesn't weigh you down as much.

When you have to spend time with an immature adult, try to treat yourself to a relaxing evening if you stayed patient with them. You deserve the reward!

Warnings

Don't assume that you can change the person. It is extremely unlikely that you will succeed, and you will only be making life more difficult for yourself.

Photo Credits

Polka Dot RF/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Sponsored
Our Everyday Life Logo

Explore our everyday life, the best source for food and drink tips, health and general wellness, healthy relationships and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.