"I have always despised the whining yelp of complaint and cowardly resolve." -Robert Burns, Scottish Poet known as the Bard of Ayrshire, Robert Burns books//

Passive-aggressive behaviors destroy relationships. Whining, complaining, blaming and deflecting responsibility for every problem that arises exasperates others. Relationships require people to take ownership over their own actions and life, so that all members can deal with each other on equal ground.

Many people form passive-aggressive habits without even knowing it because their friends or loved ones are afraid to confront them or tell them the truth. No one likes to hurt a friend's feelings, but are you really doing them a favor by ignoring these types of behaviors? No. If you care about someone, you tell them the truth; otherwise, if your cannot or do not, you will eventually abandon the relationship altogether.

The responsibility, though, ultimately lies with the individual offender. The majority of the times - when it's not a clinical condition - passive-aggressive behaviors are a choice. It's easy to blame others for your own misfortune, and it's hard to take accountability for your own actions and condition in life. The 'whoa-is-me' attitude or the 'it's not my fault' mentality is an easy way for cowards to justify their actions, or lack thereof.

Anger, insecurity, lack of self-confidence and fear of failure are often linked to passive-aggressive behaviors, so it is important to recognize and address these feelings before they get deeply rooted. If you want to build and maintain successful relationships with others, they will expect you to take responsibility for yourself. Friends want to help you get through tough times and listen to your opinions, but whining never inspires anyone to want to come to your aid.

Passive-aggressive behaviors ultimately destroy relationships. If you have a tendency to whine, complain and blame, the only thing you can be certain of is that people will eventually stop listening to you. Successful relationships are built on equality and trust, and the only way you instill these things in others is by taking responsibility for yourself.