If you overhear someone you know being disrespected do you step in?

Question

I have a now X friend who’s husband and others use to talk crazy to her because she was non confrontational and passive. I remember going to a dinner with her and her husband and other couples, and her husband would over talk her and say things like “no. That’s stupid” when the topic wasn’t even serious enough to demean her. I remember seething having to sit there and not say anything because I knew I’d hurt both of their feelings. My question is, should I have spoken up right then and there in front of everyone? 
Do you generally stick up for people like her right away or leave it alone and contemplate how to approach it If it happens again?

Answer

I would probably just make passive aggressive remarks instead of a direct confrontation. Like, saying to my friend, "I think that's a great point and its too bad not everyone is intelligent enough to appreciate your intelligence" then slip the husband a bitchy side eye haha

Answer

I tend to stay out of other people’s relationship drama. After a dinner like that, I’d never hang out with them as a couple again though. I’d also probably do a check in after the fact to make sure she was ok, that’s a red flag for abuse.

Answer

If it is constant and they are not saying anything I will call that shit out.
I don't even have to know you too tough, I do it in person and I do it online. Don't make people look like shit to make yourself look better, don't talk down to someone, don't be a dick.
Having said that, If I haven't heard the entire exchange, I will probably give a side eye. You never know that person could have deserved it.

Answer

When it’s a relationship, it’s a little trickier. I would probably say something if it was a constant issue. I’d also be sure to let the one being verbally attacked know that it isn’t okay, and make sure they are okay, and maybe find out if there is more to the story. 
In general, yes, I’m going to say something. There have been a few times in my life, I have stood up for someone I didn’t even know (when in hindsight could have put me in danger) bc I just couldn’t stomach standing by and watching it happen. 
And, if I’m being REALLY honest, there have been a few times in my life I wish I had someone there to stick up for me; some in a few really bad, public situations, where I noticed people watching, but no one wants to get involved.   
Do the right thing! Protect yourself, but try to do the right thing!

Answer

I normally stick up for people like that in social settings but that’s her husband and that’s a different dynamic. He is a dick and that’s for sure but she will have to correct him when she is able because that’s her relationship you can’t be in it every single time.

Answer

If I'm offended by someone's words or behavior - even if it's not directed at me -I say something. Usually it's pretty lame though, like "I find that behavior offensive" or "Please don't do that in front if me." 
Also, if someone is in an abusive relationship it can make life really rough for them later if you make it about defending them instead of taking personal offense.  I remember getting in trouble when we'd get home and accused of being a "manipulator" and supposedly knowing exactly what I was doing "playing victim" to make him "look bad."

Answer

I’d speak out, and be prepared of the consequences. 
I could have used a friend speaking out... because i was being gaslit so much I couldn’t tell anymore.

Answer

I stay out of other peoples relationship drama, HOWEVER, I stand up for people. 
You think youre gunna bully my friend infront of me? I got ur bully.

Answer

It depends on the people around and what was said. Some situations I feel like I need to just mind my business. Other times I’ll pull the person aside and make sure they’re okay. But if I’m feeling bold and I’m around people who can take criticism or at least people I feel I can talk to that way and call them out, then I will say something. 
As an example, I noticed the same type of behavior from my sisters ex girlfriend. She would talk over her and tell her she was telling stories “wrong”, and sometimes it was a very subtly aggressive comment but I would pick up on it. With that situation, I didn’t say anything in the moment. But later I asked my sister if everything was okay, and mentioned that I noticed her girlfriend spoke poorly to her. 
Another example, I was at my best friends home for a week because she had surgery. I was keeping her company and helping her around the house. Her crappy boyfriend at the time (who thankfully she is no longer with) came barging through the door just hours after her surgery and essentially demanded her to make him dinner. He kept complaining to everyone in the house that he was soooo hungry and thought dinner would be ready. I basically lost my shit on him and said something like “she just had surgery! She isn’t going to cook you dinner. You’re a big boy. You can do it yourself. You’re the one that should be making her dinner.” (Of course he got mad and left the house).

Answer

I do. At my old job, we had the chairman of one of the HOAs we managed come into the office. I had a coworker who had a bit of a stomach but nothing terrible. Anyway, this guy is sitting opposite her desk and he asks her if she's pregnant and she says no. He asks her why is her stomach so big then, I was horrified! I told him straight you can't ask things like that and I think I embarrassed him by calling him out (I was also like 21 at the time, he was at least in his 40s).

If you overhear someone you know being disrespected do you step in?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey