Bullying

I'm kind of running out of ideas because my clinics where some time ago now. But thinking back to occurances which have had the most effect on me since beginning clinics one thing comes to mind which is a bit different so I thought I'd discuss it.
I'm the sort of person who likes everyone to get along, don't like confrontation and don't respond well to people who I think are being rude or judging prematurely and unfairly. It really bugs me when people don't like me, I think the main reason is because I like most people and TRY and treat everyone with respect. I guess in my life I have had it quite easy when it comes to making friends quickly and have been treated fairly well by other people throughout my school years and early uni years and didnt really end up on the receiving end of many negative comments or bullying. This probably makes me more sensitive when things like I will explain occur.
However since returning from a semester off I started to experience things I never really had experienced before, such as not been listened to when I speak and my opinion just been pushed off to the side, as well as rude comments, unfortunately this was coming from my new fellow students. I was quite dissappointed about this, I guess anyone would be but for me it is something I really wasn't used to. This did improve a lot as 3rd yr progessed and I got to know people better and they got to know me. However I recently was on a clinic together with a fair amount of students, and I experienced some treatment from some of the students which I felt and feel was quite undeserved (but maybe not :P). Anyways I was made to be the centre of a some peoples really rude jokes on a few occasions in front of the whole group of students and supervisors, and on top of this I was made aware by others that I was also been discussed quite harshly by some people when I wasn't present on a daily basis.

I felt quite sad and upset about this, as I felt people where making assumptions, listening to others negative comments and really not taking the time to get to know me or understand why I made a few decisions I had. Also I felt quite angry at the people who had been doing this and really wanted to have it out with them in unprofessional ways :P.
When this began I dealt with it quite poorly and would ignore it and then later let off my steam in private with friends and basically did the same as what the others where doing towards me, back to them and have still actually done it a few times since. However on one occasion after a lot of thought the night before I asked to discuss a situation which had occured the day before in which myself and another student, had a disagreement. I think we both had good points, and neither of us approached the situation well. I think the major reason was that we both underestimated how important something was to each other and didnt communicate our points honestly or fully. And just ended up getting annoyed at each other. The person then discussed this and tried to stir up trouble against me with the others whilst I wasnt present. On discussion the next day we still didnt come to a good understanding but I think the person appreciated that I asked to discuss it again and I believe this person gave me a break when others where been rude while I wasnt present on following occasions.
So all in all I think it was a good result.
I learnt a lot from this new to me sort or situation.
Firstly I guess it reinforces what I have slowly been learning, that is I can't expect everyone to like me :P.
With us all be fairly intelligent and compassionate physios I wasn't really expecting the behaviour which I have witnessed and experienced(maybe from notre dame students not curtin :P). However I guess even good people do stupid things, so I think now I am more prepared for negative behavior from fellow phyios in the work force and will deal with it better and also to have a thicker skin and not let these things take my attention away from what is important (patients).
I dont believe the best way to deal with work place bullies is to ignore them, it wont put an end to the bullying and the person on the receiving end will just dwell on it. I believe that the best way to deal with any sort of problem in a work place is to confront it and discuss it honestly, maturely and professionally.
I believe if we all tried to do this we would have much less stressful and more pleasant work and 4th year experiences.
Thanks guys have a good week