Mean girls never really grow up; they just get older and switch to more expensive handbags. Unfortunately, the drama stays pretty much the same as in high school. No one really expects to deal with middle-aged mean girls, but apparently, cliques and icy looks don’t stop once we hit 50.

So, grab your cup of tea, or wine (no judgment here), because this netizen’s story will take you straight back to the hallways of your school days, except this time, there’s no detention, just frosty social dynamics.

More info: Mumsnet

Adult mean girls are like expensive handbags, shiny on the outside, but empty on the inside

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

A 50-year-old woman finds herself reliving high school drama as one middle-aged bully keeps picking on her

Image credits: Kindel Media / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Both women are part of a group of friends, but the other ladies don’t say anything when the mean girl throws sarcastic remarks at one of them

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The woman’s husband tells her she should leave the group and find better friends

Image credits: 50andBeingBulliedWTAF

The woman doesn’t want to give her middle-aged bully the satisfaction of pushing her out of the group and asks for advice online on what to do

Our protagonist is 50 years old and somehow reliving the social anxiety of her teenage years, thanks to a group of adult mean girls. Sounds ridiculous, right? I mean, at this age, you’d think the drama would be more about joint pain and retirement plans, not gossip and cold shoulders. But hey, here we are.

Imagine being part of a group of friends, and they’re pals, all seemingly getting along, except for one woman who’s clearly got a problem with you. That’s our poster, Marie (not her real name by the way). Every time she shows up, it feels like someone just cranked up the AC. Hello, icy greetings.

And to make matters worse, this lady always adds a dash of sarcastic commentary and some eye rolls to go with it whenever Marie speaks. Classic mean-girl move, right?

What’s even more frustrating is the fact that no one else in the group says anything. They’re better friends with the middle-aged mean girl, so they just sit there quietly, probably hoping not to become the next target. I don’t know about you, but for me, this story brings back a few high school nightmares.

You’d think we’d all outgrow this nonsense after high school, but nope. Turns out cliques and social power plays aren’t just for teenagers. Adult bullying is like high school all over again, except now the insults come with a side of wine and passive-aggressive comments. Personally, I’d take the wine and ditch the snark—thanks!

This happens more often than you think, and it’s all about control and insecurity. Just like Marie’s frenemy, adult bullies thrive on social power plays, using silence or snarky remarks to keep themselves on top. The key to shutting it down? Boundaries. Whether you confront the drama or walk away for good, it’s about choosing your peace over their pettiness.

Make it clear that the bully’s behavior won’t be tolerated. If sarcasm or frosty remarks come your way, calmly call it out. Something like, “I noticed you often have something sarcastic to say. Is there something on your mind?” can shift the dynamic, catching them off guard and forcing them to either explain or back down.

If that doesn’t work, know when to walk away. It’s perfectly ok to step back from the group if the bully doesn’t change.

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Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Marie’s tormentor isn’t just being a jerk for no reason. She probably enjoys feeling like she’s got some control over the social scene, which is why she acts out whenever Marie shows up. And, since her friends back her up with silence, she feels validated.

So why don’t the others speak up? It’s easy to wonder why people stay silent, especially when they notice the drama but choose not to intervene. Turns out this happens a lot in social groups, where no one wants to risk rocking the boat or becoming the new target.

According to the pros, people tend to avoid conflict, especially in established groups, because they fear alienation or ending the relationship. It’s easier to stay quiet and stay safe.

So, Marie has a few options here—either she confronts the situation without drama, stays and plays it cool (not giving the bully the satisfaction of pushing her out), or she ditches her friend group and finds better people who have her back. I don’t know what you would do, but if it were me, I would go for option 3. Why stay somewhere you feel unwanted? Leaving doesn’t mean “losing”; it means choosing to surround yourself with better people.

What would you do if you were in Marie’s shoes? Let us know in the comments below.

Netizens advise the woman to leave the group and find some people who actually have her back

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