It’s so true that people who are close to you or with whom you work closely are sometimes the ones who bully you. That’s tough because when you identify that person as a friend it’s more difficult to admit that what their language or behaviour is inappropriate. You keep balancing it out with all the good things they do.
I wouldn’t be getting into a role where you were pointing out to that person that they are actually bullying. Alarm bells for me. That’s my experience anyway. When I’ve been bullied the hardest part was to distance yourself from that person instead of trying to be nice. Of course the bullying situations vary and some are more easily dealt with. Just my thoughts, Maha. Look after yourself – sounds like you are.