What is a common behavior of someone with passive-aggressive communication style?

The hallmark of passive-aggressive communication is often the use of sarcasm. This behavior allows an individual to express their feelings indirectly, masking their true emotions or frustrations while appearing to comply or be agreeable on the surface. By employing sarcasm, they can communicate resentment or disagreement without confronting the issue directly, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships. This form of communication often reflects an underlying discomfort with direct confrontation, leading individuals to settle for indirect expressions of their feelings instead.

In contrast, expressing needs openly and directly addressing issues represent assertive communication styles, which are characterized by clarity and honesty. Conforming to others' requests can also be seen as a passive or submissive behavior, but it does not specifically capture the essence of passive-aggressive communication like sarcasm does.