It's a classic tactic often seen in manipulative or toxic behavior. Some people intentionally push your buttons, hoping to provoke a reaction, because then they can turn the tables and make you seem like the problem. It's a way for them to avoid accountability for their own disrespect or bad behavior. By getting you to react emotionally, they can shift the focus onto your response instead of addressing what they did wrong. It’s manipulative and dishonest, and it’s a way to control the narrative and keep you from pointing out their flaws.
It’s one of the red flags that’s important to recognize because it can create a cycle where you're constantly on the defensive, trying to justify your feelings or actions, while they escape any real consequences for their toxicity.
