not easy to do

It's not easy dealing with a bully, especially if you have had one in your family and have old patterns of behaviour you tend to fall back into.

An aggressive parent will tend to have shy children, who may be fine when away from that parent but the minute they come back to that environment have no recourse for dealing with the difficult person.

Try to deflect the conversation it really does work.. It's not easy to do but it will work.
You must not always agree .. if they are saying something which is obviously untrue then try to gently suggest that this is not the case.

Bullies are used to being agreed with. It makes them feel safe and secure. Victims of bullies are used to agreeing in order to avoid the onslaught of aggression which follows if they do not agree.

But if the difficult person is saying bad things about someone else, perhaps someone in your family and you really don't agree with what's being said. Think about it... Is it right to affirm what the bully is saying ... just to save your skin?

Because the bully will then repeat this and say that 'You' think....this or that...'
You do not want to be misquoted...later to other family members.!

Try to be non committal in your answers. Try gently stating that you have a quiet gentle and kind personality and that you get on well with people.

Bullies really want to get on with people but do not know how and they may try to copy your behaviour, to achieve that.

Remember this ... Little Jemima Hail and hearty thought she'd like to have a party but all her friends were shy and wary, no one came but her own canary. (probably written by Ogden Nash)