How do you respond to negative people?

Many different ways depending on what they are being negative about. Sometimes it's best to ignore them. Other times I try to help them look at the situation in a more positive way (this only works if the person being negative really wants to work something out and can keep an open mind).  When someone is directly being negative you, it can change how you handle it. Sometimes just apologizing even though you may not have done anything wrong will get them to move on with their life so you don't have to hear continuous negativity. However, if it's something you really feel strongly about, you must say I don't agree, but I can forgive, forget, and move on. You hope they can follow your example and do the same. If not, then let them know that you have nothing more to say and if they someday decide to grow up and and give the forgive and forget method a try to let you know. Being negative will hold you back from all that's important to you so you shouldn't spend more time than necessary around negative people. If you live with a negative person, it can be a constant battle to try to stay positive, but never give up hope that someday they'll find better things to do in their life than to be negative.