Skirt Hiders and other shameful acts

Have you ever heard the term of a Skirt Hider? Think of a woman wearing a long full skirt and someone clinging onto that skirt and hiding in its folds. I know, the term is not used a lot, but it fits. A Skirt Hider is someone who hides behind another person to avoid blame, accusations, or discovery. While they hide they are also stealing ideas, thoughts, and opinions from anyone they can. Basically, they are the annoying barnacle on the proverbial boat of life. This species of human is primarily seen in its natural environment, the office. They suck up your ideas, creativity, experiences, opinions, and thoughts and spew them out as their own. These are the people you avoid sitting next to in meetings, presentations, or working one on one with. Skirt Hiders don't take huge ideas, because they would have to back those ideas up with actual research and work. No, they steal everyday ideas and opinions. The kind that make you shine just a little in a staff meeting, or gets positive attention in a presentation. Just enough to get noticed, but not enough to have to do any real work. They are really trying to steal the words from your mouth before anyone else can hear them. Skirt Hiders will never be responsible for what goes wrong, but always take the credit when things go right. Unfortunately, good office etiquette and professional courtesy are the Skirt Hiders shield. Most people won't call them out because it comes down to a He Said/She Said situation. How can you prove they stole your thought or opinion and is that technically a crime? Can you imagine yelling out "She stole my thoughts!!" in a staff meeting. How about going up to your boss and letting them know that the good for nothing Skirt Hider had asked your opinion with the intent of pawning it off as their own. The victim looks like a flake and the Skirt Hider keeps shining on.

The best defense with a Skirt Hider is to act dumb in their presence...do not say anything intelligent...and always answer their questions with a question. Example:
Skirt Hider: "What are your ideas for the new project?"
You: "Haven't really thought about it yet".
Skirt Hider: " Well, do you think we should go with the first proposal?"
You: "Hmmm, I need more time on that. What do you think?".
This is where your passive aggressive nature can really work in your favor. It's a hell of a lot of work, but the Skirt Hider will be unable to gleam anything worthwhile from you and will move on to their next victim. We must admit that Skirt Hiders have their place in the office environment, just like glory hounds, brown nosers, and stooges. Really, what would an office be like without any of those?