Petty coworkers love the backhanded compliment. They’ll tell you that you did a good job on such-and-such for an insert insulting descriptor here. For a newbie. For someone who didn’t get a graduate degree. Or something like that. Give them a big, toothy smile and a genuine, “Thank you!”
Don't get caught up.
The struggle is in fact real.
With friends like this, who needs enemies?
If a co-worker is starting to make things uncomfortable for you in the office, it's time to do something about it.