I've been contracting in this job for 9 months now. The job is much more junior to what I've been used to (I was in Management) but I looked for this level on purpose to avoid long hours and much stress I used to experience. Also I like to work hard for months then take breaks & travel. I am single & this is the life I live. A couple of months ago, a married female colleague said to me 'you know temps will find it difficult to get work now with the recession'. I mentioned one day that I'd love a shopping assistant (joking), she said 'ah, I have one, are you jealous?'. She also told me that I seem to know a lot about a lot of things, that I should take up knitting instead of reading economic articles. She said she used to knit when she was single & bored. I replied 'oh, I'm not a bit bored'. She is always throwing sickies. I've only had 2 days ill in 9 mths. The fact is, I'm much more qulified than she is. I travel more, speak more languages and generally am more balanced. She is married, 3 kids. Why is she full of jabs? Is it bullying?