Most bosses are great. In fact, most bosses, if you play your cards right, can end up being some of the best friends you’ll make in life. Probably not the same kind of friends as the ones you’re used to, but the kind of friend who can recommend you for that killer high-paying job. Of course, some bosses aren’t quite the cup of sunshine you’d like, and that’s why you’re here.

Have you ever had to deal with a Boss that was just plain bad? You know, the kind of boss that seems like they would much rather be at the dentist getting a wisdom tooth pulled without anesthesia than at work. Well, welcome to Bad Bosses 101, where we’ll teach you how to deal with the bosses that are making your work life unbearable.

The first thing to do when you and your boss seem to be at odds is to try to talk it out. It’s important to try to communicate with each other before the gap between you grows and you end up quitting. A reasonable boss will at least try to come up with a solution that both of you can live with. You have to be willing to be reasonable yourself, though ­ negotiation doesn’t go one way, and you may have to compromise with something like a transfer to a more suitable location.

Now, with an unreasonable boss, the situation is a little different. If you think talking will only bring you more heartache (or headache!), try talking to his or her supervisor. Most times, that supervisor will treat the situation fairly. But be careful, your boss will not like you going over them. It could cause you even more problems if she finds out.

If talking doesn’t work for you, try to be patient. There may be a chance that your boss will get promoted, transferred, or placed into a different department. Also, if your job is only for a few months, like a summer, it might be best to try to suffer through it. If it helps, do the Ally McBeal thing. In other words, visualize your boss looking extremely goofy. Imagine them in big flowery hats, dressed as a clown, anything that will help you make it sanely through the day... But again, be careful! Don’t bust up laughing in front of your red-nosed, big-shoed head honcho.

If all else fails and you just can’t take it anymore, quit. Find another job first! Never quit a job unless you have a backup. It’s a lot harder to find a job once you’ve quit than to find one while you’re working. When doing interviews, most employers will ask why you’re leaving your current job. Be diplomatic. Saying that you’re looking for "a more positive work environment" is a lot better than saying "My boss is an incompetent moron." Even though the latter may actually be true, it’s just not good for your future boss to hear you talking negatively about your old boss.

Believe it or not, you will have at least one bad boss in your lifetime. For those unfortunate occasions, review the lessons you’ve learned at Bad Bosses 101. Most importantly, don’t snap on your supervisor. He or she is a person, too, and their feelings can be hurt. Also, make sure you’re looking at the situation objectively before you blow up. Is it really that bad? If so, you’ve got your syllabus to review!