If you don't disagree with something, even if the manipulator is trying to pass it off as a joke, voice your disagreement. Better to seem humorless as a first impression than to find yourself complicit in bad behaviour or even just bad policy. Don't be afraid to stand up for others, either. Try to notice if this guy does this to others and stand up for them if and when he does.

I think this one is a fine line. With people like this, it's better to steer clear of ANY interaction whenever possible. Ordinarily I'd agree with you and say staying quiet was akin to condoning and being complicit, because that's what these guys bank on--the quiet complicitness of peers.

However, if you do put your neck out, especially as fresh in the company, you stand to risk further and more serious retaliation from the bully. And if you're already a target, and you're new? Good luck. I say lay low until you get your bearings.

If the others haven't figured out how to protect themselves, that's their problem. When you've been there for a few years and have better footing in your company, then you can speak up. But it's a harsh world out there. Speaking up is going to get you trampled if you don't play it smart. If I saw someone getting picked on, I'd choose my words very wisely, and I'd choose my audience just as much so. I'd also give it a few go-arounds first, to see how others handle the situation before I jumped in. Seriously, people like this bank on the fact that someone is going to get hot headed. They lie in wait for that. When good people speak up, that's when they usually win because they are better at staying cool under pressure, they know how to lie, and they know how to play the crowd.

I'd be curious to see if you've had an experience where speaking up as a newbie benefitted the situation. Usually, a malicious person is going to retaliate to this kind of behavior. I guess if you come off super strong-willed and "don't mess with me" that's one thing, but even then, I'd like to know how you pull that off.