My coworker has been making fun of the accent of our Chinese Receptionist.
I told him I didn't find that to be funny, now he's upset.
Did I overeact?
2006-10-26 13:10:47 · 28 answers · asked by martin 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
How I told him was, after about five minutes of him mimicking the receptionist, I said, in a low voice, "hey, that's not cool, and it's not very funn", he stopped, but he also kind of angry the rest of the day
2006-10-26 13:17:48 · update #1
No. You're right and he has the emotional maturity of an 8 yr old. Ignore him untill he has the grace to pull his head out and apologize to you and the receptionist.
2006-10-26 13:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by Skeff 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing. Your coworker was acting like a jr. high school kid. Time to grow up.
I am glad you defended the receptionist. She is doing the best she can and the more support she gets, the better she will be at her job.
This guy needs some classes in cultural diversity.
Besides, she can file harassment complaints against him. How would he like that?
2006-10-26 20:25:34 · answer #2 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that was out of hand of you to say something. Accents are cool I think. I have also worked with people with various accents from all over the place. I have to admit to have had a few chuckles too at times. You should see the laughter I have provoked when trying to say things in other languages! But to continuously make fun of someone DOES seem out of hand especially if it bothers her. (Maybe deep down inside he has a crush on her!). Either way, if he doesn't cut it out he could wind up in deep s... with Human Resources. oooouch!
2006-10-26 20:25:53 · answer #3 · answered by Big V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would find it offensive and would have done what you did. No you did not overreact you did it politely. Kudos to you for mentioning that to your coworker. Obviously he forgot about the harassment policy at work that does not just apply to sexual harassment but to this type also. He wants to be mad let him be mad, all of this will only show that making fun of peoples culture is not allowed especially with allot of companies relying on Diversity in the work place.
2006-10-27 00:55:42 · answer #4 · answered by tazachusetts 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I would find it very offensive. And I would have done the same thing. And if he is angry, so what he will just have to get over it. He was acting in a very rude and insensitive manner and since he has a job, he is obviously old enough to know better. Good for you for taking a stand and telling him so. God bless
2006-10-26 20:41:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for telling him that he was wrong. He is probably upset, because you shamed him. If he continues to act badly towards you or the receptionist - go to upper management and let them handle it.
Otherwise - just go in the next day and act like nothing happened, and see what happens.
2006-10-27 00:36:43 · answer #6 · answered by Karla R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will get over it. You did the right thing. Stand your ground and don't worry how upset he is. He is a jerk for making fun of someones accent in the work place. That is hurtful.
2006-10-26 23:27:33 · answer #7 · answered by purrfectsandcastle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you didn't overreact. Your coworker needs to have some sensitivity training,
maybe you both took it too seriously to some extent but in the work place you have to be extremely careful what you say.
2006-10-26 20:19:28 · answer #8 · answered by smilingmick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Learn to laugh. People make fun of accents all the time. I bet your receptionist could make a joke about your coworkers accent too?!
2006-10-26 20:14:30 · answer #9 · answered by Scorpio 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, I don't think so. Making fun of a person's accent can be regarded as offensive and he needs to be mature enough to recognize and respect that.
2006-10-26 20:18:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋