How can this ever be acceptable behavior?

Question

I currently work two jobs.

I work in the local college for the summer as a receptionist for their Residencies because they sell them like a hotel does during the summer, and I work in a hotel.

Never, in all my years of hotel service, have I had a guest come to the front desk and just start talking about religion out of the blue to me.

But this group.... this group thats in the college right now are driving me nuts.

They are a religious group. The very first thing they did when they were checking in was ask me which church I attend. As though thats any of their bloody business.

When I simply replied "I don't have one and I'm not particularly interested", it resulted in two business cards handed to me immediately. And now those suckers have made it their whole point in the office coming in just to talk to me about religion. They mention god and Jesus constantly.

And I have no polite way of brushing them off because I'm at work and its my job to be polite as possible.

How do I tell these guys to knock it off without being insulting or prompting them to try even harder?

I haven't been rude in any way to them. Just said a polite "thank you, I'm not interested". But they don't get it.

lol. Bad Liberal, I think I'd get fired for that. Funny though.

And to answer a question asked, they're Baptists.

Unfortunately right now, we are very slow or I wouldn't be on here. So I can't exactly look busy. I have nothing to do at the moment. I'm not even sure the management would like me being on here, but there's only one manager in and I'm horribly bored.

Some of you have given me some interesting ideas though. Maybe it will help.

Ugg, I wish people didn't do this stuff. Its a place of work, and its not a place for this.

I try to handle things on my own before going to my manager. If it doesn't subside, I'll have to, though.

Oh yes, I've had worse. But the "worse" are not as persistantly annoying over a long period. The "worse" usually lasts a a few minutes and its over.

Answer 1

Use the same line I used on the second to last bunch of witnesses...

"I said no thank you, and that I'm not interested, and that made you more aggressive. I pride myself on being a polite and courteous person, please don't make me have to act in ways I will regret.... You understand appropriate behavior, because you expect it in others....start demonstrating it to me."

Answer 2

Do you have any way of being 'too busy to talk'. Can you make it look like you have reams and re ems of paper work that you have to concentrate on.
Alternatively talk to your manager - say it is distracting and insulting and how do they think you should handle it. If they are a good manager they will give you a way out and then you can't get into trouble because you are following management advise.
Lastly, it is annoying and awkward but how long are they going to be there? How much of the day can they spend harassing you? Do you really have to listen - often you can politely ignore conversation with just a few mmmhums, make sure there is a clock near by so you can keep telling yourself - its lunch or home soon. I did this while I was being bullied at school and it helped remind me it wasn't forever.

Answer 3

You have received a lot of really good advice, like talking to your boss, telling them that you are busy, etc. Those pesky little Christians can be very persistent.

This is what I would, do , understanding that this may not be an option for you. I would wear my biggest pentacle around my neck, pentacle earrings, another neck strap with my biggest spiral Goddess, put several statues of Gaia, Bast, and Kali Ma in tasteful but prominent places, and find or make a pen holder with "Pagan and Proud" on it in BIG letters, wear my t-shirt that says "Born Again Pagan" or "Witch" on it, and the next time the next time the saved ones came along, I would greet them with my own pagan and /or Witch literature just as soon as the first preaching word came out of their mouths.

I would make sure you have an understanding boss before I tried any of this. But, maybe on a smaller scale? Anyhow, I wish you the best of luck, you are stuck in a really difficult position because you have to be polite to these people who are not giving you any common courtesy. I swear, if I ever had anyone do that to me at my place of work, they would get an earful. I am an ESL teacher and my students don't speak a lot of English, but they would learn a few choice words from me that day!

Bright blessings and best of luck!
Lady Morgana)0(

Answer 4

You could say, "I'm sorry, but I'm not really supposed to chat about personal subjects while I'm working. Is there something I can help you with regarding your stay?" And look for all the world they could only make a transgression by accident.

My advice for next time would be that if they ask you what church you attend, what you believe, or what your religion is, remember that it really is none of their business and you do not have to answer an impertinent question. Blink with a polite and indulgent smile (as if they'd said something in a foreign language you didn't understand) and give them directions to their room.

Answer 5

Since this sounds like a temporary job (since you're only working for the summer), I'm guessing you have a boss. You should tell him or her.

Religious groups tend to get away with a lot at college for multiple reasons. One is that they are taught (by national religiuos organizations) exactly *how* to be as annoying as possible, and another is that people don't complain enough about them.

If you complain to your boss, you might learn where you could direct an official complaint against the group if they are affiliated with your campus in any way. Or, you might be able to get them warned with the possibility of being banned from renting rooms on campus in the future.


Some other people mentioned (and so I am repeating, for emphasis) that you can use forums, like this one, to vent. This *will* make it easier to deal with them until the problem is solved.

Answer 6

Wow, this is a real conundrum. I feel so bad that you have had to deal with this. It must make you dread going to work and feel like a prisoner while you are there.
Have you discussed this issue with your manager. I don't know how understanding s/he is, but perhaps they will have a way around this. I hope these people aren't staying for the whole summer.
I wish I could help more, but I will send you my happy thoughts, and keep thinking about this t see if I can find any solution.

Answer 7

I would talk to your boss! You have a job to do, and it is not social hour. I would ask your boss the next time they come up to you to approach them his./her self and say that this employee has a job to do and your questions are not only interupting their job but said that their not interested.
I am Catholic and I don't feel pushing will get anyone any where. It is by actions that people see who is true and who is not. I would feel the same way if I were you. It makes it hard to concentrate doing your job.
On top of it all, pushing is also called harrassment! God isn't pushy like that and niether should people that believe in Him!

Answer 8

It's hard, because they take politeness as an invitation, you don't want to be rude to your customers but if they approach you at the desk you can use the ol' "Excuse me sir/miss, but I'm working, if this isn't about your room/residence I'll have to ask you to leave" Then look busy with some papers or doodles.

I'm not sure, but I believe it states somewhere in the Bible that if you convince someone who doesn't believe to become a Christian, it's like a thousand prayers.

Answer 9

Tough situation.

I'd tell them that you were uncomfortable discussing religion in the workplace and that you would appreciate it if they would leave the subject alone. I probably wouldn't volunteer information about your beliefs, as that might encourage them in wanting to talk to you about conversion. Just tell them that for you religion is personal and not appropriate to talk about at work.

If that doesn't work, and it's really going to disrupt your work for a while (which is possible, depending on what type of evangelical group we're talking about), you may have to talk to your boss about what the best thing to do is.

Answer 10

I'd love to have the job you have.
I'm not kidding.
It's the time of the year when a lot of groups are taking their missions trips, and yes they can drive you nuts. They are just doing what they have been learning in life. Got to give them some credit, after all I'm sure you have had worse to come in.

Answer 11

I appreciate your attitude and I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. The 'No Soliciation' sign would be the most non-offensive for your business' sake. Good luck.

Now, MY Christian input. Christians believe that if you don't have a relationship with God, you are going to hell. As a matter of fact, that's Biblical. Some Christians realize that they may be the ONLY chance for someone to hear the gospel. They'd rather be a pest and hopefully lead you to Christ than be polite and watch you burn. True enough, I'd never approach a stranger (especially at work) and try to shove the gospel down their throat, but I'm sure the people you are dealing with really do have your best interest in mind.