At work my boss walks in and he is wearing shorts. I looked down and noticed that his legs appeared to be shaved. So I asked him, "Do you shave your legs?" He said yes. He rides bicycles and so he explained to me why people who ride bicycles do that. I told him how I once had a cyclist roommate who shaved his legs and how I had found that creepy. Anyhow, my boss later told me that he thought my negative remark about him shaving his legs (and using the word creepy) was offensive. He was very serious. I got scared. The tone sounded like I had crossed a line in the work place. Did I harass him? I feel so confused and ashamed. Okay, so creepy wasn't the best word to have used. I totally respect my boss and would not want to do anything wrong to him. He knows that I am gay, so I am not sure if he thought I was checking out his legs or what. I did apologize and he accepted. We got along well after that, but I still feel weird and so confused and ashamed about it. Help.
2007-09-01 12:55:12 · 9 answers · asked by Zippy 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
People take lots of things personally, and find offense at lots of things -- regardless of what you intend.
If you ever speak or utter sounds, you'll eventually offend someone. It's inevitable.
The only solution is to explain that you didn't mean any offense, and that you weren't making a comment about him personally -- either he'll accept that or he won't.
2007-09-01 13:03:14 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. You're boss was being too sensitive and takes his cycling sport way too seriously. Most straight men just aren't accustomed to other men having any opinions about their legs. Normally, it IS unusual for men to shave their legs so it's something anybody is likely to notice and laugh about. But it's really not appropriate for men to be displaying their legs in the office environment in the first place. Why wasn't he fully dressed when he entered your work area? He disrespected YOU by coming in half-naked. Geez, if a female employee walked into my cubicle wearing something like a halter-top or shorts I'd probably be justified in feeling harrassed and filing a complaint. Besides, you're his subordinate. Sexual harrassment occurs when a superior who is in a position of power over you holds your job over your head in exchange for you allowing his advances. His job isn't in any jeopardy because of your comment, so I don't see how you can be accused of harrassing him. As far as I'm concerned, you can even verbally abuse a boss as much as you want and have no reason to feel guilty, because he can always fire you if he really doesn't like you. Trust me, him making you apologize to him has satisfied his ego.
2007-09-01 18:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never take anyone seriously who takes offense at silly stuff like this. There are things worth being offended at and shaved legs is not one of them.
2007-09-01 13:05:24 · answer #3 · answered by Lunerousse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who knows why everyone places such feedback on an internet site or says them everywhere...it honestly does not shed a solid gentle on the author or narrator notwithstanding it shall we something of the continent comprehend that morons with small minds do exist in our society. individually I forget approximately such comments and sense that any reaction in any respect is giving such trolls the attention that they crave with the intention to sense significant...what a pity to could desire to stay in this sort of low place. the final we are able to do as standard thinking and carrying around some difficulty-loose experience is to not provide them the time of day such feedback do not deserve any commentary in any respect.
2016-11-13 23:01:31 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boss was in the right. You should not have made such a comment. After the explanation, the polite thing to do is to keep your thoughts to yourself.
2007-09-01 13:46:15 · answer #5 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is creepy and if he's such a wimp to get offended, he certainly is not much of a man. Don't worry about it.
2007-09-01 13:02:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
dont worry about it since he did accept your apology ,but no i didnt see anything wrong with your words maybe he 's not comfortable with his self.
2007-09-01 13:07:30 · answer #7 · answered by so curious 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think he might have tooken it the wrong way
2007-09-01 13:01:05 · answer #8 · answered by x0shortie13x0 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
offensive - no
STUPID - OH YEAH
2007-09-01 13:00:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋