Personal sensitivties
Discussion
No, not a new intimate lube from Durex but a situation we have had at work.
Two guys talking about a manager who had rather thrown his teddy out over something and one guy says he shouldn't have had " such a fit about it".
The second guy has an epileptic daughter and is suffering a bit at home because of her seizures and took great exception to the remark about "having a fit". He reported it to the line manager who tore the other guy off a strip for being 'insensitive'.
It appears the guy who made the comment was unaware of the daughters condition or the stress his workmate was under as a result but was askwed to apologise for his 'insensitivity' which he did.
Now, I can understand that in this politically correct world referring to a disability without relevance in conversation is frowned upon but I really couldn't see beyond that that it was 'insensitive'. If it was then it is insensitive if I tell a joke or use a phrase about any emotional situation (death, illness, divorce, family history, bad expeience) just in ncase anybody around me may have suffered that without me knowing it. You could argue that people should be careful about what they say if they are unsure people if would be offended but that makes for a difficult life all round IMHO.
Opinions: politicaly correct, or right that we shouldn't say things with the potenmtil to offend in any work circumstances?
You decide.
People need to get thicker skins.
If he had said something like "You know, we really should get the Combat 18 around here to clean up this ethnic problem" or "Why does the NHS waste money on the disabled when it's cheaper to just shoot them and dump their bodies in the nearest skip?"
Well, then the man might have a point. But reading into any little figure of speech is quite pathetic.
If he had said something like "You know, we really should get the Combat 18 around here to clean up this ethnic problem" or "Why does the NHS waste money on the disabled when it's cheaper to just shoot them and dump their bodies in the nearest skip?"
Well, then the man might have a point. But reading into any little figure of speech is quite pathetic.
If you were careful what you said not to offend anyone who might be about, you would probably never open your mouth.
Fair enough it wasn't nice for the bloke who heard it, but surely he understands that the person who said it didn't know and isn't going to tip toe about everywhere.
The guy took offence, so should just get an apology and then that's that. It doesn't need to go further. Anyone who would take it further probably have "claims direct"'s phone number on speed dial.
Fair enough it wasn't nice for the bloke who heard it, but surely he understands that the person who said it didn't know and isn't going to tip toe about everywhere.
The guy took offence, so should just get an apology and then that's that. It doesn't need to go further. Anyone who would take it further probably have "claims direct"'s phone number on speed dial.
sleep envy said:
so it's fine to b
h about someone else as long as you don't find the comments a bit close to your own bone?
ffs
Amen.h about someone else as long as you don't find the comments a bit close to your own bone?ffs
My eldest had petit mal seizures when she was younger. Basically she'd just stop dead and then reboot. It was kinda weird to watch but she's grown out of it now.
We did what any responsible parent would and took the piss out of her
HRG said:
sleep envy said:
so it's fine to bh about someone else as long as you don't find the comments a bit close to your own bone?
ffs
Amen.h about someone else as long as you don't find the comments a bit close to your own bone?ffs
My eldest had petit mal seizures when she was younger. Basically she'd just stop dead and then reboot. It was kinda weird to watch but she's grown out of it now.
We did what any responsible parent would and took the piss out of her
The man is a Knobjocky - Class A.
He would be an ideal to "fit up". It shouldn't be too hard to lead him into a situation where he uses a word or phrase "insensitively". Perhaps engage him in a lively discussion on immigration or maybe a joke telling session may be good lines to take, resulting in him facing similar disciplinary action from a "sensitive" colleague. Then he'll truly know what it's like to have the PC baton come down on his skull.
He would be an ideal to "fit up". It shouldn't be too hard to lead him into a situation where he uses a word or phrase "insensitively". Perhaps engage him in a lively discussion on immigration or maybe a joke telling session may be good lines to take, resulting in him facing similar disciplinary action from a "sensitive" colleague. Then he'll truly know what it's like to have the PC baton come down on his skull.
My brother has epilepsey. I call his fitting 'having a benny' he's fine with it.
People that take offence at this stuff are just pissed that life hasn't quite turned out how they'd like. There's two ways to deal with that:
- be grateful for what you've got, i.e. that she only fits once a day and not every half hour (which is perfectly feasible)
or
- take it out on other people who are easy prey for your over sensitivity.
Guess which on the OP's colleague falls under.
People that take offence at this stuff are just pissed that life hasn't quite turned out how they'd like. There's two ways to deal with that:
- be grateful for what you've got, i.e. that she only fits once a day and not every half hour (which is perfectly feasible)
or
- take it out on other people who are easy prey for your over sensitivity.
Guess which on the OP's colleague falls under.
I had a similar foot-in-mouth experience at work:
Me: "Oi Gerald, you know your Dad?"
Gerald: "Yeah."
Me: "Liar!!!"
Which everyone found terribly amusing, apart from myself when I later learnt that he had never known his father and was bought up in a care home.
I did apologise as soon as I was told, of course, and the chap knew I didn't know about his upbringing so wasn't offended.
Me: "Oi Gerald, you know your Dad?"
Gerald: "Yeah."
Me: "Liar!!!"
Which everyone found terribly amusing, apart from myself when I later learnt that he had never known his father and was bought up in a care home.
I did apologise as soon as I was told, of course, and the chap knew I didn't know about his upbringing so wasn't offended.
sultanbrown said:
I had a similar foot-in-mouth experience at work:
Me: "Oi Gerald, you know your Dad?"
Gerald: "Yeah."
Me: "Liar!!!"
Which everyone found terribly amusing, apart from myself when I later learnt that he had never known his father and was bought up in a care home.
I did apologise as soon as I was told, of course, and the chap knew I didn't know about his upbringing so wasn't offended.
That's not similar at all. That's just one of thoe things you should never say to people you don't know.Me: "Oi Gerald, you know your Dad?"
Gerald: "Yeah."
Me: "Liar!!!"
Which everyone found terribly amusing, apart from myself when I later learnt that he had never known his father and was bought up in a care home.
I did apologise as soon as I was told, of course, and the chap knew I didn't know about his upbringing so wasn't offended.
Some peope are just stupidly over sensitive - its usually made up so that they can get attention/feel important. to be honest I've used that term many times - its a figure of speech that everyone uses. If someone took offence I wouldnt apologise. Sounds like your employer has got head up the arse PC syndome.
If I were you I'd be looking for another job about now
If I were you I'd be looking for another job about now
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