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Original poster

Catty women in office

54 replies

DaphneDahlia · 14/01/2025 18:50

Yesterday I dropped into my company main office. Since Covid the office is not used so much as a lot of staff WFH.
My experience of some of the Personal assistants is dreadful. I walk into the office and feel dread as the atmosphere is very awkward as soon as I walk in. I feel intimidated and see side glances and smirks between them when I speak.
This is ridiculous as I am a grown woman who is close to retirement. Why am I letting such women have a negative effect on me. I came away feeling really uncomfortable and sad.
Has anyone experienced this and how did you cope?

OP posts:
HolyPeaches · 14/01/2025 23:13

In life, we can’t control what happens to us and how others act. All we can control is how we respond and deal with it.

Life’s too short to give these women head space. Life’s too short to feel intimidated and small by the opinions of other people.

Simply ignore them. If they are genuinely smirking at each other to mock you then they sound like pathetic, childish, insecure sad acts, who aren’t worth your emotions or time.

NewPinkJacket · 14/01/2025 23:06

Have you left something out?

What are the side glances and smirks about?

Or do you have literally no idea?

Original poster
DaphneDahlia · 14/01/2025 22:58

@Garlicnorth some good points. I will try to breeze in. I took a deep breath before going in yesterday and felt confident but I crashed and burned within seconds.
It's pathetic really. As I said I'm a grown woman and more senior to them (within a different area).

OP posts:
Garlicnorth · 14/01/2025 19:03

Has this made you feel 'small' when you go in? With deep breaths if needed, try bouncing in, all chirpy, taking up space. Beam hello at them all, ask about their weekends or something, compliment a new hairstyle. Keep it going.

If they're stuck holding a near-empty fort all day, it wouldn't be surprising for them to have developed an 'us against the world' dynamic and perhaps resent interruptions. Try being a pleasant break from their tedium!