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AIBU?

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Original poster

Being spoke down to at work by someone younger

37 replies

Lu889 · 11/02/2025 23:11

Aibu to be annoyed about being spoke down to by someone who is younger than me? I feel embarrassed as she actually does have a higher qualification than me (childcare) but she is 19 and im nearly 28 and im a mum. She is very short with me sometimes for no particular reason. I feel like she thinks im not competent, purely based on the qualification aspect, that's the only thing I can think of. I have also worked there longer than her

OP posts:
UndermyShoeJoe · 12/02/2025 07:14

Why does her age come into it. If she’s more qualified and or a superior to you then she will know more than you.

No need to be rude however but being 21 or 57 shouldn’t make a difference.

verycloakanddaggers · 12/02/2025 07:14

im nearly 28 and im a mum

These two factors are irrelevant.

If your colleague is being rude, report to the manager, but don't make it about age or being a mum!

Sevenamcoffee · 12/02/2025 07:11

It doesn’t really matter what the hierarchy is, she shouldn’t be rude to you. Speak to her about it or to a manager if she is rude. Sometimes people are just a bit abrupt in their manner which is not great in a workplace but they don’t necessarily mean it, they are just not very good at expressing themselves.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/02/2025 07:01

JC03745 · 12/02/2025 00:05

Hierarchy at work isn't based on someone's age though! Is she your manager? Do you manager her? No excuse for someone being rude, but to expect respect because you are 9yrs older and a mum is a bit odd.

This.

CleanShirt · 12/02/2025 06:34

She has a higher qualification that you and being a parent has nothing to do with it, regardless of her age.

Bearbookagainandagain · 12/02/2025 06:32

The exact same thread was posted a few months back...

ItGhoul · 12/02/2025 00:49

Age has got nothing to do with workplace structures. When I was 19 and working in retail before I went to uni, I was a manager of people in their 40s and 50s. I’m now 49 and my own manager where I currently work is over a decade younger than me.

Being a mother doesn’t make you more qualified than anyone else in a professional childcare environment, either.

JC03745 · 12/02/2025 00:05

Hierarchy at work isn't based on someone's age though! Is she your manager? Do you manager her? No excuse for someone being rude, but to expect respect because you are 9yrs older and a mum is a bit odd.

Isittimeformynapyet · 12/02/2025 00:04

Spoken.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 00:01

Are you the same position/pay grade?

Would you object to being given the same feedback from someone younger?

healthybychristmas · 11/02/2025 23:21

Is this the woman in the nursery?

Hollyhedge · 11/02/2025 23:14

She sounds annoying. Can you be short/ a bit off back (not rude/ unprofessional but not too friendly). Then she might get the message.

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