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Original poster

To think colleagues joke was NOT acceptable?

471 replies

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 18:10

My team has a meeting every Monday (virtual) and there’s always chat at the start about weekends etc. One of my colleagues said he’s worrying because his holiday plans for the year include already booked trips to Cyprus and Dubai. Another colleague then said ‘any chance you can book a trip to France next’ and he got a few laughs.

I have family in France, as does another colleague I’m aware of. Is it me or is this type of ‘joke’ really inappropriate given the current climate?

OP posts:
Keepoffmyartichokes · 02/03/2026 20:04

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 20:03

I do think some have lost sight of what a professional workplace looks like in this day and age.

I am glad retirement is on the horizon.

The responses here evidence exactly why it was an inappropriate remark - heck, I hadn’t even considered the possible link to boats given the rise of the likes of Farage and the far right in this country.

I think some people have lost sight of humour

Tacohill · 02/03/2026 20:04

As you say this colleague was worried and so are many other people.
Its pretty normal to try and make fun/light of the situation to ease people’s concerns.

I can’t believe you’ve tried making it about yourself.

We were joking today about how we’re still going to be expected to work and meet certain targets, even if we’re having to fight in a war or if the building is barely standing.

Original poster
LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 20:03

I do think some have lost sight of what a professional workplace looks like in this day and age.

I am glad retirement is on the horizon.

The responses here evidence exactly why it was an inappropriate remark - heck, I hadn’t even considered the possible link to boats given the rise of the likes of Farage and the far right in this country.

OP posts:
lifeisgoodrightnow · 02/03/2026 20:01

Performative outrage

SouthernNights59 · 02/03/2026 20:00

I would hate to work with someone like you, and fortunately in almost 50 years of working never did so.

Why are people so lacking in humour and offended about everything these days? (actually, it's mainly on MN I find) Confused

DuchessofStaffordshire · 02/03/2026 19:57

Good lord. Sorry, but I think this is a you problem.

Recreateaplace · 02/03/2026 19:56

I do think this is just a wind up.

BlueJuniper94 · 02/03/2026 19:55

2dogsandabudgie · 02/03/2026 18:53

Are you serious?

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No.

BrownandBlueCarpet · 02/03/2026 19:54

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 19:10

Been there, done that. If this sort of thing came across my desk I’d have treated it with the utmost importance.

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I'm sure your manager has got more important things to deal with than a vexatious complaint from a self-absorbed member of staff.

You are being very unreasonable.

wrongthinker · 02/03/2026 19:54

Lighten up, OP. Life is too short for this level of pettiness.

ActoBelle · 02/03/2026 19:53

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 18:34

I’ll leave that to my manager to deal with when she returns tomorrow and has an email from me to pick up.

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Oh dear. I’m a manager, I’d think you were about 12yo if I got such an email. Way to make an impression l

Lucy998 · 02/03/2026 19:52

I feel sorry for anyone having to work with you. It must be insufferable.

Trying to find offence in everything is a tiresome trait. You will be now be marked down as someone to get rid of when the opportunity arises as you are a destructive influence in the workplace.

Epidote · 02/03/2026 19:52

It is a poor joke on the topic nobody likes France except French. Frenemies countries and so own. Is bad taste but is a classic.
It wasn't personal OP.

ActoBelle · 02/03/2026 19:52

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 18:16

It was the top one. The person who said it made it clear after when he saw some bemused looking faces.

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If you report it he’ll just deny it. He will say he was offering helpful advice in safer holiday destinations and you’ll look like an idiot. And yes, I do think managers have more important things to deal with this than this level of drivel.

Happytap · 02/03/2026 19:51

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 19:10

Been there, done that. If this sort of thing came across my desk I’d have treated it with the utmost importance.

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You have too much time on your hands at work.

Createausername1970 · 02/03/2026 19:50

YourSassyPanda · 02/03/2026 19:06

It’s a trend among young people online to hate France. Not sure why, my sons explained it to my recently.

I think it's been a "trend" to take the piss out of France for centuries. And for them to respond in the same vein. I believe they used to refer to us as Roast Beef, because we historically were associated with eating a lot of roast beef and in turn we called them Frogs because they ate Frogs legs.

It's historic.

Doesn't mean it's right in this day and age, but I doubt very much that person who said it actually has any beef (roast or otherwise) with the country or it's inhabitants.

nevernotmaybe · 02/03/2026 19:47

Nothing wrong with the joke. For your offence to have any value, it has to mean for to happen and be a threat your family. And if they meant it, it wasnt then a joke. Leaving you with a logical hole in your own offence.

But at work? You have to be more careful, people like you might be about and they should know better than to take the risk ever so it's better to never do that.

Climbingrosexx · 02/03/2026 19:46

So he is saying he wants to see France attacked next? I mean somewhere so close to home? Really? I would just assume he is a muppet and not let him live rent free inside your head

nolongeranutjob · 02/03/2026 19:45

Lambington · 02/03/2026 19:41

Its hate speech. You should report to HR and police.

😂😂😂😂

SeekOIt · 02/03/2026 19:44

Ok, so you're offended. And...?

Arlanymor · 02/03/2026 19:44

Lambington · 02/03/2026 19:41

Its hate speech. You should report to HR and police.

And MI5 and Interpol and my Mum (she’s very no nonsense and scary AF when she wants to be).

BillieWiper · 02/03/2026 19:44

I don't get it? If it was an insult or joke it went right over my head.
They are saying France is dangerous to visit on holiday? That it isn't? That it's good or bad to visit France? That France is positive or negative? In what way?

People used to say things about my culture's country being dangerous or in a negative light when there was a civil war going on. I didn't tend to allow it to offend me as the politics of any country and it's leaders behaviour is out of my control.

Lambington · 02/03/2026 19:41

Its hate speech. You should report to HR and police.

MissAustenMadeAQuilt · 02/03/2026 19:40

LaurenkI · 02/03/2026 19:10

Been there, done that. If this sort of thing came across my desk I’d have treated it with the utmost importance.

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When you were a manager what would have been an issue that you wouldn't have treated with the utmost importance?

If a colleague punched another colleague in the face and broke a nose would that be treated with the utti utti utti most importance?

Does your definition of the term "utmost importance" mean nothing more than a lark's fart to most of us!

PyongyangKipperbang · 02/03/2026 19:37

HisNibs · 02/03/2026 19:32

Well if the manager thought that the OP was possibly a bit of a twat before, they have completely removed all doubt now. What an overreaction. Slow clap...

Quite. As the saying goes "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt"

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