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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:
Arlanymor · 02/03/2026 19:37

Mingspingpongball · 02/03/2026 19:12

I haven’t read all the responses but is this perhaps a rugby related “joke”?

They’re not playing until the 14th.

Keepoffmyartichokes · 02/03/2026 19:37

Viviennemary · 02/03/2026 19:34

So what is the explanation for this joke.

I think it's saying book France next time so they get attacked but meant as a joke due to the rivalry between France and England. Its the kind of joke that's said about my home town, I would chuckle about it to be honest.
I don't mind a bit of dark humour and I really don't think the man meant it with any malice.

Yoosee · 02/03/2026 19:36

Does your colleague look like this, OP?

(I’d have taken it as equivalent to “next time stick to Cleethorpes” fwiw.)

To think colleagues joke was NOT acceptable?
SiberFox · 02/03/2026 19:35

Bloody hell, speech police and cancel culture at its best. What happened to giving each other some grace? Do you really think your colleague is an evil psychopath wishing ill even if he misspoke?

Viviennemary · 02/03/2026 19:34

So what is the explanation for this joke.

ExtraOnions · 02/03/2026 19:34

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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Shark officially jumped ….

muggart · 02/03/2026 19:33

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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I knew you wouldn’t actually deal with this yourself.

Honestly this sort of attitude is so poisonous for society. Just say something yourself and own it if you really feel wronged. Going whining to the boss is cowardly and blows something small up into a bigger deal than it needs to be. Nobody will respect you for this, I mean you don’t even respect your own opinion enough to act on it without asking for validation here.

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...

ThatThisThatYou · 02/03/2026 19:31

You’ve emailed your manager about it! Incredible.

Cardijumps · 02/03/2026 19:31

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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Have you ever wondered if this might be why you’re no longer a manager?

youalright · 02/03/2026 19:31

It made me laugh

The2ndMrsMaximDeWinter · 02/03/2026 19:28

Oh wow, you really are being over the top.

DH’s family are Scottish and they would say the same to me about England, they have said similar. It’s messing about between countries which has historical rivalry - that is all.

also if it was so unacceptable, why on earth didn’t you say anything at the time rather then run to the bosses? Nobody likes a grass

Hereforthecommentz · 02/03/2026 19:28

You sound like a total drip. If you had an issue perhaps say at the time like an adult, don't go running to HR about something so trivial it's very childish.

Teenageboymum · 02/03/2026 19:27

You do realise you do not have the right to live free of offence? It was a stupid joke.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 02/03/2026 19:27

Mingspingpongball · 02/03/2026 19:21

@Mangledrake
Its literally the first thing I thought of - a stupid kind of “joke” lost on people who for instance don’t give a shit about rugby or have a clue why this could even pass for a joke. Out of context it seems very odd but I’d literally never go to xenophobia or “boat” related issues as that’s a bit laser-focused and so completely inappropriate for work that it wouldn’t usually occur to a person to try to make that “joke”.., but a rugby type “joke” might

Sorry, where does rugby come into this?

Some of the offence taken has its true been a bit of a stretch, but I can’t see my way to rugby at all. What am I missing?

feellikeanalien · 02/03/2026 19:27

I am so glad I don't work in an office any more.

MandemChickenShop · 02/03/2026 19:27

Really nasty from the OP to make a fuss about this.

G5000 · 02/03/2026 19:26

wow your workplace must be really slow moving if people have nothing else to do than look for random things that could potentially be interpreted as offensive. If I was the manager, I might warn the 'offending' colleague to stay away from you. But you will be quite lonely soon, if you keep being perpetually offended.

Jamesblonde2 · 02/03/2026 19:23

My God, looking at your responses, you’re worse than I thought. What a boring back stabbing mare. Hope your colleagues avoid you like the plague. If you’re this bad at work what on earth are you like outside of work?! I assume you don’t have any friends.

Coconutter24 · 02/03/2026 19:23

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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What did he say to make it clear?

bringthewashingin · 02/03/2026 19:22

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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🙈

Mothers Day Lol GIF by reactionseditor
Mumandcarer80 · 02/03/2026 19:22

I don’t think he meant France was the safer option. He was most likely referring to people crossing the channel from France on small boats. People fleeing from a war isn’t something to joke about. How many Brits stuck in those countries will decide to stay and fight?

Mingspingpongball · 02/03/2026 19:21

@Mangledrake
Its literally the first thing I thought of - a stupid kind of “joke” lost on people who for instance don’t give a shit about rugby or have a clue why this could even pass for a joke. Out of context it seems very odd but I’d literally never go to xenophobia or “boat” related issues as that’s a bit laser-focused and so completely inappropriate for work that it wouldn’t usually occur to a person to try to make that “joke”.., but a rugby type “joke” might

Hopefulsalmon · 02/03/2026 19:21

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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Utmost importance

Think you've jumped the shark there, OP 🤣

Jamesblonde2 · 02/03/2026 19:20

Lighten up FGS. There’s enough misery in life, where would we be if we didn’t try and lighten the mood.

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