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Original poster

This is really fucking awkward.

272 replies

LordOfTheThings · 31/08/2021 09:58

I've discovered a relationship between two work colleagues. She is widowed and he is married and I really wish I didn't fucking know anything about it. She is head of my department and I have regular meetings etc. Why do I feel embarrassed when it's not be doing anything wrong? This is excruciating.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 31/08/2021 11:57

Um what now? Excrutiating?

And how do you know? Please tell me it’s not grapevine gossip and you’ve got all excited?

Iwonder08 · 31/08/2021 11:59

Get a life? Has zero to do with you

Original poster
LordOfTheThings · 31/08/2021 12:03

God almighty yes it's 'excruciating', no I'm not 'focussed' on it (well I kind of am right this minute but I'll get over it), no it's 'none of my business (obviously), but when you catch a work colleague fingering your boss at ten past 9 on a Tuesday morning when you've gone into a cupboard to get some glue sticks, it's not really ideal.

I'm now hiding in my classroom and not coming out ever again. I'm just not as cool as some of you oh so cool mumsnetters ... 😁

OP posts:
Original poster
LordOfTheThings · 31/08/2021 12:04

And yeah, I am judging.

OP posts:
Insidelaurashead · 31/08/2021 12:08

Jesus OP, it's bang out of order when they're putting a colleague in a situation where they have to see that. What if you'd sent a child in? Yeah, doing something physical like that AT WORK is completely different to just 'I know they're together and I don't like it'. The latter would be a well just ignore it, IMO, but the former is GRIM

storminabuttercup · 31/08/2021 12:11

Massive drip feed Grinyes I'd be embarrassed too, that's grim

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 31/08/2021 12:12

You should probably have put that in your op.

Knowing about a fling, and catching them at it in a cupboard are two very different things.

I would probably report that since you work in a school. It could easily have been a pupil walking in.

Aquamarine1029 · 31/08/2021 12:13

but when you catch a work colleague fingering your boss at ten past 9 on a Tuesday morning when you've gone into a cupboard to get some glue sticks, it's not really ideal.

You didn't think to mention that in your op? Hmm

Topia · 31/08/2021 12:13

Nah turn a blind eye

Hercisback · 31/08/2021 12:16

Pretty awkward you finding them in a cupboard. They're lucky it wasn't a pupil.

Can't get too excited about the 'affair' though.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 31/08/2021 12:16

I hope they washed their hands.

Original poster
LordOfTheThings · 31/08/2021 12:20

No pupils in just now, some of us are just in setting up and getting organised. I'd like to think that they would be a little more discreet when term starts next week.

Ah fuck it, not my problem, but yes it was embarrassing (although I seem to be alone on thinking that) and to be honest there was a pretty good chance they were going to be caught out, so it's a bit shit to put others in a situation that they would clearly rather avoid.

OP posts:
Hercisback · 31/08/2021 12:23

Agree its embarrassing for all involved and not something I'd really want to witness.

Chachachawoo · 31/08/2021 12:25

Blimey! Of course it's a grim situation for you to be in.
Not sure anyone could find anything other than excruciatingly embarrassing.
Sorry for you op. Not a good day to have eyes...

TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 31/08/2021 12:26

I think had you put that extra level of detail in your OP then you’d have had different responses!

youvegottenminuteslynn · 31/08/2021 12:26

If you'd said you caught them actually in the act in a cupboard then I think everyone would have agreed it feel embarrassing and super awkward! It sounded like you'd just found out somehow much less up close and personal in your OP! So based on the update, totally normal you're at maximum cringe level walking in on that!

Crummyfunnymummy · 31/08/2021 12:26

Hmmm yeah….the catching them doing that is rather excruciating (though why you didn’t mention that in your OP as it sounded like you just “knew about it” and I thought you were being somewhat melodramatic at finding the knowledge excruciating). I fail to see that their marital status is any of your business. What they choose to do is of no concern to you, married/widowed or whatever. However where/when they choose to do it is your business if you’ve had the unfortunate experience of catching them at it. Are you in a quandary about what to do? Or are you happy to bleach your eyeballs and hope it goes away?

Aquamarine1029 · 31/08/2021 12:26

Your first post was not clear, at all. You insinuated that you merely knew about their affair, not that you walked in on them in the work place. I would file an official complaint. Their behaviour is disgusting and makes for a very uncomfortable, potentially hostile, work environment.

thecatfromjapan · 31/08/2021 12:27

It's awkward precisely because it's the intrusion of private life into the professional space.

If the OP knows, it means her colleagues have failed to keep that separation in place - it's been already been made impossible for her to ignore.

I don't know why people are being so snippy with the OP.

Original poster
LordOfTheThings · 31/08/2021 12:31

I should have been clearer in my OP, although I did say that I had 'discovered', not that I'd heard some gossip as some have assumed. I was a bit taken aback I suppose.

OP posts:
SheldonesqueTheBstard · 31/08/2021 12:34

Indeed thecatfromjapan

Aquamarine1029 · 31/08/2021 12:35

@LordOfTheThings

I should have been clearer in my OP, although I did say that I had 'discovered', not that I'd heard some gossip as some have assumed. I was a bit taken aback I suppose.
We're not mind readers.
trumpisagit · 31/08/2021 12:37

Eurgh. I hope they apologise to you OP. If they are that indiscreet it will be everyone's knowledge soon enough.

BlackShadowCat · 31/08/2021 12:37

One of my teachers had an affair with a pupil's dad. That was REALLY awkward when it all came out especially as it was a secondary school.

I'd just pretend you haven't noticed, but it will be awkward when you run into his wife and kids (if he has kids). He's a shitbag!

godmum56 · 31/08/2021 12:40

@BlackShadowCat

One of my teachers had an affair with a pupil's dad. That was REALLY awkward when it all came out especially as it was a secondary school.

I'd just pretend you haven't noticed, but it will be awkward when you run into his wife and kids (if he has kids). He's a shitbag!

and she isn't?
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