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Original poster

Would you have been annoyed at the telephone message?

59 replies

Wisteriabloom · 15/07/2022 09:09

For context, I work part-time in a school, term-time only, obviously! Children (living at home) are in their teens, one at school, one at college.

Last night I noticed the Answerphone flashing, so picked up the message. It was from my sister-in-law, saying the following -
'Hi everyone, just checking in with you all about Sunday, still good with me!
I expect you're very close to school summer hols now Wisteria, with John (my dh=her brother) the only one working which can only be GOOD I suppose (said sarcastically). Catch up with you all later!'

She's just made it quite clear she looks down on my working arrangements, hasn't she! I work hard, she has no idea what working in a school is like! It sounded a nasty put-down to me, and has left me not wanting to meet up on Sunday! I'll play it to dh tonight, he's away at the moment. I'm fuming, tbh. 🤔

OP posts:

Original poster

Wisteriabloom · 15/07/2022 10:03

Yes, it was a Voicemail, not a text, her tone was sarcastic!

Thinking about it, she's never criticized my job before, but we are very different! She's single, with no children, and used to 'make fun' of me when the kids were younger, as I enjoyed being with them, taking them places etc. She couldn't see why I didn't palm them off on my mum etc, school hols, but I didn't want to!

She's also more opinionated than me, Poliitics etc, we get on, on the surface but we're different people, totally!

To the person who said how little teachers do, I've heard this before and it's TOTALLY not true! I don't teach, I'm office based, but I see daily the stress these teachers are under, and none of them have 6 weeks off, they're actually in school for a lot of the summer, prepping for next term, etc.

I just felt her comment was unnecessary, and definitely said in a sarcastic tone! Yes, she does work, in NHS Admin.

OP posts:

parenthood1989 · 15/07/2022 10:09

Thinking about it, she's never criticized my job before,

She didn't criticise your job now. She criticised your husband, her brother, in a jokey manner.

Sherrystrull · 15/07/2022 10:20

HumptyDumpty2022 · 15/07/2022 09:25

There is no other profession who does less and complains more than a teacher or assistant.
She was right, you’re about to have six weeks off!

Have I read this right?

If so, this is the type of attitude that school staff are used to that makes us defensive.

Op, anyone who makes comments about my long holidays or perceived short hours gets this type of response...

'I know, it's so wonderful to barely work'
'I'm so lucky to have such wonderful holidays and finish at 3 every day'

Clearly it's not true but always manages to shut up anyone making comments!

HumptyDumpty2022 · 15/07/2022 10:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TwigTheWonderKid · 15/07/2022 10:28

HumptyDumpty2022 · 15/07/2022 09:25

There is no other profession who does less and complains more than a teacher or assistant.
She was right, you’re about to have six weeks off!

I really hope that's a joke, if not, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

I am a school governor and am in awe of the amount of work teachers do.

howshouldibehave · 15/07/2022 10:31

There is no other profession who does less and complains more than a teacher or assistant.

What a thoroughly unpleasant post.

Ontomatopea · 15/07/2022 10:31

Sounds like a "random babbling voicemail" to me. I leave these when I've called someone and am like oh a voicemail what do I dooo

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:32

I can only imagine that she meant because you’ll be off on holidays do technically not working - or am I reaching?

I just don’t know anyone this rude to say you don’t work when you do.

I’d ring or text her and just say you’ve just listened to the message and you’re confused as you haven’t broken up yet so why did she say you’re not working.

If she says anything about the holidays explain that you get paid a lot less for working term time only and it fits around the children.

She sounds very jealous!

Try not to let it get to you.
Mu childminder used to always have digs at me for not working - even though the entire reason I paid her was because I was a single parent working FT!
Some people will always be jealous of other people and try and bring them down.

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:34

@HumptyDumpty2022 I assume you’re a teacher yourself then if it’s such an easy job?

GCHeretic · 15/07/2022 10:41

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:34

@HumptyDumpty2022 I assume you’re a teacher yourself then if it’s such an easy job?

Do you remember campaign to get people to move into teaching?

Ontomatopea · 15/07/2022 10:42

What's wrong with comments about the long holidays? Do teachers not get long holidays? Do they work in the holidays? I'm genuinely asking as I thought teachers got the holidays off.

Sherrystrull · 15/07/2022 10:42

@HumptyDumpty2022

Yes of course I do.
You have no idea about my life or working hours.

Why don't you tell us what you do so we can make Ill-informed and generally unpleasant comments about your job...

hoorayandupsherises · 15/07/2022 10:44

HumptyDumpty2022 · 15/07/2022 09:25

There is no other profession who does less and complains more than a teacher or assistant.
She was right, you’re about to have six weeks off!

Oh look, OP's SIL has joined us!

Itsbackagain · 15/07/2022 10:47

Nothing wrong with that at all!

HumptyDumpty2022 · 15/07/2022 10:47

Pile on me all you like. It’s my opinion and shared by a majority of non teachers.
I’m sorry to offend.

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:47

What's wrong with comments about the long holidays? Do teachers not get long holidays? Do they work in the holidays? I'm genuinely asking as I thought teachers got the holidays off.

Yes of course teachers work in the holidays.

They also work longer hours during term time than most professions and get paid less for the hours worked compared to other jobs.

But there’s nothing wrong with saying that teachers get longer holidays than most professions as it’s factual.

Implying someone doesn’t work just because they work in a school or PT is what’s wrong as it’s simply not true.

butterflied · 15/07/2022 10:48

Yeah, you clearly don't like her. What's wrong with her having opinions about politics?

If you don't want to see her then develop some kind of bug by Sunday.

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:49

Pile on me all you like. It’s my opinion and shared by a majority of non teachers.

I’m sorry to offend.

@HumptyDumpty2022
It’s odd that you’re not a teacher then if you think it’s such an easy job and they get to have such long holidays - surely you’d become one too?

What is your job?

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/07/2022 10:49

If she’s insulting anyone, I think it’s your brother. It was a clumsy “joke”. Unless there’s history, wouldn’t give it another thought.

Pinkdelight3 · 15/07/2022 10:51

She didn't criticise your job now. She criticised your husband, her brother, in a jokey manner.

This! I think it's your own insecurity about how others might see your job that's showing through here.

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:51

campaign to get people to move into teaching?

😂😂😂

HumptyDumpty2022 · 15/07/2022 10:56

It’s not ‘odd’ that I’m not a teacher at all??
Not everyone wants to work with children, some people enjoy a different career even if that means longer hours and less holiday. Surely not everyone chooses their job based on how much holiday they get?
What’s mildly irritating is that teachers claim to be so hard done by, they work no harder than anyone else, often less.
Whatever I claimed to be, nurse, road sweeper, train driver, cleaner or secretary you’d pile on me. So there’s no point.

IncompleteSenten · 15/07/2022 10:59

Oh god I'm thick you clearly said telephone message.
God knows why I read text 🤦. Of course you can tell tone from telephone.

I'm an idiot. Apologies. 🤣

PortalooSunset · 15/07/2022 11:00

I think you don't like her so you're hearing it as a slight.

Ontomatopea · 15/07/2022 11:03

CallOnMe · 15/07/2022 10:47

What's wrong with comments about the long holidays? Do teachers not get long holidays? Do they work in the holidays? I'm genuinely asking as I thought teachers got the holidays off.

Yes of course teachers work in the holidays.

They also work longer hours during term time than most professions and get paid less for the hours worked compared to other jobs.

But there’s nothing wrong with saying that teachers get longer holidays than most professions as it’s factual.

Implying someone doesn’t work just because they work in a school or PT is what’s wrong as it’s simply not true.

Well it wasn't obvious to me. I thought they got school holidays off.

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