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Original poster

Come backs for comments regarding my clothes

120 replies

Newwardrobe · 01/11/2022 20:22

I have a male colleague who thinks he's a comedian, it's almost impossible to speak to him without him making a 'joke' .
Recently his jokes have been aimed at my clothes.
I have worn a striped top and he asked why I'd come as a sailor ; red trousers and I'm a clown ; black trousers and black top , I was a stick of liquorice; ankle boots with a couple of tassels, asked if I was John Wayne.
I do have a sense of humour but he's getting on my nerves and I'm very close to telling him that at least I can change my clothes but he's stuck with his face .
I don't want to make a big thing of it and be rude but would love a short sharp comment to make him stop, something that won't make me seem like a sour puss but will shut him up.

OP posts:
EdgeOfACoin · 01/11/2022 22:11

doodlejump1980 · 01/11/2022 21:57

Can you play dumb and say “I don’t understand, can you explain why you believe that I look like whatever” and keep asking until he feels really awkward. Turn it back into him.

Yeah, I was going to suggest this.

"Why do red trousers make me look like a clown?" "Sorry, I don't understand."

Just make it awkward and boring for him.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 01/11/2022 22:13

I'd just say "I'm getting really fed up with you constantly commenting on what I'm wearing".

I'm quite blunt though.
I work with someone like this. He's a tosser

Tanfastic · 01/11/2022 22:17

"Who the fuck are you, Gok Wan?"

He sounds like a complete prick.

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Justgivemewine · 01/11/2022 22:19

“Do you makes comments to <senior manager name*> on their clothes?…No? Then why do you think it’s ok to do it to me? Stop”

*male name as I guarantee he wouldn’t do it to a man, senior or not.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 01/11/2022 22:22

Tanfastic · 01/11/2022 22:17

"Who the fuck are you, Gok Wan?"

He sounds like a complete prick.

Best suggestion yet

Original poster
Newwardrobe · 01/11/2022 22:22

Tanfastic · 01/11/2022 22:17

"Who the fuck are you, Gok Wan?"

He sounds like a complete prick.

Lol

OP posts:
Original poster
Newwardrobe · 01/11/2022 22:24

Justgivemewine · 01/11/2022 22:19

“Do you makes comments to <senior manager name*> on their clothes?…No? Then why do you think it’s ok to do it to me? Stop”

*male name as I guarantee he wouldn’t do it to a man, senior or not.

We had a female director in today and his fawning over her was sickening, no 'witty' comments about what she was wearing.

OP posts:
Theskyisfallingdown · 01/11/2022 22:31

No need for any cringey ‘witty’ reply. Get HR or his manager to get him to behave professionally. Email them a list of things he has said to you and he is making you uncomfortable, and you look forward to their response.

Mirabai · 01/11/2022 22:53

Theskyisfallingdown · 01/11/2022 22:31

No need for any cringey ‘witty’ reply. Get HR or his manager to get him to behave professionally. Email them a list of things he has said to you and he is making you uncomfortable, and you look forward to their response.

That’s the most cringey thing of all. You should be able to shut this kind of stuff down without running to HR.

Sparklingbrook · 01/11/2022 22:54

Mirabai · 01/11/2022 22:53

That’s the most cringey thing of all. You should be able to shut this kind of stuff down without running to HR.

Show quote history

It’s not ‘running to HR’, It’s not engaging with him and using the correct channels.

DeireadhFomhair · 01/11/2022 22:55

ClaryFairchild · 01/11/2022 20:26

"If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as you really are."

I like this one, works in lots of situation!

poundthealarm · 01/11/2022 22:57

"commenting on my clothes wasn't funny (yesterday/last week/last month) and it's still not funny today" or " why do you feel the need to constantly comment on my clothes?" And wait for a reply.

What I'd really want to say us more along the lines of "yes I've came to work as a clown/sailor etc etc I see you're still a coming as a massive cunt" but I think that's frowned upon

TomTraubertsBlues · 01/11/2022 23:01

parrotonthesofa · 01/11/2022 20:44

I'd say something like is there a reason that you feel the need to comment on my clothes every day because I'm finding it a bit odd

I'd do this. You can't swear or insult him in a professional setting, but you can definitely make him feel very foolish and awkward by pointing out what's he's doing.

EekGoesTheBaby · 01/11/2022 23:05

Could you say, 'My clothes are professional; your commenting on them is not. Please stop.' And give no reply to his inevitable, 'I was just joking. Lighten up.'

Any comments after that, do not say anything and write down his comments word for word (even better if he sees you doing this). If it continues, you'll have specific examples and dates to give HR (if you choose to do so) that took place after you clearly told him to stop. Even if you don't formally complain, having the 'ammo' against him may prevent you from feeling small or letting him get under your skin. Also, getting no reaction from you may make it too boring for him to continue it.

I agree with PP that if you have a comeback, it could be viewed by him (and others) as mutual joking back and forth. What a jerk! Sorry you have to work with such a child.

idiotmagnet · 01/11/2022 23:09

I see you have a weird clothes fetish too - you seem to enjoy dressing up in your own clothes and behaving like an arsehole.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 01/11/2022 23:11

Next time he does it look him in the eye, don't break eye contact for slightly too long, then glance up at his forehead and back to his eyes with a tiny little smirk on your face, turn slowly and go back to what you were doing.

He's clearly insecure and trying to be class clown. This will drive him insane.

Beamur · 01/11/2022 23:12

Ignore with a slight eye roll or, say 'Cool. Just the look I was going for' and walk off.
Don't waste your energy on getting railed.

Beamur · 01/11/2022 23:14

Thanks autocorrect. Riled. Not railed.

chilimartini · 01/11/2022 23:18

@AlwaysFoldingWashing Brilliant!!

MsGrumpytrousers · 01/11/2022 23:23

I'd aim for completely blank, and say. "I think that's an inappropriate comment for the workplace.

If this happens again I'm going to make an official complaint / report to HR" (whatever your processs is).

I'd also practise beforehand – I know it sounds silly, but I think it really helps.

ElevenOG · 01/11/2022 23:26

No need to say anything. Just pull a flip notebook out of your pocket (and make a really obvious gesture of flipping it open like you're reporting an epic news story), check your watch, then jot down the comment and the time (making sure you mutter what you're writing for extra emphasis)

"Tuesday...10:30am...red trousers...clown...witnesses...uncomfortable (which you underline aggressively)"

He'll stop pretty fucking quickly.

CherrySocks · 01/11/2022 23:27

Next time he does it - with controlled anger in your voice:

"Do you think you could stop making rude remarks about my clothes every day"

Not said as a question.

Original poster
Newwardrobe · 02/11/2022 10:04

Wfh today so can avoid him.

OP posts:
Theskyisfallingdown · 02/11/2022 12:32

It’s not OPs job to get colleagues to behave in a professional manner, she needs to pass it on to someone who gets paid for that shit. HTH. Some of these ‘quips’ suggested would just be making an absolute tit of yourself 😄

Hoppinggreen · 02/11/2022 12:34

I find just saying “that’s rude” and walking off works