Trigger warning - insensitive diet discussion at work?

[usagisan]

At home time today, two female colleagues who I'm friendly with and were sitting behind me started discussing their weightlifting routine at the gym. After a while I joined in (vaguely interested as I'm not fit, but would maybe like to do something about it). They were talking about building glutes and shoulders. I ask about protein and if they're doing a full on diet routine too, in a lighthearted way.

One girl gave a bit of a rant about protein products being high calorie and so a bit useless. I said that I feel a bit funny about calories, having been trained to think that they are bad, but it's v good to think of them as fuel and I'd like to move in that direction too.

The other girl shut down the conversation very forcefully, saying that we must stop talking about calories as it will trigger others in the office, and turned away from us. The office was quite empty.

Was I super insensitive? I agree that banging on about dieting in the office is not great, but surely talking about gym regimes in the first place might trigger some people? I think possibly second girl has ED issues (given her response) but I was talking about my own vulnerability rather than saying 'omg you eat over 1000 calories', etc.

To avoid dripfeeding, I had a mild eating disorder in my late teens/early twenties and am not completely ignorant of how awful it is (although as it was mild and I am OK, obviously slightly ignorant of how terrible ED can be).

Still thinking about this as I like the offended colleague.

I can understand how a conversation mentioning calories and the fact you used to see having calories was a bad thing triggering x but equally, completely understand how you were just talking about it and wasn’t trying to offend anyone. It’s hard to know what could trigger someone and it’s so hard to be mindful of all the different ways we can unintentionally say something triggering! She could have shut down the conversation in a way, like hey, do you mind if we don’t talk about calories ? But then she may have just reacted too x if you feel comfortable maybe just pull her aside and say hey I’m really sorry if I offended you the other day, I hope you’re okay, maybe one day you can give me some tips on how to get started in the gym? X

I’m so glad I don’t work in an office. Don’t think about it anymore. It’s a conversation. Calories exist.

Could she already have been told off or received comments. Dieting, weight, etc can be sensitive topics for some.

Why does this need a trigger warning?

Best way to go is to not talk at all. Be mindful that any word could trigger someone and you could end up in HR on a disciplinary. In 2024 absolutely every topic is triggering.

Best to work at home.

The whole conversation is triggering and inappropriate for work. I would need to have heard the entire conversation to say whether you were particularly insensitive. Just take this experience as not talk about m weight and be direct like she was when you dont like something at work you can shur the conversation down with her.

Do you usually overthink things to this extent?

your use of trigger warning takes the piss. It takes the piss out of the reasons why trigger warnings might sometimes be helpful or necessary. Never saw a trigger warning till about 10 years ago BTW, and I’m well in to middle-age by now, been through some awful shit and I’m still alive.

FFS!

Take a chill pill, it's just a thread title. I used it because someone said that they had been 'triggered' and was concerned about whether I need to adjust my work conduct (or check if she's OK, tbh). I have never accused anyone of triggering me and can assure you I've been through my fair share of shit like everyone else!

Oh for goodness sake.

What does it "trigger". It's a stupid overused phrase designed to enable the feint of heart.

What happened to a spot of resilience. If a conversation bothers you - just move away.

Triggering. Pah!! Pile of bs.

BTW I do agree about people being too quick in general to use the word triggered. I think if you want to save others' feelings it's possibly the least subtle and most embarrassing way to do it... I'd just never been accused of being a triggerer before. I really dislike conflict and the way I was shut down by someone I thought I was friendly with worried me. It's the kind of office where it's fine to call a slightly controversial politician you dont agree with a Nazi. Perhaps I should start being triggered by that?

Trigger warning of an office calorie chat? Stop it! 😂

This is absolutely ridiculous it's amazing people turn up to office at all in case they have to come into contact with people

The world is weird more and more, unless this is some sarcasm thing then makes sense

How can calories be bad? They are what keeps you alive. Literally all food has calories.

@ChiefEverythingOfficer well that's just the point, you're stuck at work and can't just move. People shouldn't discuss weight at work.

It's probably your age making you think so. Things that were once ok in the office or elsewhere have had cultural shifts and no longer allowed to be said. Attitudes and views change, younger people are more aware and sensitive about ED triggers, and thank God for it.
Save the macro convos for your gym buddies.

Your post is triggering. It triggers me to say you're a complete fucktard.

For a colleague of mine, it would have been triggering. The only way they can deal with their ED is via viewing food (low carb and protein heavy) as a fuel while they are pursuing building their muscle through weight training. It's the only way they can find to be able to accept their weight and how they perceive their body.
Might that be the case?

@WildBear i don't think you understand the concept of triggering topics or difference in views

Get over yourself. You shouldn't get to dictate what other people discuss in your general vicinity, you have the option to walk away if it bothers you.

OP just ignore, some people are total drama queens.

Freedom. Of. Speech.

Ageism okay though?

But we are dictated to at work and have expectations and rules around our conduct and behaviours there. It's not like a private conversation on the bus or in the pub.

Are people pissed on this thread or something? It is a Friday night I guess. Bon nuit all

I don’t think some would survive the conversations in my workplace.

Honestly OP you said nothing wrong. They started the conversation and you made appropriate comments given the topic.

Quite 🤔