To feel quite ashamed of myself (contains offensive language)

[Shouldhavespokenup]

I was waiting for a colleague last week (we work in pairs) - she was late but had sent a text apologising so I didn't mind.

She turned up swearing and red faced and said she'd been held up in traffic because of a 'f-king P*ki'.'

I'm so angry with myself for not calmly stating I found that sort of language unacceptable.

How would you have dealt with it?

I would have been horrified. I hope it was a one-off, it would be awful to have to deal with that regularly. Who still says that?!

Swearing and red faced? Nothing at that moment if I had to do a shift with her.

Later on perhaps when she had calmed down.

Hmmm. Are you friends as well as colleagues? I think let it go this time but if it happens again maybe say something. I reported a colleague this week for using the term "window lickers" when referring to some staff members with learning disabilities.

I would have said I didn't find that language appropriate and then would have also reported her for it. However, I work in a job in which diversity is a massive part of it (for some reason I am feeling that your job is similar to mine) and if she is using language like that she would be absolutely in the wrong job.

No, we aren't friends.

Gamer, thanks for saying that - I didn't want the whole shift to be awkward.

I would have reported her. I think it's inexcusable and you're condoning it if you don't.

'How on EARTH did you know he was from Pakistan?'

Is how I began the conversation, in a similar ish situation with a colleague.

Nothing