aibu to not go to work tomorrow or being over senstative?

[littlemissnaughty121]

I work with 99% men so swearing and banter is always going on. I was moved next to a guy today who is very full of himself, has a degree and sees himself better than everyone else. His language is awful - F this C this. Anyway, he called a lad "duck" so I took the mick & said that I'd throw something at him if he called someone else duck. Anyways, he was swearing like a trooper when one of the lads came over and asked how I put up with it so I repeated that he could swear away as long as he didn't say "duck". Well, he laughed & said "duck" so I threw a tiny piece of paper at him. Well, he lost the plot screaming at me, who did I think I was throwing something at him and to never to do it again, it was so violent - he is a large 6ft6 man to my 5ft2 slim build. I just stared in shock - the other guy walked off in shock. 5 mins later, he repeats what he said and made say that I wouldn't do it again and apologise.

I think one of the managers has had a word as everyone heard/saw it. I sat in total silence for the rest of the afternoon. I am sitting next to him tomorrow so don't want to go in.

Am I overacting?

I dunno what the duck is going on but I'd be really pissed off if someone threw something at me!

Somebody throw something at me:
-A grenade, a rock, a knife: In real life, I run for my life, and contact the police. In a video game, I duck for cover and retaliate with a nuke.

-Paper, a pen, a snow ball, all in a supposedly friendly atmosphere, like an office should be? I duck for cover and retaliate. In kind. Because I am not a loon, or lost in my self-importance to believe that I should take offence if I am play-attacked.

Did you go in OP?

I'm with darthvader on this. If the attitude of some on here is real (and I'm not entirely convinced it is), then I'm really glad I don't, and have never, worked with any of you!

This sort of joshing is the only way to get through the day in some jobs, and it seems very normal to me, even to the throwing a bit of paper. What isn't normal at all is this man's reaction to it, and he should be pulled up for it.

As a temp, though, it's quite possible that the company will find it easier to get another temp, rather than warn or get rid of the man.

I hope you told your agency about it yesterday, so they know both side should the company call them about it.

Jux, I'm really hoping that this is one of those situations where MNetters bluster and say "THAT'S APPALLING, I WOULDN'T PUT UP WITH THAT!" online but in real life just get on with it like sensible people. The thought that people might clutch their arm and scream and about suing you when they've had a tiny screwed up bit of paper thrown at them absolutely terrifies me for the future of our society.

Reminds me of the recent carcass thread.

What was the carcass thread? I missed that one.

I think his problem might have been that you are not his friend OP just someone he works with.
If one of my work "mates" had thrown a ball of paper at me I'd I have taken it in good humour. If someone who occasionally used the spare desk opposite me and whom I didn't have a matey working relationship did that to me, I think I would be pissed off I just won't shout over it. But to me it feels like a bit over familiar and would be thinking to myself "who the fuck do you think you are". As I said I wouldn't shout but your card would be marked in my mind.

Darth I often wonder that when I read certain things. Whether people would genuinely react the way they say they would, or whether it's just a case of they would maybe be a bit miffed and get on with their day.

I don't think we can say the OP over reacted as we don't know the full context of what has gone on. This is intimidation and perhaps something happend on the OPs past to 'trigger' this reaction. He was a twat but its up to the OP what she does about it.

I draw the line at the C word at work. Go in and refuse to sit next to him.

I think this shows you both in a bad light. Saying I've never heard a man use that word is insulting and telling him not to say it when you don't object to vile language is odd. Throwing things at people isn't on and he most definitely over reacted. A girl I work with once threw something at me and found it hilarious and I did give her an earful. It felt very disrespectful. We laughed it off afterwards and both said sorry later. Don't let it turn you off the job