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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Manager keeps correcting me.

121 replies

User1234567891011 · 16/12/2016 09:01

I'm 100% okay with being told IABU.

I work in a fast paced area, very loud and very busy - its hard to hear people and as a result asking someone to repeat themselves is the usual. I often have to ask ''What?'' because I didn't catch something.

My manager has a habit of saying ''Pardon!'' every time I say ''What?'' as a way of correcting me - Every. Single. Time. Its like having my mother in work.

AIBU to think she shouldn't be doing this every time? I could understand if I wasn't saying please or thank you, but I do. Just for full disclosure we're from different counties (I'm from the north), she also tends to correct the way I say things because of my accent.

OP posts:
PaddingtonLoverOfMarmalade · 16/12/2016 10:06

Surely it's tone of voice as much as what you say. So long as you're not snarling at people and they understand what you're meaning I can't see a problem.

Crumbs1 · 16/12/2016 10:06

A lavatory or loo. Never, ever the T word.

happychristmaspoobum · 16/12/2016 10:07

Sorry - Cavendish

FizzySweeties · 16/12/2016 10:08

TBH if it's your manager, I would just go with what she wants. It's a small point and if you give her that one it'll make her happy. Happy bosses are a good thing, means you can get cut slack in other areas if and when you need it.

Pogolphin · 16/12/2016 10:09

Change it to "Fucking What!?"

"What?"
Manager: "Pardon"
"Fucking What" Grin

londonrach · 16/12/2016 10:09

Its rude to correct someone if not a child learning to speak.

Original poster
User1234567891011 · 16/12/2016 10:10

FizzySweeties But surely if I don't get cut slack in areas because of the way I talk that is discrimination?

The way it works is we have different managers on different shifts and sometimes multiple managers on a shift. Its not like she's the be all and end all of managers.

OP posts:
happychristmaspoobum · 16/12/2016 10:11

Pogolphin I like your style Xmas Grin

pasturesgreen · 16/12/2016 10:12

Manager is being rude.

And anyway it's "what?", not pardon.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 16/12/2016 10:14

My folks used to have a fit if any of us ever said 'pardon'.

We had to say, 'I beg your pardon?' - which is a mouthful and very likely outdated now, but 'pardon' still makes me wince.
I find 'sorry?' does the job nowadays.

Etak15 · 16/12/2016 10:14

She shouldn't be correcting your accent - you can still talk correctly whatever your accent is! That would piss me off! Anyway it must be their accent that is wrong if any cos our Northen one is bang on Wink
Who says pardon really? I only say it to the kids when they've said something rude or in an attitude tone of voice - so my pardon would mean "what did u just say?!"
I don't say pardon at work, I say what? Or sorry?

Crankycunt · 16/12/2016 10:15

What on its own is rude, what was that is better because it's not as blunt. If any of my staff sad 'what' to a customer I'd take them to one side and explain that it's rude.

ivykaty44 · 16/12/2016 10:15

What did you say?

Nothing wrong with saying what?

Are you asking public to repeat what they say?

Your manager is on dodgy ground with his behaviour and it needs to be addressed

Crankycunt · 16/12/2016 10:15

said

FetchezLaVache · 16/12/2016 10:18

Pardon is v. v. non-U. Jilly Cooper's daughter once said that her mother would rather one said 'fuck' than 'pardon'.

There's also a bit in Moab Is My Washpot in which the matron tries to get Stephen Fry to say it and the v. v. U teacher interjects with "if any boy here is ever told to say 'pardon me', 'I beg your pardon' or, heaven forfend, 'I beg pardon', they are to say to the idiot who told them to say it, 'I refuse to lower myself to such depths, Madam'. Is that understood?"

NicknameUsed · 16/12/2016 10:19

I was brought up to think that "what" was rude. I just say "sorry, could you repeat that".

iklboo · 16/12/2016 10:19

Just play verbal tennis with her - like you don't think she's heard you.

What?
Pardon
What?
Pardon
What?
Pardon

Miserylovescompany2 · 16/12/2016 10:20

I think your manager is being rather pedantic. What she is doing isn't constructive, it's nit picking. To be correcting your accent isn't on, would she do that with a worker who's first language wasn't english? I'm guessing not.

Is it just you that she corrects? Or is it her theme?

ivykaty44 · 16/12/2016 10:21

Tell her a disaplinary for picking on someone grammar is the same in any accent....

MrsHathaway · 16/12/2016 10:21

Pardon is for if you burp.

Yes, this.

I think she will stop "correcting" you if you can try to go for "sorry, what?" rather than just "what?"

I don't think it's inappropriate for a manager to say "um, round here people say pardon, and I'm concerned that our customers would find you rude when you say what, so please could you not" ... but just barking corrections at you is awful.

SapphireStrange · 16/12/2016 10:22

'Pardon' is horribly bourgeois and non-U. Stick to 'What'.

She's a tit for 'correcting' your accent. Ask her not to, or refer it to her manager.

19lottie82 · 16/12/2016 10:22

If you're saying "what?" to customers, then that's not really OK.

PollytheDolly · 16/12/2016 10:22

I'm from Suffolk and my "what?" Is a

"Huh?"

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 16/12/2016 10:24

I only use "Pardon" or "I beg your pardon" to the DC when they are being cheeky - its usually accompanied by a deathstare.

lovelearning · 16/12/2016 10:25

User1234567891011

This is harassment.

Follow your employer's grievance procedure.