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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think that a female colleague is being seriously uppity to react poorly to this

19 replies

marieg76 · 20/04/2007 15:50

email:

"9 words women use

1.) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour.
Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say ?you're welcome?.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F@!K YOU!

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What 's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3. "

For the record, it was sent in jest to all colleagues for a bit of Friday afternoon fun.

OP posts:
UnquietDad · 20/04/2007 15:51

what was the reaction?

lisad123 · 20/04/2007 15:52

LOL

Made sense to me, maybe should send to my hubby. Hehehe, if it wasnt true I might be upset, but it so is!

Tinker · 20/04/2007 15:52

Where do you work? We'd get disciplined for even receiving these things

suzycreamcheese · 20/04/2007 15:53

we used to get tons of things like this at work...maybe just annoyed at volume of this work unrelated stereotypical nonsense in her inbox?

Cashncarry · 20/04/2007 15:54

I personally hate this type of jokey email but I do grit my teeth and pretend to laugh while pressing "delete" as if my life depended on it!

Maybe she was having a bad day and this email was the last straw?

On close inspection, this email does seem a tad misogynist and it's not actually very funny...

UnquietDad · 20/04/2007 15:54

come on, there are equal ones about men doing the rounds.

tigerschick · 20/04/2007 15:57

It depends what she's doing. I think it's funny but can also understand the points raised here.

marieg76 · 20/04/2007 15:57

I work in a really laid back place where even our directors send jokes around. Here's what she said:

"I am sure you meant this as a light-hearted joke on a Friday. However, I have to tell you that I was not happy to see this in my email. As a woman working in a male-dominated industry and at a male-dominated company it is sometimes difficult to be seen as an equal. Suggesting that my co-workers think about women in this way doesn't further the cause."

IMHO, it's better to actual act as an equal to be considered one rather than kicking off on immaterial things. However, I sent this back:

"I?m sorry that you?ve taken offense to this. It was indeed meant as a light-hearted joke and from what I understand; you are indeed considered an equal amongst your colleagues."

Miserable cow!

OP posts:
suzycreamcheese · 20/04/2007 15:57

....it was funny though when the many messages appealing for 'stolen' luxury food items from communual fridge to be returned was sent to all employees around our global company, about 8 offices worldwide, prompting senior US colleague to reply 'London office, alright already drop it....ha ha ha ha

casbie · 20/04/2007 16:00

this one is so true : just sent to my workmates!

Tigana · 20/04/2007 16:03

I don't like these sorts of emails personally - and for record am equally unamused whether they are about women or men.

If I kept receiving them I would probably say something, gently, about how they don't do much for me.

So if she has been inundated I can sort of understand. If it is a one off..well...maybe she's got PMT

Cashncarry · 20/04/2007 16:05

Unquiet dad - yes I hate the ones about men as well.

In fact, I hate all those emails - seeing them appear in my inbox winds me up.

I am - officially - a miserable cow

PS I do think her written response was hilarious and a little OTT. I prefer to bitch behind the person's back

Cashncarry · 20/04/2007 16:05

x posts with Tigana - great minds and all that...

marieg76 · 20/04/2007 16:05

Hi Tigana,

We have more technical questions going around than jokes - this is probably the first in a few weeks so it's not like she's inundated. I could appreciate it if she was inundated with sexist crap all day but that's not the case. Yes, we work in a male dominated environment but like I said earlier, you get treated as an equal by acting as an equal.

Anyway, guess I'll not send anymore "jokes"

OP posts:
noddyholder · 20/04/2007 16:07

The word uppity always makes me laugh.As for the thread it is the usual pc gone mad

Cashncarry · 20/04/2007 16:08

Take her off your email list and send an email to everyone else in the office with, tell them all to laugh uproarously and then when she asked why they're laughing say "I couldn't possibly risk offending you..."
(repeat as necessary).

Tigana · 20/04/2007 16:11

Do you know what. It's just one email, that she didn't find amusing. So yeah, just don't sned her nay more.

If she does feel they are inapprpropriate and sexist, be careful though, just having them being circulated 'around' her could be risky.

FWIW I suspect she is over-reacting but also FWIW behaving as an equal to a man doesn't always guarantee they will recognise your equality.

tigerschick · 20/04/2007 16:11

ROFL Cashncarry! I was going to suggest just taking her off your list and making the Friday joke a regular thing. There are loads to chose from on here. She may well regret being so picky after a while.

batters · 20/04/2007 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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