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Original poster

To think this is twatty behaviour?

120 replies

Theshittyendofthestick · 13/02/2018 19:45

I work in an office, mainly with women, mostly 10 to 15 years younger than me (I'm 46). They have given each other cutesy nicknames and hug each other every time one of them comes into the office. They speak to each other in ickle baby voices and keep reminding each other how wonderful and special they are. They tried to include me in it on one occasion but my face said 'fuck off' as clearly as any spoken word could have been. Am I being curmudgeonly? Or is this fucking ridiculous, infantalising bullshit? It's making me feel rather queasy Angry

OP posts:
Agerbilatemycardigan · 13/02/2018 21:07

No unicorns - but the Team Leader above ^^had Mrs Brown's Boys shite all over her desk and stuck up on the wall behind her. I could've handled unicorns..

blackchina · 13/02/2018 21:09

What a bunch of old miseries there are on here. Sad

I LOVE unicorns and fairies and sparkly things and glitter.

And I am over 40, and don't give a rat's tittie what anyone thinks of me!

Mwaaahh Wubz U all though! Grin

Seriously, after spending 20+ years working in stuffy environments with miserable, bitchy, catty hags who mock me coz my husband gets me a little teddy holding a heart saying 'I love you,' (for Valentine's day,) I would actually love to work in the OP's office.

I am CLEARLY in the minority! Confused

The bitchiness and mocking I have had over the years from female colleagues (when my husband gets me something cute or romantic,) is down to jealousy and bitterness though, coz their husbands and partners get them fuck-all. So I don't hold it against them; I just pity them, and think it's sad that they have so much spite and hate in their soul.

Gabilan · 13/02/2018 21:09

one client did mention something to the manager after a very unicorny member of the team asked him if he wanted to hug her special bear on his way out

I'd have claimed that was a euphemism and sued for sexual harassment at that point.

I don't think this is age related. At no stage have I been young enough to do this shit, not even in utero.

SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires · 13/02/2018 21:10

they're from the other MB Wink

Parsleyisntfood · 13/02/2018 21:10

When I was 18 I worked in a bookshop and after a period I was given the honour of working with Carol. She was someone I could learn a lot from. First day I’m dusting the shelves and she skipped in and round and round in circles because the Gruffulos Child had been delivered. She proceeded to read it very slowly out loud and in a baby voice. I remember thinking she must have dementia or be drunk! Very serious 18 year old me could not compute what was happening. Worst of all when any children came she turned into Ms Trunchbull and would never talk to them. She had favourite books and hated books. Not unusual, except she wouldn’t touch the bad books and I couldn’t touch the good books. I could never keep track of which were which.
Thankfully the company went out of business and it was entirely her fault.

HundredMilesAnHour · 13/02/2018 21:14

The bitchiness and mocking I have had over the years from female colleagues (when my husband gets me something cute or romantic,) is down to jealousy and bitterness though, coz their husbands and partners get them fuck-all.

Or maybe they think it's unprofessional in a business environment.

JuliannaBixby · 13/02/2018 21:14

@blackchina it's really not jealousy...

blueletter · 13/02/2018 21:14

Oh my fucking god what circle of hell do you work in OP? The cutesy voices would do my nut in. I can't stand it when people talk to children like that and I secretly imagine 3yos slapping them and demanding they talk to them like a human let alone grown women!

As to stuff on desks. I absolutely have no issue with a few personal trinkets on desks a work. If its glittery/cute/nonsense and doesn't impact on work.Crack on. Its when it gets in the way, goes OTT etc then its a problem. If you work in a stressful job that glittery unicorn mug can offer relief just by being something you love.

Back in my office desk days I didn't have a framed picture of the boyfreind/husband/partner at the time like the other ladies . I had chewbacca. I went OTT and bought the most diamanté frame too in pink Grin It helped deal with some of the rough days I went through because it was daft.

why is it cool not to age past about 17? I much prefer being an adult; I can't imagine not evolving my interests in 20 years

Adulting is OK but keeping a hold of some of the things you loved as a kid and enjoying 'play' as an adult be it pokemon or dressing up as harry potter just because doesn't mean people haven't grown up and don't have grown up interests. Spoiler I collect star wars toys love cosplay, love dungeons and dragons gaming nights but I also know how to behave in an office and how to adult.

ScreamingValenta · 13/02/2018 21:14

blackchina I think there's a significant gap between having a single teddy on your desk which was a family gift on a special occasion, and covering your desk with dozens of random unicorns Grin.

Bluelady · 13/02/2018 21:15

It sounds horrendous. But some of the suggestions have made me cry laughing, especially shredding the bear - go on, do it, I dare you!

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 13/02/2018 21:17

@blackchina do you own any items that state 'mermaid hair, don't care?'

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 13/02/2018 21:17

There's definitely some middle ground between being an old misery and pretending to be a toddler Blackchina although of course it's fine to have a Valentine's bear on your desk.

Just don't ask any colleagues to stroke your special bear in a funny voice.

Moussemoose · 13/02/2018 21:20

Yeah I'm jealous cos I can't hug the bear.

Good god.

Original poster
Theshittyendofthestick · 13/02/2018 21:24
This is how I picture the bear when he's left alone
OP posts:
Viviennemary · 13/02/2018 21:26

They sound like idiots. Look for a different job.

Phineyj · 13/02/2018 21:27

What puddles said.

I worked in a ridiculous place for a while (not this kind of ridiculous, but pretty bad in its own way) and my Dad suggested I wrote detailed notes for a sitcom. So I did and I wrote a novel based on it. I haven't tried seriously to publish it (I'm afraid someone might recognise themselves and sue me) but my goodness it was cathartic!

I think it would be amusing to stay late one night and hang a stuffed toy from a noose or leave a ransom note.

RainbowGlitterFairy · 13/02/2018 21:28

I'm 29, anyone talking to me like that would be given the fuck off look. I hate mock baby voices. I will occasionally tell a colleague they are awesome if they are having a rough day and look like they need to hear it but we generally communicate our love for each other with cups of tea and biscuits brought back from the staff room. I do love glitter and fairies and unicorns, however I am a grown up and know there's a time and place.

DD(9) by the way told the last person to use the mock baby voice at her to stop patronising her, so I don't think its an age thing.

TheAntiBoop · 13/02/2018 21:32

Talking in baby voices in a professional environment is the biggest problem - having a bear or two on the desk isn't the problem here

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 13/02/2018 21:32

Eugh in my old office one of the supervisors ran her team like this with nicknames and cutesy in jokes, she was a grandmother ffs

AnnieAnoniMouse · 13/02/2018 21:33

Don’t harm the Bear, it’s not his fault he’s not tucked up safe at home.

...put the daft twats through the shredder instead. Start with their heads, they’re empty so they’ll go through easily.

On a serious note, can’t you tell your Manager to sort them out before you have to get signed off with ‘stress’ ? That might galvanise them into action.

Tistheseason17 · 13/02/2018 21:36

Okay, silly voices aside... I am ready to be flamed....

I think it is wonderful that these women are being supportive and saying positive things to each other about how wonderful and special they are

Who knows what happens at home? This could be the only kindness they received so I'm all for it.

Would rather this than sly, nastiness, sideways looks, negative comments and general bitching in an office full of women who don't care and support each other.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 13/02/2018 21:37

Love Misery Bear Grin An office is not the place for a bear. We hate being there. Why force that on a bear.

Wdigin2this · 13/02/2018 21:42

I thought you got over unicorns at about 10 years of age!!
What I can't stand, is this mutual admiration society type of thing, that seems to be going on amongst young women these days....Oh, your is gorgeous today. Oh, so is yours, and I love that top. Do you, I got it from ***, but you skirt is divine.....ad nauseum!

WishingOnABar · 13/02/2018 21:42

Looks like Misery bear gets his sandwiches from the same place as me 😂

pinkhorse · 13/02/2018 21:47

Some of the women in my office are like this and even tell people in other departments that they love them down the phone!

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