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Original poster

Woman at work burst out laughing at me

250 replies

ConfusedNUpset · 27/02/2022 19:48

I do bank shifts for the NHS, therefore I’m not in one place, I move around so don’t really get to know anyone properly as such.
Yesterday I was on shift when the senior came into the clinic to borrow something. She asked how the day was going and I said “not too bad thank you”. That was all I said. Well she started sniggering looked like she was trying to hold it back and then burst out howling with laughter. I didn’t know what to do so I kind of laughed along and just said “what is it?” But she couldn’t talk, she had tears rolling down her face and was literally bent over screaming with laughter. I asked again what was funny and she just waved her hands at me as she couldn’t speak. Anyway I decided to just carry on with my work and she eventually scurried out of the room but I could still hear her laughing in the corridor.

So I was paranoid anyway. This morning another staff member came in for something and asked what I’d done to senior as she was hyperventilating when she got back to the office. I told her she’d just burst out laughing for no reason and she said that was unusual as she’s a miserable sod normally.

Now I’m ultra paranoid. I’m due back there tomorrow but I’m so self conscious now and feel like I can’t say anything as she’s senior (as in two bands higher than me).

Any suggestions as what she might have been laughing at?? Could it be that she remembered something funny and I just happened to be there? DH keeps telling me to forget about it but it’s really playing on my mind.

Name changed as ultra outing!

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 27/02/2022 21:25

She sounds barking mad. Just keep out of her way of request to work in a different department.

Viviennemary · 27/02/2022 21:26

Or

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 27/02/2022 21:27

Right but she didn’t do that @Sunsetzs…yet your original post seemed to be slightly in defence of her?

I’ve maybe misread what you were getting at though, sorry

Bytrgrewd · 27/02/2022 21:27

Just watched the Bill Bailey clip - definitely could be that 🤣

WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 27/02/2022 21:28

People miss hear each other or respond differently than the other person expected all the time. We all make social faux pas. Howling with laugher at someone and then not even explaining what was so funny is inexcusably rude.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 27/02/2022 21:28

She sounds like a total head fuck. If I were you I'd completely ignore her and act as if nothing has happened.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 27/02/2022 21:28

Oh, bollocks is it not rude. She was laughing at OP, after all, not with her. That's fucking rude. If it's one of those very, very, rare things whereby something strikes you as hilariously funny and you just can't stop yourself, you've got a responsibility to then find the person once you've pulled yourself the fuck together, apologize, and explain yourself as best as you're able

But why would you do that if you didn't realise they'd misheard you in the first place

Did you miss the part of the OP where she asked her TWICE what was so funny? Of course it was rude behaviour to laugh like that at someone and then wave them off when they ask what's so funny

Sunsetzs · 27/02/2022 21:29

I think she should've explained herself either way! It's bloody rude not to explain whether the OP had misheard something innocuous, or something just tickled her for no reason.

I'm not actually disagreeing with you, of course she should explain. All I've done is explain that sometimes laughter strikes unexpectedly and can't be controlled. When it's one of those laughs, in fact, often trying to stop the laughter just causes more laughter.

RaininSummer · 27/02/2022 21:29

Your response was perfectly normal. She sounds utterly crazy.

WorraLiberty · 27/02/2022 21:29

You can prevent yourself bursting into fits of laughter bent over if it’s totally inappropriate…like you can control most bodily functions!

Some people are unable to control bodily functions though aren't they? I mean some people often piss themselves or fart in circumstances they'd really rather not.

But aside from that, if this woman has literally (according to the OP) laughed herself into a state of hyperventilation, I don't think she did that on purpose, do you?

I mean it's very dangerous for a start...

Sunsetzs · 27/02/2022 21:30

Right but she didn’t do that @Sunsetzs…yet your original post seemed to be slightly in defence of her?

No, I'm defending the laughter, e.g. maybe she couldn't control it. I'm not defending her not explaining.

patchysmum · 27/02/2022 21:30

maybe she had had the worse day ever, thinking, a child, multiple people dying some think like that and it just ticked her that yours was "not too bad" sometimes people can have extreme reactions to stress

LetHimHaveIt · 27/02/2022 21:32

'When it's one of those laughs, in fact, often trying to stop the laughter just causes more laughter.'

Well, that is true. Fair enough.

patchysmum · 27/02/2022 21:32

meant to say tickled

Tiffbiff · 27/02/2022 21:32

Do you think she wanted a run down of the day as oppose to how your personal day was going?

I.e how’s the day going- well X in room 3 has had this and xlX in room 4 has just had blah blah blah as opposed to asking you how you were?

It would still be a really weird reaction from her though…

AngelinaFibres · 27/02/2022 21:38

@Sunsetzs

She should come to explain, but...

bit of a twat who can't control herself,

Have you never laughed and not been able to hold it in/stop? It's the same as crying, sometimes you cannot control it.

Not in front of someone I didn't know who was new at a place where I am an established and senior member of staff. Its nasty.It is always going to put the recipient on the back foot.
CousinQuandary · 27/02/2022 21:39

I really think the Bill Bailey clip could be the answer. If she’d recently seen that, it could easily set her off and it’d be too difficult to explain at the time, especially if she was crying with laughter. But she should have emailed to apologise afterwards.

IsabelHerna · 27/02/2022 21:40

Oh I'm sorry OP, something like this would drive my nuts trying to figure it out as I've got adhd and compulsive disorder so I would focus on that too. But in this case I think it's something about her x

Kumbaya12 · 27/02/2022 21:45

Probably off her meds I wouldn't worry too much.

AngelinaFibres · 27/02/2022 21:48

@SavoyCabbage

Whoops... and more recently grateful that someone has turned up.

But every now and then you encounter a wanker who thinks they are superior to you because I'm not a 'real teacher'. Like I couldn't get a job if I wanted one and that's why I'm doing supply.

I once had a similar experience to you where he laughed hysterically because I asked where the photocopier was. Confused No, I don't know the layout of your little infant school! Why would I?

I did a weeks supply in a school just before Christmas 25 years ago. One lunchtime I was sitting BETWEEN 2 teachers who were discussing how madly busy they were. One of them leant right across me and said to the other "Get the supply to do it. She can have both classes". They both thought it was hilarious. At the time I was a single mum of 2 and I desperately needed the money, so I didn't say anything. It was so odd. I know how you felt Op. The thing you have to remember is that it says more about her than you. .
jytdtysrht · 27/02/2022 21:51

She’s horrible. If you are not NT and you flout some social convention, it is not reasonable for the other person to laugh, especially how you described. You should try to forget it as it is very clearly her issue - unless you did a naked dance upside down whilst singing.

TakeSomeMoreTea · 27/02/2022 21:55

Well she started sniggering looked like she was trying to hold it back and then burst out howling with laughter. I didn’t know what to do so I kind of laughed along and just said “what is it?” But she couldn’t talk, she had tears rolling down her face and was literally bent over screaming with laughter. I asked again what was funny and she just waved her hands at me as she couldn’t speak. Anyway I decided to just carry on with my work and she eventually scurried out of the room but I could still hear her laughing in the corridor.

Absolute weirdo. I love my job and really like my colleagues but I can't remember ever nearly wetting myself at work and not telling a colleague why.

WingBingo · 27/02/2022 21:56

@Badnightguaranteed - made me think of that too!!

So, OP, have you had your eyebrows done recently by any chance?

that thread has since been deleted

Walkingalot · 27/02/2022 21:59

I'm partially deaf and I often mis hear things and say the most inappropriate things at the wrong time - and yes I'm laughed at. So, it could be that. Or maybe she'd been having the worst day and you saying breezily that your day was ok, tipped her over the edge.
If you see her again simply ask and do come back and let us know!

MichellefromEastenders · 27/02/2022 22:04

She had a vibrating love egg in and it was being remote controlled by her secret lover. It's the only rational explanation!