Colleague bringing scales to office - weighing others.

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I work in an office with around 20 other people. A colleague has started bringing in scales so that he and others can weigh themselves in front of others.

Everyone stands in a circle around the scales and watches while they take it in turns to weigh themselves.

So far I have managed to avoid being asked to weigh myself in front of the others, perhaps because I am overweight.

Management don't seem bothered and are even joining in with the weighing.

Not really sure why posting, just wanted to hear what others think.

Everyone seems to have a point at which a remark lights the blue touch paper. 'Offended' and 'triggered' seem to be the barriers erected against any comment that doesn't align with that person's view of the subject.
Get over it.
Nothing in the world could offend me. It's just someone else's view which they're entitled to have regardless of my take on it.
In the real world there are very thin and very fat people and every size in between. It's a fact that the plumper you are, the fewer lines are noticeable. Science tells the facts and many men do prefer women to look and feel womanly. Not androgenous, sans boobs and butt and without a decent covering of flesh.
I myself can see the difference if I lose weight. It shows in my face, thighs and butt if I go under 10-10lbs . My height is 5-6 and size 14 or M. To be so obsessed with weight as to take scales into work, is laughable. They're advocating being slim, rather than a weight which is comfortable and suited to the individual. Not a good idea for the workplace but then, call centres...nuff said.

@LoisLane66 I agree with the sentiment of what you said, it’s true. It shouldn’t be brought into work.

However, I don’t think we should ever justify weight with male preferences. Women have chopped and changed their bodies to be slimmer or curvier in order to cater to what they perceive as male desire, and sometimes risk their health to do so. Some men prefer thinner women, others curvier or larger. Studies actually indicate it’s not weight, but waist to hip ratio that increases attractiveness in women in straight males. Women as a whole shouldn’t change themselves to suit this, I think straight male preference is irrelevant.

Are they fat?

@Ruffpuff
I totally agree. Well said. 👏

And still you go on. How bloody dare you say I am not womanly because I am lean and small breasted. I am every bit as womanly as well ever other woman.

Who? The ones weighing themselves? I have already stated several times that not one of them is overweight, in fact most of them are very slim and/or petite.

@TheOrigRights
I dare because people like you don't understand that just because I hold that view, it doesn't stop you from having a different opinion.
If you're comfortable being lean with small breasts then fine. I'm not advocating that everyone should agree with me. The world would be a dull place indeed if we all had the same views. I can say that Katie Price looks XYZ and some would agree, others think it's fine. IMO skinny people's skin shows their age faster than plumper/fatter people. Fat isn't a bad word. We prefer plump chickens and the fat on bacon or roast pork. Fat keeps the person warm as well as filling out the skin. Start losing the fat and you're left with shrivelled skin.
I myself prefer to be around 11st. 14-16. Age tends to have the effect of reducing your fat levels so I have to walk more to keep the muscle from losing tone. Sometimes it's a losing battle.
Have a great weekend and forget about your size or womanliness. If you're happy then no-one else's view matters.

I work in eating disorders. This is super fucked up and you would be justified in raising a complaint. People don't go to work to have their bodies evaluated and god, women have enough of that shite to contend with without this kind of nonsense at work too.

If someone has always been lean, their skin fits their body. At 52 I have some lines obviously, but I absolutely do not have shrivelled skin. If I put on weight and then lost it I imagine I would.
I agree that what people find attractive differs, obviously, and whether an individual feels comfortable varies hugely as well. But you said larger women are more womanly, which I find rude. I understand you don't care what I, or anyone thinks of your opinion though.

it depends on the context. I don't see the harm but you don't say how they reacted when you refused to weigh yourself. Did you feel pressured at all? If so, then yeah this is a thing, but if not, no big deal and even might be good for team morale.

Unless there’s an expectation or pressure to join in leave them to it

I've worked places where similar weighing goes on. I always respond with 'I don't weigh myself as I've had issues with food in the past' which is true but not as dramatic as it might sound. However, gets folk off my back.

I think if its their choice and you're not being pressured to join in, it's up to them. I'm guessing they're all participating in some sort of slimming campaign and it's an accountability thing? Some of them did this at my work, didn't last long, the lure of the sandwich cart containing tasty treats was too much for most😅

She said they haven't even asked her

I have no idea why so many are insisting it's harmless when people with experience of eating disorders are telling them it is not harmless for some.

I agree. And I’d say it’s harmful for everyone. Even if you don’t take part. Even if you don’t have an eating disorder. Even if you are a healthy weight. Even if you aren’t a healthy weight. People weighing themselves at work is a damaging, unhealthy and inappropriate thing to do. Why don’t you just record the number of times you go to the loo, or some other random thing, instead? You can write it on a chart and the office can applaud you or berate you appropriately. If you want to get healthier, start a fitness group - and do it out of the office.

We do this where I work(a school). I’m a large girl, I choose not to, but an awful lot of others do. Nobody pressures anyone, you either do or don’t. Where’s the problem?

Read the thread.

This reminds me of the threads around what not to say to people with infertility. The people with infertility will ask a perfectly reasonable thing like 'don't point out I can adopt I already know' and you will always always get some posters popping up to justify why its okay they say that or why it shouldnt be a problem. Ultimately its the aame thing, there is a section of society who thinks its more important that they are able to do or say what they want than care about other peoples needs and feelings. It doesn't matter how sad, or heartfelt a story goes up, because to them 'I want to do/say it and you just need to put up with it even if it distresses you because I dont care that's your problem'

Its sad but it explains a lot about society in general.

How strange. Let them get on with it but refuse to take part if they ask you. Like others have said, it’s a workplace not a slimming club.

We did this in my old office. It was a myself and a group of colleagues as a couple wanted to lose weight. (We always had little gambles going on too... ie:what time someone random would come in that day, even who was going to walk through the door next, man or women etc) We agreed an amount to pay the person who lost the most weight and we never asked anyone else to weigh themselves but we bought scales between us and used them. We also used to try and sabotage each other by putting sweets in each others drawers or leaving the odd cake on desks. It was all in good fun and not serious at all and just between us 9 colleagues.

@SunshineGeorgie I sincerely hope you don’t ever love someone who has an eating disorder but I can tell you that it’s absolutely horrendous and of course life threatening. Many people never fully recover and something like weighs in at an office could absolutely trigger it.

I'm baffled at those who think it's ok - it really isn't- people who don't want to join in will feel pressured even if you don't see it. I also think it's quite ageist- a lot of older people are very aware they are overweight and sensitive about it and desparately trying to lose some in many cases..l I don't think some people understand subliminal pressure and what's unspoken!

@Vulvasaur I agree with you too- if I worked somewhere large enough to have an HR department I would report this. I'm not a killjoy but think it's super inappropriate at work.

I’d have no desire to join in but as long as there not trying to involve me
I’m adult enough to realise the entire workplace doesn’t revolve round me and I’d just let them crack on