12 years of the same 'joke' and I have the rage! AIBU

[Hotflushesandchilblains]

I have worked in the same place for 12 years, with mostly women and a few men. One of those, A, is giving me the rage big time and I cant figure out why I am so annoyed by this stupid so-called 'joke'. Most people live in the county we cover, but I live in the next one over. Since I have met him, A regularly makes the same joke about me not having electricity, running water, etc etc - you get the picture, that we are backward where I live. Just recently its making me want to punch him. I have told him its not amusing any more (not that it ever was). He is a bit of a 'character' anyway - very attention seeking and the kind who wants to be cracking jokes all the time. I think I am generally annoyed with him lately because there is a big project going on at work which I have done much of the set up for, and which he is trying to muscle in on. But I seem to be able to keep my feelings under wraps until he trots out this stupid joke. Is it as obnoxious as it feels?

Have you shown a prejudice by assuming it's Wales being characterised in this way?! She said "county"??

Normal for Norfolk

I’d just tell him to stfu but I can be quite blunt when I’m pissed off.

Each to his own. I like a West Country accent. It is strange how one's mind works because I am influenced in this by a character, a girl in the first great English novel, Tom Jones. I was quite taken by her when I first read that book, many years ago.

I'd say this can be classed as bullying not racism. Needs to be held to account and stopped in his tracks. Formalize it in writing/email so he see's you mean business. If he persists escalate it, you will have an email trail. All the best, sounds awful, you dont need this! 🙏

I'd say something like "The 1970s have been on the phone wanting their joke back. Be careful it'll be HR next time"

Xenophobia is a fear or hatred of someone perceived to be different, racism is predjudice/ discrimination or antagonism by an individual community against an individual on the basis of their ethic group.

The equality act defines race as nationality, colour or ethnicity. You could be directly racist to someone ethnically Jewish, for instance, even if they identified as not religious (this could also be indirect religious discrimination).

There are absolutely some counties in the UK where derogatory comments would be considered racist under UK law at least.

report to hr in writing every time he makes said unfunny!

wales is a country

yorkshire however would be a county

Yes..I'm not thick

This is bullying and you shouldn't have to be subjected to it. On the local English village Facebook page I'm on, someone is constantly posting "jokes" about the Irish. My family are Irish and I find it to be extremely offensive but it always gets lots of laughs and likes. I can't believe that it passes Admin as OK to publish.

Is it county or country. The former will be a joke, the latter perhaps not so

I am so sorry - I hope you can get some support. I would expect contractors to be treated as well as anyone else.

Sorry, that's hilarious 😂.

I'd find it funny but always have a comeback or eye roll.

Just to confirm I've come back from the psych ward via Specsavers and yes I did misread County. But county based 'racism' is clearly a thing?! 🙃🤣🤣

you do realise to be racism it would have to be related to race. You mean discrimination. This is blatant and offensive, I would make a complaint to HR.

Email him so you have it documented saying you find his 'joke/banter' increasingly insulting & request that he stops. Mention that if you have to work together you don't wan there to be any awkwardness hence the reason you're mentioning it now.

Yes, I agree, however, it's been 12 years. I would have got the sack for gobbing him by now!

I bet it's Essex/Suffolk. He sounds tedious, I agree you shouldn't have to put up with that after 12 years!

So now you are stalking me across threads? The constitution of my work week is nothing to do with you but plenty of people do a variety of jobs during their week and interact with different people.

You clearly have an issue - as I told you on the other thread, I am not going to interact with you and have reported you.