To think colleagues joke was NOT acceptable?

[LaurenkI]

My team has a meeting every Monday (virtual) and there’s always chat at the start about weekends etc. One of my colleagues said he’s worrying because his holiday plans for the year include already booked trips to Cyprus and Dubai. Another colleague then said ‘any chance you can book a trip to France next’ and he got a few laughs.

I have family in France, as does another colleague I’m aware of. Is it me or is this type of ‘joke’ really inappropriate given the current climate?

Well no it won't but it would be the perfect karma. I suspect the OP has no clue at how tiresome and time consuming such ridiculous emails and complaints are.

Christ, doing that would be ridiculously over the top, and absolutely would do the opposite to what you think it would do.

You must be a joy to work with!

Fired for making a joke?
You're being ridiculous.

For goodness sake! What a fuss about a joke, would you have been so annoyed if he said Glasgow or Manchester? You are on the way to being the colleague no one talks to.

I wouldn’t have been offended at that comment. But you obviously were.

I think it would be professional to speak with the person and let them know you didn’t find it funny and that, in the current circumstances, he would be wise to be more mindful of what might be seen as inappropriate.

i think it’s totally disproportionate to report it to your manager for action.

I’d like to be a fly on the wall at the next HR meeting. 🙄😂🤣

Get a grip

Not only that. He should be put on the sex offenders register, and have his house repossessed.

You’ve already emailed your manager and raised a grievance so what are you looking for with this post?

Racism? It’s nothing to do with race, being French isn’t a race. People of many different races live in France and/or consider themselves French. Did you mean xenophobic? I don’t think it passes the sniff test with xenophobia, had he said that he wished France would get bombed, that would be a different matter.

OP, I think it’s important that you know that this isn’t within the realms of normal workplace behaviour. Complaining to HR (again) will raise far more red flags about you than anyone else. I would personally focus my energy on looking at myself and my response to this situation rather than seeking out any kind of sanction for your colleague.

Oh nooo OP! He said something unguarded and he wants your family to die. What an absolute meanie. Precious people like you just don't deserve this sort of trauma.

I would bet that someone somewhere in France would say this about England if there was the same conversation going on there.

Bet you are a riot at parties.

I was talking to a colleague today who mentioned in passing that she’s going to Cyprus in May. I resisted the urge to say ‘are you sure?’ because it’s none of my business really. Equally, he should’ve kept his mouth shut. But I’d just assume he was a bit thick, rather than malicious.

You’re being hypersensitive - it’s not particularly funny but it’s not offensive.

I also think people make very good points asking the OP if she would have escalated this issue had the location used in the joke been anywhere but France - hugely pertinent. Because potential hypocrisy is not a good look.

I always find “educate yourself and #be kind” usually means “I WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO THINK AND SAY!!”🙄

Validation of her moral superiority.

clapping, validation, gosh aren’t you amazing op!! ?

If you've already reported it and expect HR to get involved what was the point in posting?

It’s a trend among young people online to hate France. Not sure why, my sons explained it to my recently.

This.
If I were you I'd hotfoot it in first thing and recall that email before your manager sees it.

This.

I wouldn't interpret that at all. I would interpret it as 'any chance you could choose a more straightforward destination so that you actually stand a chance of going on holiday'.