Weird present from a colleague

[southernharp]

I was left a Christmas present by a colleague today. She didn't give it to me herself, rather got someone else to drop it in and leave it for me. I haven't worked with her long and she doesn't work everyday. Actually I hardly know her. I do know that she moves in a social circle of people I have known for some time and who don't like me at all.

So the present was a self help book called leadership and self deception - getting out of the box. The gist of it seems to be that problems you might have with relationships are likely to be founded in your own attitude and the way you treat people. Now my year has been shit, with my ex having an affair, my marriage breaking down, quite a few work issues, my much loved boss leaving after nine years - basically lots of relationship issues. I am somewhat confounded by this. Shall I return the book?shall I bin it?

Wow. That's interesting Lino.. actually I think she doesn't know this is anything to do with the Mormon Church. I might have to enlighten her.

Maybe she has joined recently? Or maybe she hasn't but she thinks it's a good book. (I've not read it but from what I have seen it looks like garbage.)

Wow. There is a note in it. It says that she is sure I will find it helpful and she hopes that people in my new job will welcome me like I have welcomed her.

Maybe she's taking the piss, or maybe you were friendly to her, it didn't stick in your mind but it stuck in hers.

More likely she wants to convert you.

I would find a book dealing with passive aggressive people, wrap it and post it to her

Or maybe she's just not all there.

Kindness?

Her note is obviously sarcastic! Is there history between you op?

I’d be fuming if I was you tbh.

There are several excellent books on passive aggressive behaviour available on Amazon.

Alternatively a book on kindness might make the point nicely.

Cut the middle out all the pages, have a shit in it and leave it on her desk to come back to in the new year

Failing that, bin it, think no more of it, and concentrate on enjoying your new job.

Whatever her motive may have been, why not have a look at the book just in case there is anything in it that interests you.

(Were you welcoming to her, btw?)

Come on, what is the dynamic between you and her?

Why not thank her kindly for her effort and leave if there? if she wants to get a rise of you, she fails. If she meant it kindly, that's ok too.

Maybe it helped her, and she is aware that some of your relationships have been tricky.

People often see in others problems which they themselves have- she may have done this.

She’s totally taking the piss!

I’d send her a copy of the Karma Sutra back & tell her her religious nonsense has inspired you to take up a missionary position

There isn't really a dynamic. We are both teachers, but I have pretty much had my head down in my classroom recently. My son is in the class where she has been relieving and he has been quite upset by her, but I have not risen to it and have said to him that he needs to slip under her radar. She is not nice to the kids in the class st all, but I have been stepping back and letting the principal get on with his job. However, I do know that the book was dropped off on her behalf before I arrived on my last day by someone she is pally with who hates me. Maybe it is meant kindly- she is definitely not religious though. I know that for sure. We have had a conversation about religion.

I don't believe it was kind.... she was being sarcastic IMO.

Crazy woman she is.

Id be tempted to wrap a copy of this and send it 😁 ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0470740841/ref=cmswwrcppapi_NTToAbZDV2M2M

Seriously, I would just bin it and move on. It was a sly, cowardly thing to do and she didn't even have the guts to deliver it herself. People like her are not worth a second thought.

100% sarcastic, without a doubt.

So basically, your son is in a class she was covering, she's been pulled up by the principal for not being nice to the children? She thinks your son told you and you told the principal.

Thank her for the book and give her one on basic arithmetic.

2+2=4. Not 5. Not 126.

^^ that.

Could person who hates you have swapped the present? Is she/he jealous of your friendship?

You should return it with a note saying "I think that you accidentally left this book that you bought for yourself on my desk. Seems like a great read, I'm sure that it will really help you. Have a great Christmas x"

I would do nothing and I'd leave the book in the staffroom when you go home.

Good luck with the new job.

If I were you, I'd accidentally forget to take it home..

is your son still going to be in her class after the break?

If yes - just dump the book, have a drink and laugh (in private) at her desperation.
If no - complain to the head about her fuckwittery. If she's a short-term cover, then she may never be back, and you may decide to help out with putting a nail in that coffin.

Sounds like the only shelf this book needs to go on is up her bum on the left hand side!

It's actually quite a good book op and nothing to do with Mormonism, if I'm thinking of the right one!