my boss is a bitch - her boss is her best friend! Who do i complain to??

[samram]

OK so i have been in my new job for 6 weeks now. Today the phones were faulty so i advised my boss - 1st time no response (she sits next to me) 2nd time 'ok i'll have a look' (she gets up and wonders off - 3rd time was a passing comment - me saying oh these phone still wont work. At this point in front of my whole team to shouts at me 'I KNOW U'VE TOLD ME 3 TIMES!!!!'. I feel utterly humiliated. There are quite a few teenagers (18 or 19) who work there who speak to her like poo but i myself have made a point of always talking to her with respect. She hasn't apologised and i do not know what to do as her boss is apparently an old friend plus i'm still fairly new. I'm a grown women and cannot believe this is the way people get spoken to at this place. What do i do and shall i take this further?

Your right and it is the culture of this department but i cant let this go! I want to show her there are boundaries with me and she cannot talk to me in the same way as she does with the 'teenagers'

sorry but i think you are overreacting a bit

I'm not convinced complaining above her head is going to help you here. Is this an example of how she regularly speaks to you or is this the only time?

You say you want to 'show her there are boundaries with me', but have you actually tried to do that. Have you spoken to her about this yourself, rather than considering who else you should complain to? If not that's surely your first step if you want to establish an adult relationship. Ask for a quiet word, say that you did not appreciate how she spoke to you and ask politely whether in future if she has any problem with you at all, to please raise it with you but to do so without shouting and privately.

Not sure what the age of your colleagues has to do with it - there's no reason for her to treat you differently because you are older; she should be treating everyone appropriately.

Belcantwait - No. When somebody completely humiliates you in front of your collogues (to the point where everybody turns around to watch) in an unprofessional manner then no - i'm not overreacting and thanks your helpful input.

Flowerybeanbag - Yes i think it would be best to talk to her first but i suspect (and she is known) to just argue back.