Holding back the tears!

[RedSonja]

I do some voluntary work and today was accused of being very rude by a paid member of staff as I had interupted her meeting to ask her for something she had.

I felt that I had not been rude e.g. had knocked on door, apologised for interupting, asked politely etc. I felt that her accusation was based on a misunderstanding.

However instead of saying this in a calm rational grown up fashion I just had to mumble an apology and rush off to the loo as I was on the verge of bursting into tears.

This i.e. tears has happened in several work type situations and I find it very embarrasing. Has anyone got any tips on how to avoid blubbing at work.

You are voluntary, she is paid. Why not just cry!

Thanks HB .

But the wider question is that this kind of thing has happened to me in my paid employment. Maybe I'm just a rude wimp.

she sounds like a moo!

i love and cherish all my volunteers who have worked/work for me

they are more precious than paid staff IMO

anyway, i try to never cry at work - take a deep breath and count to 10

breathe deeply in and out and imagine the person being rude to you is sitting in their undies - this will make you not

Top tip Ruby. Will start practising tomorrow - hope work mates don't wonder why am sniggering like a loon.

Volunteers are more precious than gold (don't cry at that RedSonja).

I use a thing called 'visit it briefly' which works for all sorts of emotions. Accept your emotion, visit it briefly, and then move on. If you think of this when you feel like crying then you'll take your own mind off it and it'll be less likely to happen.

Have a tissue!