Chauvinistic co-worker

[soccerdad72]

As I'm sitting here working, I overheard one of my co-workers talking to a mailroom person. The mail clerk was trying to locate a person on our floor and I heard co-worker ask him, "Oh, is that the cute gal down the hall?"

Normally, I don't comment on anything people talk about around me, but I couldn't help but say something on that one. I asked him if we suddenly went back to 1950 or something. He had no idea that it was even remotely offensive to refer to a colleague as a "cute gal".

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Maybe I'm shallow, but I don't find it offensive. I guess I could see inappropriate, but I'm not that sensitive.

 

[verleniahall]

I don't think that that is being chauvinistic, - maybe he has a crush and it kinda popped out?? I agree that it might be considred inappropriate, but not chauvinistic

 

[JanaDee]

Not a big deal. There are many other worse ways he could have referred to her.

 

[Jennasis]

Not chauvinistic. Not offensive.

A chauvinist is one who believes their gender is superior. Indicating the girl was "cute" does not fulfill that...in fact, it may indicate that SHE is superior to him.

"is that the dumb blond/useless dame?" Would be.

 

[undertheradar]

I believe that the offender should be walked down to HR and be immediately assigned to workplace ethics training. Upon completion of said training, this employee should be assigned a job coach who monitors all of the employee's work activities.

 

[soccerdad72]

I don't think that that is being chauvinistic, - maybe he has a crush and it kinda popped out?? I agree that it might be considred inappropriate, but not chauvinistic

Co-worker is in his 50's and the girl he was referring to is around 22 or 23.

I do agree that there is a lot worse things he could have said. For some reason today, it just struck me the wrong way. And no, I'm certainly not running off to HR with it or anything.

 

[verleniahall]

Ok - The Age thing makes it a little creepy (in my head, I saw you know, the pippled guy with a crush on the girl say something)

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Co-worker is in his 50's and the girl he was referring to is around 22 or 23.

I do agree that there is a lot worse things he could have said. For some reason today, it just struck me the wrong way. And no, I'm certainly not running off to HR with it or anything.

Soooo...It would be okay if he's in his 20's?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Ok - The Age thing makes it a little creepy (in my head, I saw you know, the pippled guy with a crush on the girl say something)

He said "cute gal" not, "oh that smokin' hot jailbait down the hall?".

 

[soccerdad72]

Soooo...It would be okay if he's in his 20's?

No, just explaining why I don't think it's a "crush", as suggested.

 

[verleniahall]

LOL! Do you think he meant "cute" as in "oh, that nice girl who works in X"? I know my grandpa told one of the cashiers that she was cute and she was like um thanks....and said well, cute means your are nice. She was like oh!

 

[Christine]

So, OP, basically you are bothered by his reference to her attractiveness? I guess I see where you're coming from but that stuff doesn't hit me one way or another. Sometimes people do go on appearances just to try to figure out who someone is. I'm sure when someone asked me if I've ever met John Doe from down the hall, I might say "oh, is he that older, kind of balding guy."

 

[MickeySP]

I believe that the offender should be walked down to HR and be immediately assigned to workplace ethics training. Upon completion of said training, this employee should be assigned a job coach who monitors all of the employee's work activities.

Too good for the offender - summary execution by his desk!!!

I wish I had a dime everytime some old dude called me "Honey" Not a hill to die on. Oh is old dude wrong too.

 

[Disneylover99]

Co-worker is in his 50's and the girl he was referring to is around 22 or 23.

That sounds like something my dad would have said at any age about a woman in her 20's.

I wish someone at work would refer to me as a "cute gal."

 

[BrianL]

My fiends make fun of me because I use the term "gal" sometimes (not usually in the workplace mind you). They act like I'm from the 1950's!

 

[kmb584]

Regardless of his age, I don't find that comment offensive at all.

 

[mamamary]

It wouldn't have bothered me at all.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

In the context of the story I agree that it was inappropriate. My last boss made remarks like this and many far worse as well and considered it terribly inappropriate. It bothered me because he would call a man by his name or refer to them as "sir" or "young man" etc. women however were never called by their names and referenced as chickey poo, gal, etc.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I don't get it.