Co-workers making offensive comments...

[ChrisnSteph]

Person 3: You don't want to take a laxative, you'll end up with mud butt.

Seriously though, I can't believe you reported them to a supervisor. That seems a bit much.

 

[SpecialK]

While this isnt something that I would report to a supervisor, I would say something to that person. but I still think its inappropriate.. I wouldnt say OP was eavesdropping either.. To me eavesdropping is purposely listening to someones conversation without them knowing it.. OP was just able to hear it from their office- not like they were sitting there trying to hear it.. In past I have heard all kinds of things by others at work, that doesnt mean I want to hear that crap, nor does it make it appropriate..

I agree. I'm tired of living in a world where people show no discretion, where any topic of conversation is fair game, where bodily functions are openly discussed and where the idea of polite conversation that considers the feelings of others so as not to offend those around you is the object of disdain and derision.

 

[denisenh]

I don't really think the conversation was particularly offensive but if you did, then just let them know that their words can be overheard and could offend passersby.

I agree with that.
I am a fairly "meek" person and careful of what I say and I do think that mud butt is kind of gross and unprofessional. It is a shame that this type of conversation and terminology has become usual rather than the exception.

Several people have commented on the eavesdropping aspect and I have to disagree. Several years ago we had sexual harassment training at work and we were told that if we tell a "dirty" joke and it's overheard and offends someone, the eavesdropper could file a SH suit against us. Just something to keep in mind.

One can file a suit against practically anyone for practically anything. Sounds like a statement made mostly to put a scare into the employees. (I am not saying that that is a bad thing.)

 

[nwdisgal]

It's a damn good thing you don't work in my office! We've had conversations about farts, snot, poop, periods, etc.

Oh, and it's a law firm.

 

[MrsNick]

So someone finds a phrase offensive then proceeds to post that phrase on a family message board? You can't make this stuff up!

 

[Free4Life11]

You were inside your office, they were having a private conversation. I understand that you could overhear them but.....it was THEIR conversation.

There's no such thing as a private conversation in this day and age. Just about the only "private" place left is your home. I'd hardly consider the workplace a private environment. It may have been their conversation but that doesn't mean it was appropriate for this workplace.

Now what if they were having a "private conversation" and used racial slurs or said they were stealing stuff?

 

[mommaU4]

Several years ago we had sexual harassment training at work and we were told that if we tell a "dirty" joke and it's overheard and offends someone, the eavesdropper could file a SH suit against us. Just something to keep in mind.

This reminds me of some of the stuff my DH would tell me they talked about in the Surgery dept where he used to work. Very R rated and even some X rated jokes flying around, most from the doctors mouths right before surgery. No one seemed to mind so it was no big deal. I am a SAHM but one of the things I miss most is gossiping with my co-workers about juicy, nasty, funny, crazy things.

 

[nwdisgal]

I think a lot of it even depends on corporate policy. I walked into an office the other day, and a guy had a poster on the wall that would of been banned in my old job. My advice to OP, if something offends you, I would talk to the person or people directly. Alot of times, people don't realize their voices are carrying or projecting over walls.

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

I can't believe you said the phrase "mudbutt" to your boss to tattle on them!

 

[Missy1961]

I understand why you were offended. I do think it would have been better to go to them, let them know that others can hear them and maybe they shouldn't be talking like that. If they continued, then you could speak to the supervisor.

I have to admit it wouldn't have bothered me.

 

[Michie]

I have a couple of female agents, when they are all in the building together you should hear them I do remind them, that not everybody wants to hear about their hemmroids, hot flashes etc. And I sure in the heck don't want any of our clients to hear them.

Then one of my other agents, he is a real sweetheart I think I am the only female in our area that he hasn't been married to or paying alimony/child support to Anyway, we thought the front door was locked, no, not what you are thinking anyway, we were talking about womens underwear, guess the front door wasn't locked, because the Methodist minister tapped on my door and said he hated to interupt a revealing conversation.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

You actually reported them for this? Seriously?

Really!!!??? You wouldn't make it an hour at my office!!! We talk about everything and anything!! If you don't like it ... don't listen!!

By tattling you just made yourself three enemies (or more) ... and for what??? To make yourself look "better" than persons 1, 2 and 3?? Don't be surprised when your co-workers walk away when they see you coming!! Nobody likes a tattle tale!!

 

[Marseeya]

My husband got suspended from work for saying something really stupid. He's in IT and one of the computers needed a complete overhaul, so he told his co-workers that it needed everything -- tummy tuck, cosmetic surgery, etc. The woman who turned him in for it just happened to get laid off the day she turned him in (weeks after the incident happened), so she didn't have an agenda, now did she? She turned him in for sexual harrassment, which is a nightmare no innocent man should ever have to go through. That was a good $1500 we lost (we, because he's the sole breadwinner) and peace of mind we'll never get back.

Yet this same woman, upon getting hired, informed every male coworker that she'd been a Victoria's Secret model. What possible motive could she have had for that little tidbit of information?

 

[smilie]

My supervisor just got back from a couple days of extra training. According to our company, if he calls me "Girl", that's sexual harassment and he can get fired. How ridiculous is that?!?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

My husband got suspended from work for saying something really stupid. He's in IT and one of the computers needed a complete overhaul, so he told his co-workers that it needed everything -- tummy tuck, cosmetic surgery, etc. The woman who turned him in for it just happened to get laid off the day she turned him in (weeks after the incident happened), so she didn't have an agenda, now did she? She turned him in for sexual harrassment, which is a nightmare no innocent man should ever have to go through. That was a good $1500 we lost (we, because he's the sole breadwinner) and peace of mind we'll never get back.

Yet this same woman, upon getting hired, informed every male coworker that she'd been a Victoria's Secret model. What possible motive could she have had for that little tidbit of information?

Yikes! Your poor husband!!!!

 

[aprilgail2]

I can't believe you would rat on your co workers for something like that. Where I work things 10 times worse than that fly around.....rat on someone there and you are just begging for a blanket party!!

 

[Marseeya]

Yikes! Your poor husband!!!!

It was really eye opening for him, that's for sure. He was fortunate that he had kept a good paper trail on this woman (as far as her performance went) and he had always behaved in a professional manner before that. Even when he and his coworkers would go out to a bar after work, they'd be telling off color jokes and he'd just chuckle, never saying any himself.

I just think it's so wrong that a company can suspend someone without pay based on an allegation. Even when they found her accusations totally unfounded, they never paid him for his missed time.

 

[Marseeya]

I can't believe you would rat on your co workers for something like that. Where I work things 10 times worse than that fly around.....rat on someone there and you are just begging for a blanket party!!

I've gotta ask -- what's a blanket party???

 

[sweet angel]

I was wondering too, but hoping someone else would ask!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

While I have never heard "mud butt" before in the office, I have heard a lot of other colorful things. Heck, most of them I have said myself.

And a blanket party is when you throw a blanket over someone and hit them.