Being both a tease and a glutton for punishment, I vowed to tweak this emotionally fragile hyper-liberal whenever the opportunity arose.
Posted on 01/03/2012 11:08:12 AM PST by EricTheRed_VocalMinority
Boy, did I step in it today.
Late this past fall, during a workplace interaction that turned briefly to politics -- the conservation, if I recall correctly, was sparked by of the GOP debates the previous night -- it was made apparent that I was the conservative/Republican in the room. This revelation did not please one of my co-workers, a presumably pleasant, professional, and mild-mannered lady in her mid-to-late fifties. Not the first time experiencing such unpleasantness, I watched this person transform before my very eyes into a bitter, enraged, wild-eyed, finger-waving, aging hippie.
Being both a tease and a glutton for punishment, I vowed to tweak this emotionally fragile hyper-liberal whenever the opportunity arose.
Such an opportunity arose this morning: I jokingly asked this co-worker if she was going to watch the Iowa caucuses tonight. That was enough to set her off on a tirade enumerating everything wrong and/or evil that several GOP candidates have done. (Did Rick Santorum actually say he would repeal the Civil Rights Act? That's what she told me but I can't seem to find it on the web. Hmmm.)
But here's the kicker: Trying to civilly end the debate, I told her that even though we disagree on politics, "I love ya anyway."
And she smugly refused to return the sentiment!
When I called her on it, she said she couldn't like someone whose positions and whose candidates would "destroy the country."
Citing her hero Obama as exhibit A, I suggested that the two of us had different ideas on what constitutes "destroying the country," but followed up by saying, "I guess I'm the one showing tolerance and acceptance because I still like you even though we disagree."
Again, she let me know in no uncertain terms that, my feelings toward her notwithstanding, she did not like me.
A Reform-ish Jew living in this blue Northeast area of NJ/NY/PA, etc., I've known plenty of people whom I've disagreed politically. But this is the first time I can remember someone actually saying they don't like me once she found out my politics.
Luckily, I only see this person once a week. How should I interact with her from now on? Am I wrong to have taken this so personally?
Go put a “I Love Palin” bumper sticker on her car.
Dittos that. I speak from painful experience. You will find yourself in the HR department defending yourself against a title 9 complaint or some such other thing she could pull out of her rear. Be careful-I had a coworker that decided she “didn’t like me” too. She started documenting “perceived” statements, innuendos, comments, etc. The HR official had 4 legal sized pages, front and back of things this chick had documented about me. In the end, after a 6-8 month “investigation” the charges were found to be “unfounded”. It is an experience I will not soon forget.
Seriously, I would not ‘ tweak ‘ this person any more. You are asking for trouble and a liberal co-worker will give it to you.
If you must interact with her try to have another person with you. If she claims you said something you didn’t the third person can back you up.
A liberal co-wroker will lie about you, your job performance, say anything that will ensure others hate you as much as they do. While they can not debate and win they will surely try to undermine you at work.
In my line of work many of my buyers and people I buy from are hard core liberals. I listen to everything they say and the amount of hatred and ignorance is mind boggling. But I just nod and say “ yes, I see...well, you now I am not terribly interested in politics “
If these people ever knew I was a Conservative they’d never have anything to do with me. I’d be finished.
Thanks for the advice, especially the legal and HR-related type. - ETR
Feign concern and ask if she’s feeling well... look very concerned, and keep repeating from time to time that you are worried about her because she looks ‘tired’ or ‘not well’...
You would be surprised how this can make someone run down, tired and even sick.
Look for her to file a complaint with the company’s HR department because your very existence constitutes a hostile work environment if she’s in the same building as you.
I'd tell the HR Department that this woman demonstrated extreme hostility toward you, that you felt threatened by her behavior, and that you were considering filing a Hostile Workplace lawsuit against the company if it happens again.
She'd do it for you...
call her a racist jew hating nazi.... see what that does.
Yep. People who are looking for the Nazis in Argentina or secret Antarctic bases are wasting their time - they're all in California, passing as liberals.
“How should I interact with her from now on?”
View this individual as the enemy that she is and avoid encountering her or interacting with her at all costs.
“How should I interact with her from now on? Am I wrong to have taken this so personally?”
Send her flowers and make sure you call her “babe”.
Contact your HR dept.
You need advice from them concerning anti-semitism in the workplace.
Tell them you’re not ready to file a complaint against this person; but have contacted the ADL legal dept.
Make sure it goes in YOUR file.
Then put a Gadsden flag sticker on her car.
Comeuppmanship is more empowering than appeasement, and a thing of admiration if subtly and artfully done. I would let the dish grow cold.
If you never considered her a close friend, screw her...she is stupid and ignorant based on what she thinks republicans are. I’d snub her every chance I got and if I had to interact with her, it would be smarmy as hell unless she’s your boss....then I don’t have an answer for you...:O)
You are the problem, my dear. Leave this poor, stupid old cow alone.
Also, the kind of libs like this woman seems to be can take things VERY personally and would not think twice of making false accusations to harm your career.
I would leave out the lawsuit part, but I would think a nice, calmly-worded email to HR (bcc to your personal email address) stating that this woman displayed extreme hostility toward you, to the point where you were concerned she might make up stuff to accuse you of, might be prudent insurance against trouble later. The bcc to your personal email would be your evidence that you did notify HR of this unhinged woman.
I would recommend you send it first thing in the morning.
Lawyer up. No kidding.
I agree completely and start documenting all meetings 3especially all of the participants if possible. From very bitter experience I can say that certain personalities are poisonously dangerous.
As the Fable goes: Why did the Scorpion sting the frog in the middle of the river crossing, even knowing that doing so would kill it as well as the frog? The Answer: It was the scorpion’s nature to do so.
I despise all libs and anyone who votes for them. I will not tolerate enemies of freedom. Period.
Annoy a Liberal:
Work hard and be happy!
I get more positive comments on that sticker.
Seriously though, notify HR before she does and document everything regarding her from now on.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.