As I put on my shirt, yesterday’s joke comes back to me.
While getting ready for work, I remember the rude joke I heard yesterday and quietly try out a few ways to respond today.
Scenes
- Yesterday’s words come back to me. — As I put on my work shirt, I remember my coworker’s rude joke from yesterday. I quietly rehearse what I’ll say if I see them today.
- The joke stays with me. — Even if you laughed it off then, your coworker’s words don’t simply disappear. You find yourself planning a response in case you hear them again today.
- Name the behavior, not the person — A boundary asks someone to stop a behavior instead of judging them. That keeps the disagreement from growing into something bigger.
- Keep your request brief — If a similar joke comes up today, you can say, “Please don’t make jokes like that.” A short request is enough.
- Check in after setting a boundary — The jokes may continue even after you speak up once. Then, note specifically what was said and how often, to help you consider what to do next.
Stories by Baekho
- Baekho
- Starting over at the bank counter
- I went to the celebration, but why did it take me so long to give my team credit?
- It’s true, but on my way home, I keep rephrasing it.
- Even grocery shopping makes everything I need to do today feel urgent.
- Every Sunday night, I rewrite what I’m looking for.
- I open the handover file before bed.
- At a red light, I think of what I’m good at in my work.
- The day before an important meeting, I swallow my words again.