The Drop in Centre

[Reader1810]

1 hour ago, Mikiesboy said:

Seems ol Deb stuck around until today.. geez   I was so cold last night i had to put socks on.. and today. lol

Socks, eh? That was me the first cold day. It was if a switch had been flipped to cold, and it’s still like that. No wide open windows overnight, though it’s seems like yesterday we needed the AC on…

Mind you, it does make for a more pleasant walk in the evening. 

Edited August 12 by Reader1810

[chris191070]

Happy Monday.

Hope everyone is keeping well x

[Mikiesboy]

4 hours ago, chris191070 said:

Happy Monday.

Hope everyone is keeping well x

Happy Monday to you, chris...and everyone else. I hope the beginning of the work week is easy for everyone.

[kbois]

15 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

I hope the beginning of the work week is easy for everyone.

 

So far it's been a dumpster fire of a morning... but fingers crossed it'll change. (I'm not holding my breath)

I hope everyone has a good day.

[chris191070]

17 minutes ago, kbois said:

So far it's been a dumpster fire of a morning... but fingers crossed it'll change. (I'm not holding my breath)

I hope everyone has a good day.

Hope your day gets better x

[CassieQ]

I might need an impartial take on something that is bothering me.  I hope it's okay to ask here.

We have this new guy at work.  I haven't talked to him much, he's quiet and keeps to himself.  Cool.

The very first day, I'm in the break room and he's there.  Trying to be friendly and welcoming, because the first day at a new job can be weird, I ask him how the morning was.

He's all "fine".  Trying to engage, I say "It can seem overwhelming at first" and get a very condescending "I've done this before.  None of it is really new to me."

Okie-dokie.  We get employees with this kind of attitude sometimes.  It's a little obnoxious but mostly harmless.  So I fix my salad and sit down at the table to eat.  Now granted, this room is not large, but this guy decides to stand next to me, not like in my space but kind of looming over me while doing whatever on his phone.  Without speaking.  It's a little awkward and uncomfortable but he's a tall guy and I'm an average sized woman who is sitting down.  So maybe it's just me.  But he just stands there, doing whatever on his phone and not talking for another few minutes before leaving. 

Then today he comes into the break room this morning while I'm putting my lunch in the fridge.  I say "Hello."  Nothing.

Rude, but whatever.  Then at lunch, I'm again in the break room and he is there, sitting at the table with his laptop, taking up more room than necessary.  I silently make my salad and sit down across from him, which is the only convenient spot where I don't have to move someone else's stuff.  He doesn't talk, I don't talk.  I'm on my phone, then I see movement and look up, right into his phone.  He had lifted it up past the top of his laptop with the camera pointing right at me.

I have never seen someone holding a phone that way when NOT taking a picture.  So maybe it was a selfie, but his face was blank and he kept it up for a couple minutes.  I was extremely uncomfortable, to the point where I tried to move a little bit.  He finally brought it back down.

It sounds benign writing it out, but the atmosphere and everything, it was very wrong.  And then he did it again.  Camera pointed right at me.  I was so freaked out at this point that I was starting to get angry, so I silently picked up my phone, and held it up with the camera pointing at him.

He put his back down and didn't do it again.  I finished eating as fast as I could, and booked it the hell out of there.  I went outside to write, and when I put my pen to the paper, I saw my hand was shaking.  

I get that sometimes I can misread people.  That happens to me a lot too.  I have this habit of intimidating people when I don't mean to.  And I don't want to brand this guy as a creepy when he might just be really socially awkward and unaware.  But I've never had someone put me on edge so easily before.

Am I hugely overreacting here?    

[Page Scrawler]

35 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

Am I hugely overreacting here?

I don't think so. You should err on the side of caution; it's better to be safe than sorry. 

[kbois]

44 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

I might need an impartial take on something that is bothering me.  I hope it's okay to ask here.

We have this new guy at work.  I haven't talked to him much, he's quiet and keeps to himself.  Cool.

The very first day, I'm in the break room and he's there.  Trying to be friendly and welcoming, because the first day at a new job can be weird, I ask him how the morning was.

He's all "fine".  Trying to engage, I say "It can seem overwhelming at first" and get a very condescending "I've done this before.  None of it is really new to me."

Okie-dokie.  We get employees with this kind of attitude sometimes.  It's a little obnoxious but mostly harmless.  So I fix my salad and sit down at the table to eat.  Now granted, this room is not large, but this guy decides to stand next to me, not like in my space but kind of looming over me while doing whatever on his phone.  Without speaking.  It's a little awkward and uncomfortable but he's a tall guy and I'm an average sized woman who is sitting down.  So maybe it's just me.  But he just stands there, doing whatever on his phone and not talking for another few minutes before leaving. 

Then today he comes into the break room this morning while I'm putting my lunch in the fridge.  I say "Hello."  Nothing.

Rude, but whatever.  Then at lunch, I'm again in the break room and he is there, sitting at the table with his laptop, taking up more room than necessary.  I silently make my salad and sit down across from him, which is the only convenient spot where I don't have to move someone else's stuff.  He doesn't talk, I don't talk.  I'm on my phone, then I see movement and look up, right into his phone.  He had lifted it up past the top of his laptop with the camera pointing right at me.

I have never seen someone holding a phone that way when NOT taking a picture.  So maybe it was a selfie, but his face was blank and he kept it up for a couple minutes.  I was extremely uncomfortable, to the point where I tried to move a little bit.  He finally brought it back down.

It sounds benign writing it out, but the atmosphere and everything, it was very wrong.  And then he did it again.  Camera pointed right at me.  I was so freaked out at this point that I was starting to get angry, so I silently picked up my phone, and held it up with the camera pointing at him.

He put his back down and didn't do it again.  I finished eating as fast as I could, and booked it the hell out of there.  I went outside to write, and when I put my pen to the paper, I saw my hand was shaking.  

I get that sometimes I can misread people.  That happens to me a lot too.  I have this habit of intimidating people when I don't mean to.  And I don't want to brand this guy as a creepy when he might just be really socially awkward and unaware.  But I've never had someone put me on edge so easily before.

Am I hugely overreacting here?    

Trust your instincts and if you have an HR department then report him, or your manager. At the very least they will investigate.  

If he is taking pictures of you without your permission it's harassment... plain and simple. He's also posturing if he stands over you anywhere close to your personal space.  

If push comes to shove... tell him to f**k off and call him out for creating a hostile work environment. 

[Mikiesboy]

1 hour ago, CassieQ said:

Am I hugely overreacting here?    

I don't think you are. That's beyond weird. Depending on your reporting structure, perhaps discuss this with your manager or HR. 

You are uncomfortable, and his behavior is odd. At least speak to someone about what's happened.

[CassieQ]

33 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

I don't think you are. That's beyond weird. Depending on your reporting structure, perhaps discuss this with your manager or HR. 

You are uncomfortable, and his behavior is odd. At least speak to someone about what's happened.

I did bring the lunch scenario up to one of my colleagues.   She laughed at it, which is why I'm feeling uncertain about things 

[Mikiesboy]

Just now, CassieQ said:

I did bring the lunch scenario up to one of my colleagues.   She laughed at it, which is why I'm feeling uncertain about things 

I get that, but you didn't find it funny. I'm guessing you still don't. And it doesn't sound funny to me either. I showed Michael, my ex-cop husband, and He wasn't laughing. It may be nothing, so if you're still uncomfortable, speak to your manager or HR. 

 

[CassieQ]

7 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

I get that, but you didn't find it funny. I'm guessing you still don't. And it doesn't sound funny to me either. I showed Michael, my ex-cop husband, and He wasn't laughing. It may be nothing, so if you're still uncomfortable, speak to your manager or HR. 

 

For now, I want to keep an eye on the guy, to see if he's a moron instead of a creep.  My boss isn't the greatest and the HR department is still new to me. I'm bringing my pepper spray with me though.

[CassieQ]

Thanks for everyone who made me feel less like a crazy lady.  

[Mikiesboy]

1 minute ago, CassieQ said:

Thanks for everyone who made me feel less like a crazy lady.  

just be careful..

[kbois]

21 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

just be careful..

I second that.  First instincts are usually right. 

[Reader1810]

2 hours ago, CassieQ said:

Am I hugely overreacting here?  

His behaviour, especially for a newbie, is weird and can definitely be seen as creepy. 

Better to overreact, so he stays on your radar in case his behaviour gets weirder.

Good luck and take care. 

[MichaelS36]

1 hour ago, CassieQ said:

Thanks for everyone who made me feel less like a crazy lady.  

You're not remotely crazy. Follow your gut instincts, don't discount them because others do. As @Reader1810 says it is better to overreact. There are a myriad stories of people who didn't trust their feelings.  Be watchful, be safe and call for assistance should you have further concerns. 

[Kitt]

@CassieQ

And grab a small notebook and document the weird happenings! Days, times, particulars! Costs a buck at the dollar store but will be invaluable should the creep escalate! 

[spyke]

9 hours ago, CassieQ said:

Am I hugely overreacting here?    

You are not overreacting. He's a creep. No matter how you package it or try to analyze it, he's a creep. 

Always go with your gut instinct.

[chris191070]

10 hours ago, CassieQ said:

I might need an impartial take on something that is bothering me.  I hope it's okay to ask here.

We have this new guy at work.  I haven't talked to him much, he's quiet and keeps to himself.  Cool.

The very first day, I'm in the break room and he's there.  Trying to be friendly and welcoming, because the first day at a new job can be weird, I ask him how the morning was.

He's all "fine".  Trying to engage, I say "It can seem overwhelming at first" and get a very condescending "I've done this before.  None of it is really new to me."

Okie-dokie.  We get employees with this kind of attitude sometimes.  It's a little obnoxious but mostly harmless.  So I fix my salad and sit down at the table to eat.  Now granted, this room is not large, but this guy decides to stand next to me, not like in my space but kind of looming over me while doing whatever on his phone.  Without speaking.  It's a little awkward and uncomfortable but he's a tall guy and I'm an average sized woman who is sitting down.  So maybe it's just me.  But he just stands there, doing whatever on his phone and not talking for another few minutes before leaving. 

Then today he comes into the break room this morning while I'm putting my lunch in the fridge.  I say "Hello."  Nothing.

Rude, but whatever.  Then at lunch, I'm again in the break room and he is there, sitting at the table with his laptop, taking up more room than necessary.  I silently make my salad and sit down across from him, which is the only convenient spot where I don't have to move someone else's stuff.  He doesn't talk, I don't talk.  I'm on my phone, then I see movement and look up, right into his phone.  He had lifted it up past the top of his laptop with the camera pointing right at me.

I have never seen someone holding a phone that way when NOT taking a picture.  So maybe it was a selfie, but his face was blank and he kept it up for a couple minutes.  I was extremely uncomfortable, to the point where I tried to move a little bit.  He finally brought it back down.

It sounds benign writing it out, but the atmosphere and everything, it was very wrong.  And then he did it again.  Camera pointed right at me.  I was so freaked out at this point that I was starting to get angry, so I silently picked up my phone, and held it up with the camera pointing at him.

He put his back down and didn't do it again.  I finished eating as fast as I could, and booked it the hell out of there.  I went outside to write, and when I put my pen to the paper, I saw my hand was shaking.  

I get that sometimes I can misread people.  That happens to me a lot too.  I have this habit of intimidating people when I don't mean to.  And I don't want to brand this guy as a creepy when he might just be really socially awkward and unaware.  But I've never had someone put me on edge so easily before.

Am I hugely overreacting here?    

You are not overreacting. The guy sounds like a creep.

Keep a record of what he does.

[Mikiesboy]

Here's hoping for a better Tuesday for @CassieQ and @kbois. Happy Tuesday!

Also, it is International Lefthanders Day, and I've been told that more geniuses are left-handed, which explains a lot about me, as I am neither!   So, enjoy, lefties!! It's your day!

[CassieQ]

This lefty is pleased because The Creep isn't working today.  I brought in the pepper spray my sister got me.  The canister is bright pink and it looks like a toy, so hopefully I don't have to whip it out.  

[Mikiesboy]

3 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

This lefty is pleased because The Creep isn't working today.  I brought in the pepper spray my sister got me.  The canister is bright pink and it looks like a toy, so hopefully I don't have to whip it out.  

I'm glad the Creep is off work today. Slimeball. Have a good one!!

[chris191070]

10 minutes ago, CassieQ said:

This lefty is pleased because The Creep isn't working today.  I brought in the pepper spray my sister got me.  The canister is bright pink and it looks like a toy, so hopefully I don't have to whip it out.  

Have a good day.

[Reader1810]

3 hours ago, CassieQ said:

This lefty is pleased because The Creep isn't working today.  I brought in the pepper spray my sister got me.  The canister is bright pink and it looks like a toy, so hopefully I don't have to whip it out.  

Have a great day, Cassie!