A short vignette

Short vignette about the work situation

I had to go to a very important meeting with two staff people of very important people from our "home" office.

I took Marjorie with me because she knew what they wanted to know, I trust her to say and do the right thing at the right time, and she knew the two women we were meeting with, both professionally and personally. I had never met either woman prior.

So we sit down at the conference table, I introduce myself, etc., and one of them says to me, "You look like you've been getting some sun."

It took me a little by surprise because I hadn't been getting any sun at all--it was December in the Northern Hemisphere, after all--and was trying to figure out a sensible response other than, 'Huh?' when Marjorie glanced my way and said, "Nooo...he always looks--"

"That's just his normal coloring?" the one asked.

"Yeah--that's just his normal look," Marjorie agreed.

Sometimes people know me in ways, or make observations about me, that take me by surprise.

Comments

"I took Marjorie with me because she knew what they wanted to know, I trust her to say and do the right thing at the right time, and she knew the two women we were meeting with, both professionally and personally. I had never met either woman prior. "

Question1: How would the other woman (whom you say you have never met) know what you looked like to even dare to comment "you look like you've gotten some sun" ?

Question 2: Didn't it even cross your mind just a little bit that perhaps Marjorie has mentioned your working relationship with these ladies (that she knows professionally AND personnally)?

That is such a very odd comment for someone to make in a business meeting. Especially if she had never met you before. UNLESS, she had seen a picture of you before.... hmmmmm (it looks damn sticky to me)
 
It sure sounds bizarre for somebody at a business meeting to comment on your colouring.

This Marjorie-situation seems stranger and stranger the more is revealed.
 
Betty_Cocker;bt111408 said:
Question1: How would the other woman (whom you say you have never met) know what you looked like to even dare to comment "you look like you've gotten some sun" ?
Maybe her comment was just an icebreaker. Personally, I never remark on a woman's appearance in the workplace.

As a matter of fact, I rarely remark on a woman's appearance in any setting unless we're married or within one degree of consanguinuity.

Such attention is flattering and unnerving at the same time. Especially when the person saying it has a direct line to the guy who wields the power to shut down our office.

Betty_Cocker;bt111408 said:
Question 2: Didn't it even cross your mind just a little bit that perhaps Marjorie has mentioned your working relationship with these ladies (that she knows professionally AND personnally)?

Actually, not until I read your comment. :redface:

Betty_Cocker;bt111408 said:
.... hmmmmm (it looks damn sticky to me)

Yeah, it kind of does.

Reverse the genders: put three men and a woman in a meeting. How likely would it be in this day and age for two of them to remark on the woman's appearance? Obviously it happens, and probably far more than men realize. But it could create more of a stir in that scenario. The only place I've mentioned it is here.
 
Zorgolio;bt111415 said:
It sure sounds bizarre for somebody at a business meeting to comment on your colouring.

This Marjorie-situation seems stranger and stranger the more is revealed.

Indeed.

I've only worked closely with her for about a year, and more is revealed all the time.
 
This woman is going to ruin your life and everything you have worked so hard to build get rid of her ASAP
 

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