I Outed Myself….Sorta

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Every week at work we have a one-hour team meeting and two 15-minute team huddles. It was during one of these short team huddles that I said something that shocked our 10 member team and my supervisor. It was unavoidable because I could not allow the comment that was thrown at me like a grenade to explode at my feet.

We were discussing policies and procedures and handling irate customers. My Supervisor then stated that the way to handle those customers who insist on getting their way was to just nod our heads in agreement. A co-worker quickly interjected, “Like Elle’s husband does when she tells him what to do.”

Wow!

Everyone laughed in agreement. I gave pause and then calmly replied,

“I would never disrespect my husband in such a way and even more, my husband would never allow me to speak to him disrespectfully. I am a competent, take charge woman, but when have you ever heard me speak to anyone disrespectfully? For the record, my husband is the head of our household and he is a true leader. I fear no man and will stand up for myself wherever and whenever, even with my husband, but suggesting that I order him around like some kind of idiot and make him bend to my will is something that he’s going to have a good laugh at tonight, so thank you for that.”

Elvis has left the building.

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50 thoughts on “I Outed Myself….Sorta”

  7. That’s a damn good response. Your supervisor may have been going for a joke, but you gave them a strong, responsible reply. I agree with the commenter who said your team probably thought about what you said for the rest of the day.

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  8. I applaud your retort to that insult. Some jokes are truly harmless, like those between friends about hairstyles or clothing choices. Others, like those between strangers and workmates are snide, cloaked in ‘haa haa only kidding’.

    He will think twice before he opens his mouth again to something idiotic fall out.

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    • Exactly. I have to tell you, that kind of thinking s reed with me many years ago when I was first in Corporate America. I was too young to know how to handle it. The one thing about being 50 is that I will say what I need to say when I need to say it and know how to use a good measure of diplomacy.

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  10. I’m not certain this qualifies as an ‘outing’ m’dear.

    It reads to me like a statement of belief more akin to “I’m a Southern Baptist”, “I’m Hebrew” or ‘I’m a vegan, card holding supporter of PETA” putting your life into a cultural perspective.

    Now that tastefully sexy, erotic picture from your blog . . . . .well that might start the ball rolling!

    Gary

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  18. Brava!

    This spoke to me because, once upon a time, that same quip could have been made about me. I would have laughed along as it would have resembled my life, though it would later trigger some unidentifiable sense of discontent.

    Now, I am much happier, more fulfilled, and proud to honor my-Master/Head of Household with respect and am very protective of our dynamic. I would have the same response that you did, however jaw-dropping it would be.

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    • Years ago I wouldn’t have said anything and just let it slide. I would have laughed along. Now I know who I am and have no problem being me. I can handle whatever is thrown my way. So glad you can, too.

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    • Thanks, Molly. I gave all the men who were listening a little food for thought. I wasn’t ginger to allow anyone to turn my us and I to a sterotype. The negative connotation would rest on me as much as him.

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