Dude, sexual harrassment 101 is do not touch a co-worker. Doesn't matter if you intend it to be sexual or not. It's a no-no. I would be very very skeeved if any male in my workplace attempted to massage my shoulders. Ew and also disrespectful. I'm sorry for Teppy that she works with such a clueless moron. You should report him as a risk since he doesn't even know the basics of sexual harrassment in the workplace. Grrr.

Why on earth did he call you racist, Tep?

The other day he recounted a joke whose punchline relied on a racial stereotype, and I said that such jokes weren't funny.

Today, as we were arguing the Was Bush Sexually Harassing Or Not question, I told him he was being inconsistent, and he said "Just like you are with racist jokes."

I was confused, only b/c it seemed to come out of nowhere, and b/c it didn't relate to Bush. He said, "The other day you said that you don't like racist jokes, but you've told them in the past, which makes you inconsistent. Actually, a hypocrite."

All I could do was stare at him for a minute, and then I said, "I know that I have told racist jokes in the past, and I have no defense for that. But in the recent past, I've made a serious effort to think about what I say, especially when it comes to things that are considered to be funny. And I think I've been consistent for a while when it comes to anything racist."

His reply? "So that just excuses your racism in the past?"

I said "No, I already said that there is no defense for things I've said in the past. All I can do is be mindful in the present so that I'm not hypocritical."

Him: "Well, you have no grounds to call ME inconsistent."

I finally suggested that we get back to work, as the argument was doing either of us no good (and making our other 2 co-workers extremely uncomfortable).

Yeah, in the past, I have told -- and laughed at -- jokes involving racial stereotypes. That isn't defensible, and I own that. But what I do and say in the present -- that doesn't count for anything? Once a racist hypocrite, always a racist hypocrite?

I feel ugly (like, ugly-spirited, not physically ugly) and stupid and bigoted thanks to that conversation.

I really REALLY hate today.

Dear Teppy,

I think there is a Reese's calling your name some where, and you should eat it, and go to a happy place until beer time (beer foamy).

Love,
Cindy

P.S. This entire week can kiss my royal ruby red ass, as far as I'm concerned.

Apropos of nothing, I think the Putin video skeeved me more than the Bush one. The Putin thing seemed so out of the blue, like he was acting out some compulsion.

Okay, now *I* want to fly up there and punch him in the crotch.

Seriously, there's no call for that kind of jackasshattery.

I really wish salespeople did a little teeny bit of research before cold-calling me. This is a research institution. Run by the feds. This is a helpdesk number. You don't really think I'm going to transfer your call, do you? Also? Get a better phone service. I had to ask you to repeat yourself so many times before I figured out it was a sales call, I almost hung up on you for the hell of it.

Speaking of Bush, babies and photos: Write Your Own Caption

Seriously, there's no call for that kind of jackasshattery.

Seriously.

What Jess and the others said about your co-worker, Steph. Feh on him.

Where's Juliana or Vortex or meara?

Just say "oh, I --" stop abruptly, smile enigmatically and say "nothing special" What their minds will come up with is FAR more exciting than anything you could actually do.

See, I knew Vortex would be able to help.

I thought Bush's behavior to the German chancellor was more about power and latent sexism than anything sexual. Creepy stuff, but as someone upthread (apologies, but I didn't write down who said this) pointed out, it's typical animal dominance behavior.

It occurs to me that Bush has never worked with any women other than, say, Condi Rice, who is that weirdo who fantasizes about her boss and welcomes what she perceives as affectionate touches.