Update on the sitch with the cranky pants coworker, since so many have asked:
Once more proving the old adage that the best way to stop a bully is to stand up to them…
Yesterday evening I picked up the phone and called my tormentor directly.
He ran down his list of grievances. I listened to his tale of woe. I umm’d and ahh’d at his drama, and made appropriate sympathetic clucking sounds.
This listening thing seemed to work.
We ended up having a rather lovely conversation and by the time we were done, he was speaking platitudes about how much he was looking forward to working with me.
So I think we’re done with the animosity, for now at least.
Thanks to all who volunteered to help back me up, I won’t soon forget. It’s always good to know who will throw down for you.
The list includes a supportive email from my big brother who will have to wait another day to beat down some random dude in his office building.
Sorry bruddah. We’ll get ’em next time.
