Trying not to get angry at co-worker

[The Barry]

Lol, why don't we just plan that northern Utah kilt night, invite that guy, and poke fun at him for wearing pants?

My thoughts exactly!

[meinfs]

Next time, tell him and his gf "Póg mo thóin" and say thóin with explosive force as to cause a projectile to ...

[pdcorlis]

If this happened at an American school it will fall under the formal grievance procedures. I would have filed a formal harassment complaint - which forces him into a very uncomfortable and long process. I would not "drop the charges" just to be a good guy - I would force him to go through the entire unpleasant tedious experience - and insist that this incident be documented in his personnel file.

[joeybear]

Let him know that any more jokes or harassment will be taken to the principal or union and that through the union, you will pursue legal channels. Don't put up with his crap, especially in front of students.

[English Bloke]

This man and his band-waggon girlfriend were totally offensive to you and your boy and placed you in a difficult position professionally. I would show them what offensive really is. Formalise your comlaint against both of them!

[Mac Daibhidh]

Bear in mind that certain reprecussions can come about from filing formal complaints. It doesn't sound like a case that would result in his termination, therefore you'll continue to have to work with the guy. Only now, he harbours a grudge. At any time you decide to make a joke or good natured ribbing to him or someone else in his vicinity, all he has to say is that he took offense to your comments - now your in the hot seat.

Also, I've seen complaint backfire in the sense that he can say "he was never warned by you...He didn't know that you were bothered by his jokes... now he is aware, and is sorry... he'll never make that mistake again"-type thing.
Then you risk looking like the guy who can't take a joke.

I work in a automotive manufacturing facility... where foul language, lewd comments and peer pressure (harrassment) run rampant. I've seen several cases where guys talk trash to others about all sorts of things, then someone will hurt the firsts guys feelings and off to HR.

Not to sound harsh, but this is all "high school" drama to me. Unfortunatly I feel that if you have enough bollocks to wear a kilt, you ought to have tough enough skin to handle or ignore some assinine comments. Now if he were to kilt check you I'd have a totally different stance on the matter.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

I'd just let him know that his girlfriend seemed to like the kilt when the apron was resting on her lower back.....

[RockyR]

Formal complaints get too 'sticky' down the road and invite retribution or a revocation of your kilt wearing priveledges.

I would look him dead in the eye and calmly explain: "I'm all for having fun, but this is really not funny and in fact, it's quite insulting. I'd appreciate it if you acted like an adult in my presence."

No need to sink to his level and insult his choice of clothing (or mate, or his mother... hahaha). Just take the high road, politely (but firmly) explain that he's acting like a child and end the conversation.



EDIT: I just noticed that this was done in front of students. I RE-AFFIRM my suggestion. Politely but firmly let him know his behavior / comments are juvenile and unacceptable.

[ohiopiper]

I won't offer an opinion on whether or not to file an official grievance, I don't know the circumstances of your workplace.

I will, however, advise you to tell this idiot (and the immature bimbo he's hanging on to) that insulting your son was way over the line and if it happens again ther'll be hell to pay, formally if it happens at work, bodily if it happens outside. Screwing with someones family is off limits no matter who you are.

And the pom-poms? Put them on his desk, attach a note stating you accept gifts from friends and family, not mental midgets with no good sense.

[Riverkilt]

I'm with Steve and Chas...cultural insensitivity and bullying are both way out of bounds if you work in a school.

Had I the power, I would give them a poker face and not react...let their "joke" fall flat, tell them, "I don't get it, explain what you mean."

When they mentioned my son I'd rare up with barely restrained anger and ask, "What are you saying about my boy?"

But that's past now. Time to up your frequency of kilt wearing.

There's also the most common two word response to an insult that can be delivered with firmness.

When the various local Highland Games come around, be sure he gets a copy of the flyers.

Steal his Ipod and put bagpipe music on it before letting him "find" it again.

Offer to share your oatmeal with him at breakfast.

Send him some photos of Sir Sean Connery kilted (easy to google up)

Drive him crazy. If you have access to his office take a large box of raisons and hide individual raisons every where creative you can think of. Sort of like an Easter egg hunt. Bottom of his coffee cup, in his jacket pocket, on a key of his keyboard. Doesn't hurt anything, but will drive him crazy wondering where all the raisons are coming from.

So many options when dealing with a social dunce.

Ron