CO

CO-WORKERS

My wife and I used to be really good friends with a co-worker. We would double date, and get together, and sit together at work get-togethers. Over the years he has been promoted to my boss, but we still get together for lunch frequently. Now that he is CEO of the company, he said he doesn't feel comfortable being friends anymore. I would never treat anyone that way, and I have never asked for favoritism, what gives?

He is uncomfortable with his job and doesn't know how to relate to the other people at work. Keep it friendly, and make it clear you are willing to pick up the friendship whenever he is.

There is a woman who works in the same building as me, and she wears WAY too much perfume. She is very beautiful, wears nice professional business suits, and is one of the managers of her company. The whole hallway stinks after she has been through, and when she walks by people make faces behind her back and hold their noses. Then every time she goes to the restroom, she puts more perfume on! She doesn't work in my office, so maybe it isn't any of my business. But if people were making fun of me, I would want to know.

You are the perfect person to tell her, you have nothing to lose! If you can smell a person from 6 feet away, it is obnoxious, whether is it body odor or perfume. Start with "I am telling you this as a friend" and repeat the same things you said above. She should stop wearing spray perfume, and only use one dab on her wrists and rub it together. A person should have to get close enough to hug you to be able to smell your perfume. You will be doing this woman a big favor.

I work in a beauty salon, and we just hired a new girl. She has several years of experience. She is very sweet, but when she works, it is like watching a snail do hair. A haircut that anyone else can do in 15 minutes, takes her 45. Highlights and perms take her HOURS. Then she complains in the break room that she isn't making enough money. Well, maybe if she would pick up the pace a bit!

If you are concerned that her job is in danger, you might want to talk to her. But if you feel uncomfortable, it is up to the salon owner to say something.

I like working in a upscale professional office. Everyone is educated, people wear suits. But the woman who sits next to me has the worst case of gutter mouth! Every time she needs to use the restroom, instead of saying "I'll be right back" I get several different renditions of "I could piss like a racehorse", or she will whip out a tampon and say "Time to put in the plug". She is kind of a tough chick, and I am a little afraid of her. If I complain to personnel, she might know it's me who complained.

No one should have to be subjected to that kind of language in the work place. Go ahead and talk to personnel, that is their job.