OT: Total rant about today

Hmm... good suggestion re. the "lie".  I'd rather be straight forward about it though. Funnily enough, it's already happened 3 times this morning and it's only 10:05. Grr.

I can't believe in this day and age people are still using that word to describe people/situations. It's really no different from using the N word to describe a black person or the C or B words to describe a woman. Young or not they should know better.

Yes, they SHOULD know better.  AND we work in municipal politics, which is extremely high profile in the city.  I am an extremely straightforward, direct, confident person and would usually just say what I thought straight out.  This is just a weird situation for me, being new to the team and trying to find my way.

Hi Karen,

I totally understand the rant. You may be able to handle it in a different way. Firstly dont see yourself as "mom" as they probably look up to you as experienced and knowledgeable. I remember a long time ago when I was the young worker and I looked up to the older ladies in my crew. They were strong and had a voice and could affect a group either negatively or positvely depending on the type of person or communication style they had. Even though you are the new person the younger staff will look to you to set the tone. Do you ever have team meetings where you are asked for agenda items? Perhaps you could submit one titled "Respect, what does it mean to you?" Lead the topic asking for the team input and let them come to the right conclusion. Dont tell them, ask them what does it mean to them? Are they fat, ugly, gay, other race, religion, etc? What hurts them? When they are part of the process they own it. I was a manager with staff for over 20 years and always found this style worked best. Or if you cant do that confide in your manager and see if she/he wants to step up to the plate and as a new manager make a positive mark in their team (not to mention she can put it in her next review as a teambuilding exercise). If she is unprofessional this may be an area her superiors want her to improve. No one is perfect, everyone can improve.

Good luck, you can influence your environment.

Well said Lorraine, I totally agree.

Karen, you may be oneof the older ones in the office, but you were hired because of your qualifications (including your knowledge in this area) and you should use all that you have.  Also, you may be older, but I'm assuming that you carry your fun personality with you much of the time, which would help them to see you in a more youthful view.  I say go for it, they need to be told. 

Yeah, I'm pretty much a "what you see is what you get" kinda gal - what you see here on the forum is who I am. (maybe not a good thing. LOL!)  I am going to "go for it", as I just can't stand what I'm hearing. 

Excellent idea, thank you!  At a team meeting would be perfect actually.

 cold??? nahhhh its f**king FREEZING OUT !!! n i have so had enough of it 

Joy, yesterday coming home I was rained (POURED) on, snowed on, hailed on, blew over and soaked to the bone. LOL  I too have had enough! 

 awww Hugs Karen, today really don't look any better, i don't even want to go out at all, tg my 3 dogs will be happy just to go out back for their jobs I just can't get past this freezing feeling ... begging for mr sunshine to show his smiling rays on me again n with no wind.lol