General Board
Re: I need some advice
Posted By: Ruth AKA Rufus <rg.photo@shaw.ca> (24.66.94.140)
Date: Wednesday, 3 April 2002, at 12:49 p.m.In Response To: I need some advice (Tonya)
Tonya.
If you have to work closly with this person I would suggest taking her to lunch and having a talk with her. Many thin people do not know what it is like to be constantly barraged by the media and sicieties sterotypes about being fat. Perhaps as the other poster suggested she isn't happy with her own weight and has suffered because of it. If that is the case there may be a good conversation there about what it feels like on both sides of the ideal. I had an experience with a friends coworker who turned out to be anorexic. I did a little educating about what fat really looks like and how its all a matter of perception about our weight that makes us happy or unhappy. As well when I was running a recreational facility last year I ran into the occasional person who would have a problem with me and my weight. Once confronted nicely and a discussion ensued most people kept their prejudices to themselves.
Perhaps she feels she is "helping" you to realize you are fat. As if we don't own mirrors and cannot figure that our for ourselves! Most importantly is to have a calm rational discussion with her about how what she says makes you feel. Let her know that you don'tappreciate it and that you would appreciate not having to listen to those conversations.Hopefully this will make her more aware, and if it doesn't then go to your supervisor about it. Let them know that you had a conversation about the subject with the person and that they have chosen not to be sensitive to your concerns. You have the right not to work in a workplace where someone is harrassing you.