Good evening,
I’m going to keep this post as hidden with any information that can reveal my job or location cause this can come back to me. Today I got called into my supervisors office to talk with a supervisor about a few things, and here is the part where I need some sort of maybe reassurance and maybe tell me i’m not crazy about this? The situation was I was trying to move through a hallway of doctors, I don’t know if anyone works at a hospital but it’s pretty irritating when they all huddle in a circle blocking the hallway and they look at you crazy as if you’re wrong for saying I need to get through. But in this situation it was kinda awkward I was passing by with a basket that was full tight with things and they were all huddled in talking about tightly together and yes I have common sense they weren’t in an emergency situation with a code or attack or anything I literally said in kind of a way to break the awkwardness of things like “you guys are huddled like penguins (with a big smile and in a soft tone) do you mind if I pass by.” Also really quick for anyone that questions that comment a lot of people know I like animals and I always compare things to them. But they all were laughing like legitimately! But I guess someone got offended which I was told by my supervisor and they had to talk me. Which I find insane because none of them know my name and what position I’m in so someone really must’ve been so upset they tracked me? So what I’m getting at is am I right to think that person took it very wrongly. And was me stating you guys are stacked like penguins in a joke to ease an awkward situation? And my supervisor even said people in the hospital I’m working at are sensitive and I’m guessing why a lot of people quit. But are they overreacting or am I just insensitive and an asshole
NTA – just use the age old excuse I’ll be mindful next time
Uhh NTA?? Unless there’s some sort of underlying racist, sexual, or otherwise offensive relation to penguins I should know about? Seems like whoever reported you is sensitive AF…..
Literally what did they find offensive in that 🤦♀️
NTA. I fail to see “inappropriate language.” And honestly, if you had said something like, “get the fuck out of the way, you blubbering unaware assholes” that would still be appropriate given the situation. I have heard much worse stories from plenty of nurses and hospital staff that should go to HR but don’t.
NTA. That’s not inappropriate langue. Oh my gosh, I’m sorry your coworkers suck. I hate when people block hallways like that.
NTA. You are absolutely not in the wrong for making a lighthearted joke about penguins as you try to get past a huddle of people. I can be a sensitive person, and I would not have thought twice about someone making a comment like that. The fact that someone was upset enough about it to track you down to make a complaint is ridiculous. Your supervisor should have shut it down and never mentioned it to you. I would brush it off and just be extra careful around that group of people if you interact with any of them again. Apparently they can’t take the mildest of inoffensive jokes, so just say excuse me, please and move along.
It’s because it was a group of doctors. Most of them were fine about it, but there are always the god complex ones who don’t think mere mortals should ever bother them. There have been times I’ve been walking by the doctors parking lot to the hospital back door and said hello while passing a doctor and had them completely ignore me. Just staring straight ahead with a prune face
Came here to say this. I’m a doctor and I would be totally fine with that. I would probably laugh. On the other hand, there are some doctors who are all up in their egos. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that. Because that does not sound the least bit inappropriate. NTA.
I literally love doctors like you now I don’t even know if I want to talk to them or even say good morning 95% of the ones I met are nice ask me questions about myself and asked if I wanted to be a doctor (yes I’m in school to be a veterinarian)
NTA.
May I add that it is possible that no one was offended by your comment, but rather a doctor’s over-inflated ego was pricked by someone *who is not a doctor* calling out the *all-important doctors* for being clueless and blocking the hallway.
Bruh I read this title and I thought you had been like “hey get the fuck out of my way”. Comparing them to penguins is adorable, so adorable in fact that I will be stealing that line next time I have a huddle in my way. (I’m a pharmacy tech.)
You are absolutely NTA and the docs are absolutely the assholes here. At my hospital, if I’m delivering during rounds, huddles will part for me like the Red Sea as soon as they hear my cart rolling up and the most I ever have to do to prod them out of the way is stage whisper “scuse me” and they literally do not acknowledge me beyond getting out of my way because a) they’re trained right and b) *they’re focused on rounds.* If they’re this distracted by you passing through, that’s a them problem, not a you problem.
NTA. That’s out of pocket behavior by them. I tend to agree with the person that said it was more likely an ego thing than actual offense at being compared to a penguin. You’re so good. Don’t worry about that.
I kept waiting for the inappropriate part and had to re-read it because I thought I missed it. Nothing you said was inappropriate. NTA.