Wedding Woes

Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?

Since this board is blunt, I figure I'll get some correction if it's deserved, or validation if I'm right.

There is some guy who works in production.  I don't know exactly what he does, last I saw he was sitting in our cafeteria writing SOPs (standard operating procedures).  So not someone who works directly on the production line, but like a supervisor of people who do.  Not like a director, C-level guy, or other high ranking person.  He just walked into my office and asked me to make copies for him.

He didn't ask where the copier was (though he had to pass it to get to my office), or how to operate it (not rocket science), he straight up asked me to make him some copies.

Now, let me be the first to say that there is nothing wrong with being an admin (ours is awesome), but I am not an admin, and it's not my job to make copies for random people, much like it's not my job to run machinery or pack shipments.  I don't look like our admin, sit near her, or have a similar name, so I don't know what would have given this guy the idea that it was my job to make his copies.

Is it wrong that I feel like he asked me just because I'm a woman?  Because I can't think of any other reason for it.  Do any of you just randomly walk up to coworkers you barely know and ask them to make copies?  Because I'm trying not to feel offended and label him a sexist, but I'm also having trouble thinking of a better explanation.

ETA:  I realized I didn't tell you my response.  I kind of gave him a puzzled look, repeated "Make...copies for you?" and when he said yes, I showed him where the copier was, where the paper went in, which button to push (hint:  the big one), and told him to let me know if he had problems.  He didn't even give a simple thanks, either. 

Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?

  • how old is he? 

    unregardless, i do think he did it because you are a woman.

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  • i don't think you're being overly sensitive, but what did you respond with when he asked you to make copies? what was his reason for asking you?
  • btw, what did you do? 
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  • Unless he's disabled physically or developmentally, which it doesn't sound like htat's the case, then he asked because you're a woman.   Or he wants to ask you out - which is also because you are a woman.   Either way, sexist and I don't think you're being overly sensitive.   Unless you're crying over this?    Are you crying?

  • I just realized I left out my response, I ETAed it above.
  • I agree with your assessment of the situation, and think you handled everything appropriately.  That would absolutely get under my skin.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_yall-am-i-being-overly-sensitive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:7b27f2d1-22ee-4f1c-9f75-fb7dfa7b07c7Post:f27343c9-d511-4e24-b924-72e0a6c444f5">Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Unless he's disabled physically or developmentally, which it doesn't sound like htat's the case, then he asked because you're a woman.   Or he wants to ask you out - which is also because you are a woman.   Either way, sexist and I don't think you're being overly sensitive.   Unless you're crying over this?    Are you crying?
    Posted by AuntFlo[/QUOTE]

    Well, I <em>did</em> burst into tears, but it's okay--I explained that it was "my time of the month" (in those exact words).  He seemed like he understood.
  • Heff, i love your response and think you were completely appropriate for the way you reacted. brava.
  • you should send him to that concentration camp (i still laugh about that).
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  • Not sensitive and I'd bet that's why he asked you.  I used to get that quite a bit. 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_yall-am-i-being-overly-sensitive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:7b27f2d1-22ee-4f1c-9f75-fb7dfa7b07c7Post:8c045830-4454-4197-8921-0e61c531d846">Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive? : Well, I did burst into tears, but it's okay--I explained that it was "my time of the month" (in those exact words).  He seemed like he understood.
    Posted by Heffalump[/QUOTE]

    Perfect!
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_yall-am-i-being-overly-sensitive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:7b27f2d1-22ee-4f1c-9f75-fb7dfa7b07c7Post:1b33d917-45af-458a-ba59-b6613e39de98">Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?</a>:
    [QUOTE]<strong>how old is he?</strong>  unregardless, i do think he did it because you are a woman.
    Posted by hmonkey[/QUOTE]

    I would guess early 40's?
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_yall-am-i-being-overly-sensitive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:7b27f2d1-22ee-4f1c-9f75-fb7dfa7b07c7Post:16f11c71-9b34-4f96-b8c9-5940afdde8c5">Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive? : I would guess <strong>early 40's?
    </strong>Posted by Heffalump[/QUOTE]

    Then he's just DUMB.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_yall-am-i-being-overly-sensitive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:7b27f2d1-22ee-4f1c-9f75-fb7dfa7b07c7Post:3f788caa-42cb-417a-b06c-30bfedb7f0e6">Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Y'all, am I being overly sensitive? : Then he's just DUMB.
    Posted by MNNEBride[/QUOTE]

    <div>Yep.</div><div>And, yeah, he asked because you're female.</div><div>
    </div>
  • Good thing you didn't make those copies for him, or he probably would have thanked you with a firm pat on the fanny.
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  • i think letting it bother you is too sensitive, but yeah, he totally asked because you are a woman.

    you should have asked if he needed help tying his shoes and cutting his meat, too.
  • Nope, not overly sensitive and a pretty accurate assessment but I'd not obsess over it. The WTF look of "how can you be so obtuse, is it deliberate?" should take care of it Oh, and you need to find him and tell him to go kill a spider, reach something off the top shelf, change the oil in your car and move heavy boxes.
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  • This was totally the right move on your part.  You don't want to start that type of thing because then you don't have to end it!  My boss totally made me do stuff like that all the time because I used to be the office person but then I moved all the way up to GM and at some point I was just like listen I really don't have the time to do al the stuff I used to now that I have taken on so much more responsability it just isn't fair to ask me to do the mundane tasks that anyone can do!

    Good job!
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