Call an entrenching tool a shovel, why don'cha?

[zianuray]

I got a little snitty with a co-worker today.

She said of someone, "What a witch!" and did not intend it as a compliment.

I asked why she didn't call the woman a Baptist?

Then explained that it was just the same thing as calling her a Witch -- that if she was going to denigrate one person's religion she may as well spread it around.

"Well, I'm not going to say 'bitch' in a call center!"

"Just remember, it's harassment on religious grounds and I am not afraid to talk to HR about it.  Are you willing to go that far?"

I did try to put a humorous spin on it and presented it as informational -- but everyone there knows I'm a Witch anyhow, I'm so far out of the broom closet I was never in that it may as well have burned down.

In the end, I think I got the message across -- and we're ok, as far as I can tell there are no feelings of being "picked on" on her part and as for me, I know she just hadn't thought of it that way before, so no harm, no foul.

Yeah, the whole PC thing also annoys me, but damnit, say what you mean!  A bitch is a bitch and a Witch is a Witch; confuse the two at your peril!(Thanks, jeffs_page !)  And no, being a Witch does not mean one cannot also be a bitch.  Or at least assertive.

So...what's your take?  Would you have spoken up if it were your religion being bandied about?  What about "just any" religion?

Comments

[jeffs-page.livejournal.com]

Yay! I caused trouble!

Since I'm not any religion (I'm spiritual, not religious), I tend to play Devil's Advocate (HA!) when the subject of religion comes up.

[beatnikbetty.livejournal.com]

actually i had a more serious situation when i worked for a foreign language oriented department with a university.. this was back in 2005 i guess. some coworkers were making fun of me behind my back for being pagan, and being open about it. i worked very hard, but most of the others had higher degrees and came from rich affluent families so they enjoyed giving me a hard time, belittling me subtly. there was an email sent around to the effect of 'bubble bubble toil and trouble' - that was sent to the whole team, so I went and talked to my manager and said something like "now I KNOW that no one here would deliberately harass me for my religious preferences, as that is illegal and unconstitutional, etc, so I just want to bring it up for the future..." and i could see the reaction on his face as he realized that some major lawsuits could be bubbling in the cauldron. :P

[motherpockets.livejournal.com]

I agree! And there are phrases people use without thinking about the meaning or derivation that drive me wild! Saying witch when they mean bitch is one; or calling someone a retard or even a tard infuriates me. I've never (that I know of) had anyone make fun of me for being a witch, but I have had problems with people who know that I'm a Jew. One daughter of a Luftwaffe general said, "Well, when we come back to power, you won't pass." Another co-worker who was quite angry with me said, "When I look at you, I know why Hitler did what he did!" (I tried to grieve that one, and my supervisor would not allow it!!) I tend to assume, when possible, that the person didn't realize what they were saying, and gently mention it to them. If they continue, then it's their own fault. The place I work now is so PC and has yearly trainings on all kinds of harassment, so that I don't have to worry about that much in the work place. Other places, I do speak my mind.

[bleuberi21.livejournal.com]

If it were me at my office, I wouldn't have said anything. I don't think anyone there knows my religious affiliations. I prefer to keep it that way.

[wordcandlemage.livejournal.com]

Have you read my old posts about my holiday greetings? I am completely in agreement with your response to the situation. If we don't stand up for ourselves and expect the same respect that others demand for their religions, who is going to do it for us?

(Okay...did I just sound way, way too preachy?) LOL

[zianuray.livejournal.com]

Not at all, and I do remember your posts! How have you been?

[rebeccasophia.livejournal.com]

Since we know I seldom keep my mouth shut, I know I would have said something. Probably without all the politeness and grace that you summoned up - but stepping over the line on anyone's religious beliefs is a real no-no with me.