# How do I say I do not take bs from anyone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164 "2016-01-14T20:27:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/21 "2016-01-14T21:17:10Z")
It’s difficult to answer this without knowing a bit more about your situation, but I think this could be a great question for Allison at [askamanager.org](http://askamanager.org). She’ll often provide letter writers with a script; you’d want to send her a more detailed description of the situation, though. Take a look at some of the letters on the site for an idea of what she can work with. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/22 "2016-01-14T21:17:15Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > The usual workplace BS. > I have a new Team leader who is amazingly incompetent. I need to explain to him how I function. No you don’t. That’s the first thing you ought to realize: you don’t NEED to do anything here. You’ve got choices. It sounds like he wants you to change how you operate. You think he’s an idiot. Fine. He may think the same thing about you. So you’ve got some choices: 1. Suck it up. Do things his way. 2. Very diplomatically talk with him about how open he is to an explanation of your current procedure, acknowledging that he’s the boss, but saying you think there is some real value in some of the ways you’re currently handling things. Seek his input, make things seem like they’re his idea. Depending on your diplomatic skills, the quality of your reasons, his intelligence, and his ego, this will meet with greater or lesser success. 3. Confront him and tell him you’re not gonna change, and be undiplomatic. Be looking for another job, straight up, you go this path. 4. Quit. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/23 "2016-01-14T21:19:25Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I’m interested in fostering an environment of cooperation & communication so as to enhance professionalism and productivity. Part of this plan involves de-emphasizing attempts on other peoples’ part to confuse or obscure business process and practices. JFC, get to the point! (OP: see how easy that was?) ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/24 "2016-01-14T21:20:41Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > The usual workplace BS. > I have a new Team leader who is amazingly incompetent. I need to explain to him how I function. In all seriousness… if he is a new supervisor… i’d wait and try to handle things as best you can and not add to the list of people making complaints about the workplace ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/25 "2016-01-14T21:25:48Z")
Just explain that you “don’t take bs from anyone” to the nice security guard as he walks you out the door. Seriously, you’re going to tell your team leader that you don’t take any bullshit - and you then expect to stay employed? Doesn’t work that way in any company that I’ve been employed by. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/26 "2016-01-14T21:28:07Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > What exactly do you mean by “bs?” > [@CookingWithGas](#): > > What bullshit are you being offered? > [@blueslipper](#): > > The usual workplace BS. Well, that clarifies nothing. I find your phrasing odd. “Don’t tolerate BS” means have no patience for irrelevant, time wasting, trivial things that don’t help with the matter at hand. “Don’t fall for BS” means can tell when people aren’t being truthful and won’t be taken in by deception. “Don’t take shit” means won’t accept any disrespect or improper criticism. “Do not take BS” doesn’t have a clear meaning that I can tell. And as I’ve seen all of the above at various workplaces, I don’t know what you mean by “the usual workplace BS.” If you’d care to explain what you mean in specific and concrete terms instead of vague meaningless ones, I’d be happy to try to help. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/27 "2016-01-14T21:40:18Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > Workplace advice. How do I say I do not take bs from anyone in a professional way? You must talk to a psychologist. Here you will get lots of unprofessional advice. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/28 "2016-01-14T21:42:59Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > Just explain that you “don’t take bs from anyone” to the nice security guard as he walks you out the door. > > Seriously, you’re going to tell your team leader that you don’t take any bullshit - and you then expect to stay employed? Doesn’t work that way in any company that I’ve been employed by. Indeed over aggression can be detrimental, as can over compliance. ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/29 "2016-01-14T21:45:38Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > you prefer this method to “the evil eye”? > i like the evil eye > i like to give people the evil eye That as well +6 foot 238 pounds and very little fat, I actually am man of peace I just do not look it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/30 "2016-01-14T21:50:05Z")
Just do you job as best you can and be professional and friendly. If your supervisor legitimately does not understand your job, help him understand it. Crazy ideas, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/31 "2016-01-14T21:54:48Z")
“Take this fertilizer shipment back to the shipper, we didn’t order it and I will not sign for it” has worked for me in the past. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/32 "2016-01-14T22:15:46Z")
“Mr. Lumbergh, do you have a second? I need to talk to you about something.” “Sure, Slip… what’s on your mind?” “I need to tell you that I don’t take BS.” “Excuse me?” “I don’t take BS.” “By BS you mean… bullshit?” “Yes.” “Uh, okay… um, what BS are you referring to, exactly?” “The usual workplace BS.” “Such as…” “Just the usual workplace BS, in general. I just want you to know that I don’t take it. That’s how I function.” “And who’s asking you to take BS?” “Nobody. I don’t take BS from anyone. That’s how I function.” “Ooookay…” “I just wanted you to know.” “I see. Well, is that it?” “Yes.” “Okay then.” “Okay.” “Uh… bye.” “Goodbye.” _\<5 minutes later, in Human Resources office\>_ “I just had a VERY strange conversation with blueslipper that was kind of disturbing…” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/33 "2016-01-14T22:26:25Z")
When should we start offering tips for job-hunting? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/34 "2016-01-14T22:52:42Z")
The next time he gives you BS, you him in the stomach followed by a rabbit punch to the jaw and say “I don’t take no BS from you or nobody. That’s not how I roll”. (Bonus business-appropriate points if you crack your knuckles while you’re talking) After he recovers, he’ll like, totes respect you man. Totes. (Note–this is the preferred business professional way of doing it. If you’re not so concerned with appropriate business technique, you’d kick him in the nuts when he hits the ground after the punch to the jaw. But that’s frowned upon in corporate environments) ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/35 "2016-01-14T22:52:56Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Indeed over aggression can be detrimental, as can over compliance. Somehow I suspect that over compliance has never been blueslipper’s problem. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/36 "2016-01-14T23:12:46Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > “Take this fertilizer shipment back to the shipper, we didn’t order it and I will not sign for it” has worked for me in the past. “Fertilizer such as this is something up with which I will no longer put.” ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/37 "2016-01-14T23:22:45Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > “Fertilizer such as this is something up with which I will no longer put.” That sounds like something out of a Hungarian-English phrasebook, right up there with “My hovercraft is full of eels” and “I will not buy this tobacconist’s, it is scratched.” ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/38 "2016-01-14T23:39:54Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > Somehow I suspect that over compliance has never been blueslipper’s problem. 🙂 No one knows – only expert can give good advice. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/39 "2016-01-14T23:45:14Z")
I’m in a business role where I get a lot of bs from a lot of different people. I have found that a simple ‘no’ goes a long way. When someone is telling me a convoluted story about how their work is late or they couldn’t get cooperation with their team, or other blather along those lines, I look them in the eye and say “no, I’m not buying that”. Then a wait silently until they either try some other story on me or tell me the truth. If the truth is still not forthcoming, I tell them what the truth is. Pure and simple. Because I usually already know. People will work you as much as you let them. If you don’t want to tolerate bs, just don’t accept it when it’s lobbed in your direcction. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164/40 "2016-01-14T23:48:40Z")
I am trying to think of a context that would warrant such a response and I can’t think of any. Maybe you can give an example? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-say-i-do-not-take-bs-from-anyone/743164.md?page=3)