# My psychopathically pro-American coworker just went way over the line. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341 "2003-03-26T18:15:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![stypticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@stypticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stypticus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/41 "2003-03-27T03:24:28Z")
All well and good being over it, but do leave a printout of the hoax deconstruction on her desk. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/42 "2003-03-27T03:34:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyla \* > \*\*“Then you’re not an American.” > \*\* “I am still a person, that’s all that mattersBitch” should have been your response. I respect people who detatch themselves from their country. Patriotism is abstract and more often than not : counterproductive. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/43 "2003-03-27T04:36:10Z")
I also want to apologize on behalf of Ann Arbor. I mean, one of the reasons this is such a good place to live is that the pinheads are in a definite minority. For some reason, you have the misfortune to work with one of the few. We may have to ride her out of town. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/44 "2003-03-27T08:19:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by White Lightning \* > \*\ ***fbmf** , I’d like to heartily welcome you to the SDMB. That is a truly excellent first post. \*\* Yeah, except now what am I supposed to call **fella bilong missus flodnak** on second reference, hmm? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/45 "2003-03-27T13:05:33Z")
Kyla, the only way this can be resolved is in the deathmatch arena. Serenity now, insanity later. ---
**Author:** ![fbmf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f17d59/32.png) [@fbmf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fbmf)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/46 "2003-03-27T13:45:25Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by White Lightning_ > fbmf, I’d like to heartily welcome you to the SDMB. That is a truly excellent first post. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by kaylasdad99_ > welcome to the SDMB, btw, fbmf [hijack] Thanks for the welcoming messages. Nice to “meet” all of you. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/47 "2003-03-27T14:16:46Z")
This sounds like a job for HR. (cue swooshie-special effects & orchestra playing jingoistic music) Seriously, most bosses don’t know what to do when this stuf happens. Many are embarrassed & just hope it goes away. Take it to HR: They Will know what to do. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/48 "2003-03-27T14:19:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyla \* > \*\* I’m a member of the Green Party. \*\* fellow member! ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/49 "2003-03-27T14:36:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by quietman1920 \* > \*\*This sounds like a job for HR. > > (cue swooshie-special effects & orchestra playing jingoistic music) > Seriously, most bosses don’t know what to do when this stuf happens. Many are embarrassed & just hope it goes away. Take it to HR: They Will know what to do. \*\* No no no. I work for a teeny company. My bosses ARE HR. I’m probably going to be moving in a few months, it’s not worth getting riled up about it at this point. P.S. **Twistydear** , love the idea. ---
**Author:** ![cleosia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@cleosia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cleosia)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/50 "2003-03-27T14:48:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, she knows I’m Jewish. On a separate rant, at Christmastime, she was really annoyed with me when I didn’t want to play the CD of Christmas carols she made. She told me it would “get me in the spirit” and that I was a “grinch” for politely refusing her offer. My reminders that I don’t celebrate Christmas made no noticeable effect. > [@](#): > > **All ways are my way.** _Queen of Hearts_ 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/51 "2003-03-27T15:14:05Z")
Just for fun, you might consider pressuring your coworker to observe Yom Kippur. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/52 "2003-03-27T15:21:14Z")
Kyla, I comiserate with you for your misery. I worked in a larger firm some time ago & kept going to my boss about a similarly annoying person (she actually threatened to kill me once). Said bosses did Nothing… and nothing was documented because the boss kept no records. The other person went to HR every time I told her I found her statements offensive. To HR it looked Very one sided…almost cut & dry. For posters in ‘medium to big’ companies, that advice was for you… ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/53 "2003-03-27T15:42:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyla \* > \*\*No no no. I work for a teeny company. My bosses ARE HR. I’m probably going to be moving in a few months, it’s not worth getting riled up about it at this point. > > P.S. **Twistydear** , love the idea. \*\* Make sure you send that bitch off correctly when you leave. P.S. don’t forget ot key her car. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/54 "2003-03-27T15:44:01Z")
If she only knew how silly she looks to people in other countries… Here in Canada, we have as much pride in our country as any other nationality, but you can hear a mouse fart during the singing of the national anthem cause that’s just not how we express our patriotism (on the other hand, there wasn’t a dry eye in Canada when our olympic hockey teams took double gold.) Co-worker dearest needs to get her head out of her ass and look around a little - there’s more to life than in-your-face, hardcore patriotism. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/55 "2003-03-27T18:22:39Z")
Not here in the States, there’s not. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/56 "2003-03-27T18:43:23Z")
I would’ve fucking flipped on her “I’m so American because I pledge myself to the U.S. but anyone who isn’t just like me must be anti-American” ass. My god… ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/57 "2003-03-27T18:48:49Z")
I’d second the “ask her to celebrate Yom Kippur” and give her a CD you burned for her of Jewish Holiday songs. _It’s beginning to look a…lot like Yom Kip-pur with ev-ry jew you see._ ---
**Author:** ![Clint\_in\_Wichita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Clint\_in\_Wichita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clint_in_Wichita)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/58 "2003-03-27T19:04:06Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve lived abroad, and have the heretical (to her) viewpoint that other countries can be just as good as the US. Which countries would those be? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/59 "2003-03-28T00:42:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Clint in Wichita \* > \*\*Which countries would those be? \*\* Uh oh. Did I just threaten the security of the US by suggesting that other nations might be okay, too? Here’s an example of the sort of conversation we’ve had: Her: I would never want to live anywhere else. Me: Well, I’m not saying I’d want to live in another country permanently, but I think it would be interesting to live somewhere else. Her: What other countries have the freedom we have here in the US? In what other countries do you have the opportunities that we have here? We have freedom of religion and the press, and free public education! Where else can you get that? Me: Um, Canada? Britain? Ireland? Australia? New Zealand? Her: They don’t let you have guns there! Me: Yay! Her: Those are socialist countries! Me: Neat! Etc., etc. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341/60 "2003-03-28T05:49:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyla \* > **\Her: We have freedom of religion and the press, and free public education! Where else can you get that? > \** Actually, from everything I’ve seen on these Boards, Americans don’t have nearly as much freedom of religion as people like your co-worker think you do. You seem to have the freedom to belong to the religion of the majority. The angst I’ve seen on these Boards over clashes in beliefs has been very eye-opening for me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-psychopathically-pro-american-coworker-just-went-way-over-the-line/164341.md?page=4)