# Work is no place for emotion **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745 "2012-09-25T03:53:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/21 "2012-09-25T15:13:41Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I’m not a vulcan, but fuck your feelings. I never want to hear about them or see any visual displays thereof. Every time someone cries at work, I secretly wish they would die. Secretly, because outward expressions of emotion at the office are not okay. If I weren’t at work right now, I’d tell you that I love you. ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/22 "2012-09-25T15:26:19Z")
Come on now, strategic crying is an extremely powerful weapon which you can use to great effect if you have the balls to do it (and that goes triple if you’re male) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/23 "2012-09-25T15:38:08Z")
On the one hand, humans aren’t automatons, and I’d wonder about someone who showed no outward reaction to, say, getting a call about the death of a family member or something. On the other hand, having to hear someone whine about every petty grievance in their personal lives is seriously unprofessional. As with all other things, there’s a balanced middle. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/24 "2012-09-25T16:00:45Z")
The professional way to cry at work is to go do it in the bathroom during your masturbation break. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/25 "2012-09-25T16:05:01Z")
But then when am I supposed to masturbate? On my SMOKE break? 'Cos that’s just _crazy_. ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/26 "2012-09-25T16:16:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > But then when am I supposed to masturbate? On my SMOKE break? > > 'Cos that’s just _crazy_. Just cry while you masturbate like the rest of us. Geeze. Anyways, I fully support this pitting. Yes, emotions happen, and you can’t always control that; but for fuck’s sake, you can at least ACT professional until after work. And that goes for anger as much or more than sadness. Work is where you make decisions, and you need to calm the fuck down first. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/27 "2012-09-25T16:17:47Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > But then when am I supposed to masturbate? On my SMOKE break? > > 'Cos that’s just _crazy_. What, you can’t smoke with only one hand? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/28 "2012-09-25T16:20:35Z")
It’s not easy for the shop steward to check management’s impingement on the masturbation break. “Down Tools!” is misinterpreted. ---
**Author:** ![destineal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@destineal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/destineal)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/29 "2012-09-25T16:31:17Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Next, people who were not formally drama queens, start getting into the action too. You should see my formal drama queen outfit. The Crown Jewels are breathtaking! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/30 "2012-09-25T16:35:58Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I’m not a vulcan, but fuck your feelings. I never want to hear about them or see any visual displays thereof. Every time someone cries at work, I secretly wish they would die. Secretly, because outward expressions of emotion at the office are not okay. Preach it all day long because you have never once lied. I’ve actually been noticing that society in general seems to be growing increasingly emotional. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s become more socially acceptable to talk about feelings (maybe because of all of the anti bullying campaigns?) or what, but it’s been noticeable imho. So, I’m not surprised that this has been happening in professional environments increasingly, too. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/31 "2012-09-25T16:51:38Z")
Just reading this thread makes me tear up … but … ☹ I’m working … at home … _runs wailing into the street…_ ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/32 "2012-09-25T17:12:25Z")
> [@runcible\_spoon](#): > > Just cry while you masturbate like the rest of us. Geeze. Jesus, thank you. Why is this so hard? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/33 "2012-09-25T17:49:43Z")
I have a challenge for all those who believe that emotions have no place in the workplace. Check your anger at the door. Seriously. Anger, especially in management, seems to be the one acceptable emotion. Can’t cry, can’t be overly happy, can’t be stressed out, but goddamn it, I can be as angry as all fuck over tiny little shit and call people all sorts of shit as long as I’m a MANAGER!!! How about no. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/34 "2012-09-25T17:55:38Z")
The only time I’ve ever seen someone cry at work was on Sep. 11, 2001. And that was pushing it. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/35 "2012-09-25T17:59:32Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > So there’s no crying at work > There’s no crying in baseball > There’s no crying at a party, even if it’s your own, and even if you want to. > > So when’s a good time to cry? When it’s Judy’s turn. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/36 "2012-09-25T18:07:14Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > The only time I’ve ever seen someone cry at work was on Sep. 11, 2001. > And that was pushing it. And I think we can all agree that’s a perfectly acceptable time to become upset at work. Or if you get a call that your kid died. Or you’ve got cancer. Or whatever equally serious thing is happening. Crying because someone was mean? Crying because work is hard? Crying because a client corrected you? Crying because you’re on your period and people don’t understand how haaaaaaaard it is? Unacceptable. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/37 "2012-09-25T18:21:48Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I have a challenge for all those who believe that emotions have no place in the workplace. > > Check your anger at the door. I’m not sure why you think it’ll be such a challenge for people who are not okay with huge displays of emotion at the workplace to refrain from making with huge displays of emotion at the workplace. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/38 "2012-09-25T18:36:01Z")
OK. How? Seriously. If I get angry or frustrated, especially if it’s at myself, I cannot stop the waterworks. It is completely out of my control, no matter how much I try to keep it from coming my body betrays me. (I then get even more frustrated at myself for crying, which just makes a vicious circle.) It’s not a desire to create drama, or to be the center of attention - quite the opposite, it’s embarassing and I hate it. It just seems to be my body’s reaction to certain kinds of stress. I would love to stop, it would make my life easier. So tell me, you hotshots, how do I do it? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/39 "2012-09-25T18:43:05Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I’m not sure why you think it’ll be such a challenge for people who are not okay with huge displays of emotion at the workplace to refrain from making with huge displays of emotion at the workplace. Because some people think that it’s not okay to display “girly” emotions (sadness, anxiety, etc.) in the workplace, but think it’s perfectly fine to make a huge display of a “manly” emotion like anger. IOW, you can yell and scream as much as you like, but don’t you dare cry. I used to cry all the time at work – in the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745/40 "2012-09-25T18:52:37Z")
Really? People think it’s okay to scream at the office, wtf? If anything, I’ve seen a higher tolerance for wimpy crying than I have shouting. It’s all bad in my eyes, but to the extent being unable to control your shit is tolerated, it’s usually with “girly” displays of feelings, like tears. I’ve never been anyplace where you’re not immediately reprimanded for goddamn _screaming_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-is-no-place-for-emotion/635745.md?page=3)