Social Skills and hate

Postby zcudah » Mon Jan 25, 2016 3:54 am

How do I deal with being the butt of cruel workplace jokes?
I have social anxiety, and this further leads me to feel an inability to do anything about what they say
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#1

Postby Richard@DecisionSkills » Mon Jan 25, 2016 12:08 pm

Your question is a bit vague.

In general you just ignore it. If the jokes actually violate a policy or law you can go to human resources. You can also can consider applying for a promotion or transfer. You can also consider looking for a different company where you might be a better fit. And you can talk with your direct supervisor if you want.
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#2

Postby JuliusFawcett » Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:04 am

Can you learn to accept whatever people say as nothing personal?

It is only information about who they are and nothing to do with you.

Your response is who you are.
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#3

Postby Ardencaple » Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:53 pm

Begin the journey of self-acceptance (you may need support with this from counselling / close friends / family)

From this place of strength start confronting what people are saying at the point it's being said. Your anxiety at its root stems largely from your lack of tools to tackle the rubbish being thrown at you.

Away from the situation and the heat of the moment you need to come up with responses that address what is being done and said so that when something actually comes up you are prepared with something that asserts your authority in a way that comes from a place of security but does so in a way that tackles head on the power games that are being played at your expense.

Your anxiety will ease when you start taking back the ground that people have been stealing from you.

It may be that a new work environment will ultimately be for the best. You can use your current workplace as practice at the very least. It's hard to redefine existing dynamics once these are already established so accept that this may be the case but use your current workplace to flex your muscles a bit and then use that confidence somewhere new if those around you are unable to relate to you in a new way that respects the new boundaries that you put in place.

I have some practical tips on this if you want to find out some more, happy to share further
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#4

Postby zcudah » Mon Feb 01, 2016 5:58 am

It just was not possible, in my situation at all. I had no choice but to quit and seek employment elsewhere.
I worked on a oil rig 13 hour days for 20 days straight in a remote site, no interaction from anyone other than employees, and your life becomes work , and you cant escape it, most people can go home at the end of the day, and destress, I couldnt go home, and when i did get days off, I did not enjoy them, because every second was a second closer to going back. I caused myself to spiral almost out of control. I would have dreams and thoughts about how to seek revenge constantly on my days off, I just couldn't go back.
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#5

Postby JuliusFawcett » Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:42 am

Have dreams and thoughts about a future you would like to move towards and then take the next step towards it.
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#6

Postby tijmenklip » Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:36 pm

Try to find a new way to destress. I get that being offshore is quite intense. It can be pretty rough, especially the drilling guys. But in your spare time, learn to decouple. Find ways to put your mind on something else.

Meditation, simple exercise, reading, or whatever might work for you. This way you can decouple your mind a bit. Make this a practice.

Than try to think how you can have a better reaction to the cruel jokes. Offshore is a rough culture. Were people look for the weakest link to exert their own power. Learn to ignore it, be above it. It is only fun for them if you feel screwed over. And you are only humiliated - if you feel humliated. So next time if someone bullies again - take a few deep breaths - decouple your first reaction of feeling humiliation - breath steadily out and ignore it. It is no fun for them if you are not affected.

I hope by finding a way to not be affected by the bullying you can have less social anxiety! Good luck!
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