Co-worker sits "criss-cross applesauce" in meetings

[Anonymous]

That is a good point. How about just asking her nicely---

"I noticed you sit like that a lot. Do you have back or hip issues that make you need to sit that way?"

Several PP have stated reasons that they do this ---maybe she has one. If not and she says, "No, I just really liked kindergarten" then you have an opening to observe that absent a physical reason, other people might find it a little unprofessional.

[Anonymous]

I do it too. Helps my back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lawyer here--previously in Big Law, now in government--and I take my shoes off and sit crisscross applesauce whenever possible. Mostly in my office, but occasionally in meetings if I can get away with it. Sitting for long periods really hurts my knees, hips, and back, and sitting crisscross applesauce is the only way I can get comfortable. It never occurred to me that someone might be annoyed by it, and it certainly is not intended as some sort of statement of non-conformity. I'm just in pain.

Just saw this. I just wrote I do this. Must be funny. I’m a 50 yo litigation attorney. I spend so much time at my desk writing and reading. I love it. If I could only smoke cigarettes while working and have lots of coffee I’d never leave my desk!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Criss cross applesauce " ?

Are you kindergarten teachers?

I'm not sure why you care if an adult sits cross-legged. Unless she's showing her underwear or something. She says it keeps her from squirming during meetings, right? Maybe it would be better is she tapped or clicked her pen.

Sitting with your legs crossed means something else.

[Anonymous]

As a short person I can sit in normal chairs, but all bets are off on a couch. Couches are so ginormous these days my feet are a foot off the ground and my back starts aching quickly. I need to sit on my feet or rest them on the coffee table or I'm not staying long. I have a huge ottoman coffee table at my house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lawyer here--previously in Big Law, now in government--and I take my shoes off and sit crisscross applesauce whenever possible. Mostly in my office, but occasionally in meetings if I can get away with it. Sitting for long periods really hurts my knees, hips, and back, and sitting crisscross applesauce is the only way I can get comfortable. It never occurred to me that someone might be annoyed by it, and it certainly is not intended as some sort of statement of non-conformity. I'm just in pain.

Just saw this. I just wrote I do this. Must be funny. I’m a 50 yo litigation attorney. I spend so much time at my desk writing and reading. I love it. If I could only smoke cigarettes while working and have lots of coffee I’d never leave my desk!

They key here is that you said you did it at your desk and in meetings "when you can get away with it." You seem to have some understanding that it isn't professional and not acceptable in all settings. Although, having worked in both government and Big Law unprofessional behavior is much more acceptable in government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do this. It is the most comfortable for me. If I am at an interview or with people who are in positions much higher than me, then I don't, but with my boss and during regular staff meetings - I do.

MYOB. It's not hurting you.

Never done this at large and small companies I've worked for, and a multi-lateral bank.

Never seen anyone else do this either - not at internal or external meetings, not at lunch, not in their own office or cubicle.

OP's reaction is totally normal and this individual probably hates to conform to anything and gets her kicks this way.

Agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:What other option exists besides minding your own business? I mean, I’m being completely serious. She knows she’s doing it. You are likely the only one who cares. Are you going to report her?

It's highly unlikely that OP is the only one who cares. Lots of people she meets with would find this extremely unprofessional and distracting. If I were mentoring this person, I would tell her she ought to stop.

OP, what does the boss think?

OP here. I haven't brought it up to the boss, because I know it's really petty of me. Yes, yes. I know it's petty, but I still think she looks unprofessional. I think my boss has bigger fish to fry with this person's behavior, so how she sits in meetings is probably pretty low on her list of priorities.

So I get it. I'll MMOB about it. Can I still silently judge?

Sit back and let her skewer herself and her career.

Wow. You have a lot of hatred toward this person you don't know anything about, other than that she sits cross legged and wears long skirts.

+1 This post reflects far more negatively on OP than the coworker.

Disagree. Coworker is exhibiting lack of professionalism and poor judgment. Seriously, grow up and sit like a grown up and not a kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is petty, but I'm so perplexed by my coworker's behavior. She joined our office about a year ago, and since she first started she will occasionally sit cross-legged or with her legs up in her chair during staff meetings. It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. We work in higher ed, so this is not exactly "Big Law" levels of formality. But why oh why would anyone look so unprofessional in a meeting? I mentioned something to her about it and she said, "It keeps me from squirming during meetings." I know I should let it go, but she's done this in front of higher level administrators at the university. What would you say to a coworker who was doing this? Or should I just MMOB?

Was she a K teacher in some progressive play-based school where all the ADHD kids sit on balls supposedly to help them learn, listen, and pay attention more? In reality they are not paying attention more, and all the other kids want to play on the bouncy ball chairs too.
Yeah, that's higher ed nowadays. Super to see it's bled into millennial hiring and productivity and professionalism as well.

There are less "look at me" ways to "keep from squirming during meetings." Immaturity at it finest.

[Anonymous]

In my day this was called sitting Indian style. But I guess that's not PC these days. I'm only 32.

[Anonymous]

Eight pages of almost everyone continuing to use "criss cross applesauce"?! I mean, it is charming of you, but we do have an adult expression for this, it's "sitting cross-legged." Contrary to what a PP said, it is not the same as "sitting with your legs crossed," which implies gracefully hooking one leg over the other. "Sitting cross legged" = criss cross applesauce. Google image it, people.

[Anonymous]

I sit that way at my desk all the time. I am short and my feet don’t touch the floor otherwise.. I don’t do it in meetings but I will often sit on one leg - I am too uncomfortable and will wiggle and constantly readjust.

I wouldn’t worry about though. It seems really picky and petty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the workplace, I always like to ask myself: WHAT WOULD A MAN SAY OR DO?

And then I have my answer.

Yes, what would a man do here?

[Anonymous]

When men stop man-spreading, OP can start worrying about her female coworkers sit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the workplace, I always like to ask myself: WHAT WOULD A MAN SAY OR DO?

And then I have my answer.

Yes, what would a man do here?

I would say that’s cool. Bonus points if she’s hot.