Upset by Coworker

[Anonymous]

“I hope it’s not bothering you”

[Anonymous]

“I don’t discuss personal matters. If it’s a technical issue, I can adjust my audio volume” Deadpan expression; no details.

[Anonymous]

It is a clueless response and if it bothers you, call it out. You do not need to mention what you have, just point out its rude to comment on how you talk.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious whether this a$$hat made this comment in front of other people on the call, or was it just to you? It would be even worse if they embarrassed you in front of others. Or do they think they are your mother and expect you to confide in them? Next time you see them, tell them they smell like they are wearing Depends.

[Anonymous]

What an idiot.

I’d send them an email - hi idiot, you inquired a couple of times last week about whether I am wearing a retainer. No, I am not. I have a speech impediment, I think that is what you are noticing.
And that’s it. Don’t offer anything else, etc.

[Anonymous]

“No Jimbo, no retainers, I just have a speech impediment.”

Then silence. Do not apologize, or offer further explanation or accommodation. Just let him sit with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Invisalign causes a lisp too, so you could claim that if you wanted. But you don’t owe them an explanation.

When someone is this rude, I’ll say, “What on earth would make you ask that?” And then stare them down.

I wore invisalign during the pandemic. I had somewhat of a lisp.

However, I would record the meetings. Or you can use closed caption so no one has problems understanding what anyone says.

[Anonymous]

I am confused. Do you have a lisp or do your dentures cause the lisp? If it’s the dentures, if they are new to you, is the lisp due to an adjustment period?

[Anonymous]

I work with a program manager who has a voice I can't stand. I can't understand his flat affect, no intonation, and no inflexion. When he leaves a voice-mail, it's translated to text. And from his name to almost every word, the text is garbled because he doesn't speak clearly.

Have you tried recording your speech to text, out of curiosity to see how many words you speak?

[Anonymous]

Maybe work on your speech more since you are clearly selfconscious about it. Speech therapy is a thing.

[Anonymous]

Is your colleague from a different culture? Definitely see it happening as part of cultural cluelessness.
I would’ve direct and say yes I have a medical device in my mouth, if you must know!

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why you didn’t just say something. Or just circle back and say hey Larla, I just wanted to let you know that there is a medical reason why it sounds like I have a retainer and there’s no need to comment on it in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work with a program manager who has a voice I can't stand. I can't understand his flat affect, no intonation, and no inflexion. When he leaves a voice-mail, it's translated to text. And from his name to almost every word, the text is garbled because he doesn't speak clearly.

Have you tried recording your speech to text, out of curiosity to see how many words you speak?

This is interesting! (Outside the OP issue). The translations of so many of my voicemails are like 50/50. I wonder how I would stack up? I speak slow(er) and clear(er) at work, esp. with int'l colleagues. But notice that many people say

"iown know"
for I don't know. Easy for natives. Not so easy for others.

[Anonymous]

That is so incredibly rude and I would definitely say something to him off line.

That being said, are you sure your dentures are a good fit? Maybe your dentist can adjust them to make them fit better?

[Anonymous]

This brings me to tears. I’m so sorry OP that your coworker is rude. Maybe just tell her she is rude.