Would you be insulted??? Updated

HearzBellz Posted: Sep 30, 2004 02:41 PM

Would you be insulted??? Updated

So I am at work today & I am having a huge problem with a web database service that our company uses. I had to call them six times today just to fix my login. ANYHOO...

So I tell her my name, which is a very long, very Italian name, and the idiot beatch from Colorado says 'what are you one of the Soprano's or something?' I flipped my lid...and I thought it was way out of line. I asked to speak with her manager & made a complaint. So my boss comes over & essentially told me I made too big a deal out of it...so...would you be insulted by her comment??????

UPDATE: The company called & oficially apologized & said they will not *charge* the company for the help call. The woman herself left me a long apologetic message on my voicemail. I called her back & accepted her apology.

Thanks all !!

don424 Posted: Sep 30, 2004 02:42 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

she was a tad out of line but i wouldn't have made a case out of it

BlondeJD Posted: Sep 30, 2004 02:47 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

I personally think it would be inappropriate to comment on the ethnicity of someone's name in that way. I definitely would've spoken with her supervisor.

Lisa Rose Posted: Sep 30, 2004 02:51 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

that is totally inappropriate...

suven Posted: Sep 30, 2004 02:53 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

Inappropriate comment! And, it was actually NOT a good idea for your boss to comment to you about being offended- especially because you were offended based on a racial comment...

didianita Posted: Sep 30, 2004 02:56 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

yes, it was very inappropiate (sp?)
how rude!

HearzBellz Posted: Sep 30, 2004 03:49 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

Posted by suven

Inappropriate comment! And, it was actually NOT a good idea for your boss to comment to you about being offended- especially because you were offended based on a racial comment...

hmmmm, I never thought about it that way....thanks suven

hbradio Posted: Sep 30, 2004 03:50 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

Posted by suven

Inappropriate comment! And, it was actually NOT a good idea for your boss to comment to you about being offended- especially because you were offended based on a racial comment...

I agree. Race is not something to take lightly in a work environment.

t Posted: Sep 30, 2004 03:56 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

Posted by hbradio

Posted by suven

Inappropriate comment! And, it was actually NOT a good idea for your boss to comment to you about being offended- especially because you were offended based on a racial comment...

I agree. Race is not something to take lightly in a work environment.

In todays society you have to watch your P & Qs, no matter what you do. I agree with what you did. I persoanlly would have made a light hearted comment about it as nicely as possible and ask fro her supervisor ans explain people do get offended and you really never know who you are talking to over the phone. Not to assume things

marymoon Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:24 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

I don;t know what I would ahve done, but I would have been offended. Of course these people in colorado have no idea about anything, so you have to amke it form where it comes, maybe. I don't know. I tend to hate that kind of thing.

Russo'sbride Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:27 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

That was an inappropriate thing to say. I would have been annoyed too.

MrsTC Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:39 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

I would have told her 'why yes I am and we have an opening at the Bada Bing if you are interested'

how rude of her!

TracyInQueens Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:40 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

That was extremely unprofessional.

PrincessRose Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:56 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

I'm with you Melani, she was out of line.

mrswask Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:59 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

Very inappropriate comment - I would have been mad too!

suezboss Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:59 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

Posted by suven

Inappropriate comment! And, it was actually NOT a good idea for your boss to comment to you about being offended- especially because you were offended based on a racial comment...

ditto.

gtsgirl Posted: Sep 30, 2004 04:59 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

I grew up in Colorado (until I was 12) and it is a different world. I would be offended, and I'm glad you spoke to that woman's supervisor. My mom still lives out there and every time I go visit they think I live in like some other world. They ask if it is really like in the movies, ask if I've ever really met people like Tony Soprano, ask if its really rough and tumble..but then again..people in NY ask if they still drive horse and buggies out there!!!

Xelindrya Posted: Sep 30, 2004 05:00 PM

Re: Would you be insulted???

I guess Im the odd one out.

I don’t think it was rude. Out of line? That depends she could have meant it to make a bad situation lighter. If I get repeated calls about something I usually want to lighten the mood as I’m sure it’s starting to annoy the caller that they need to call me so often to fix something.

I am an odd ball though since I don’t think ‘inferring’ all Italian names to a fictional TV show is a big deal. Just like I’m Hispanic and folks may want to compare my name to those of the movie “Traffic” I don’t care. I think I had someone ask since my name was Spanish, do all Latinas have such lovely forms as J-Lo. Which was said in a way to imply that he was asking if I had a big butt. A business call mind you. I said I wouldn’t know as there are too many “Latinas” to be specific but as long as my husband’s happy I don’t care.

I am annoyed more when they assume I speak Spanish or call me Mexican. Still not enough to make a big deal out of it.

You were frustrated by the time she said this, so I can see being upset. I don’t think as a Manager I’d have come over and told you that you were making a big deal of it. I’d ask what happened, hear your side and say well hopefully she learned her lesson. (and hopefully she did, by the way) End of story.