A woman has called out her "unfriendly" coworker following an "embarrassing" incident that left her feeling like she was "back at school".
Taking to parenting forum Mumsnet, she sought advice after the awkward interaction, which happened on her first day at a new job. As she explained, there were two separate incidents that made her think her coworker was "unfriendly".
The first occurred on the train to her work, when the other woman "blankly" looked at her. Later on, in the staff lounge, the poster claimed her coworker made a comment on where she was sitting.
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The woman wrote: "Started a job in a new place yesterday, I saw a woman on the train this morning who I'd recognised from yesterday. So I smiled at her and she just looked at me blankly, fair enough she probably didn't recognise me.
"Anyway then I was in the staff lounge and there's a huge U-shaped sofa with tables which was totally empty. So I went and sat in the corner. She came over with a flask of tea and a sandwich and just went 'Oh I'm sitting there'."
She continued: "The room was almost empty, she could have literally sat on the same sofa with one of the other tables or gone and sat at one of the many other tables in the room.
"I just got up and moved and sat elsewhere." The woman added: "She didn't say anything.
"I wanted to say, 'Sorry has it got your name on it?' Felt so embarrassed and it was like being back at school.
"She hadn't left her coat or bag there, that's why I sat there as it was totally empty. She can't dictate where everyone sits."
Before long, the post had received dozens of replies from fellow Mumsnet users. While there was a range of opinions on how the woman should have handled the situation, most were in agreement that the coworker behaved poorly.
One wrote: "I think you just met one woman who is a bit stuck in her ways, every work place has at least 1 person like this. You will probably find other people think she’s odd too. I am sure there are plenty of other friendly people to speak with."
A second posted: "She's obviously nuts. Hopefully you find a sane workmate?" A third echoed: "She sounds like an a*******. I wouldn’t worry about it."
Another commented: "That is awful if you are new to a job, hopefully she is just the workplace weirdo and the rest of your colleagues are a bit more friendly and welcoming. Good luck in your new job."
However, some users felt that the woman was overreacting, with one stating: "Blimey you only been there one day, and judging already."
A second joked: "Classic mistake. In my experience some people have their seats in staffrooms and woe betide anyone else who sits there!!"
A third argued: "You sat where it sounds like she had been sitting so she let you know. That’s fine. I wouldn’t make assumptions on someone based on those two small interactions."
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