The Saga of The Triggering Pen: How Much Should We Walk on Eggshells at Work?
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"I told my colleague that she can't expect everyone to make an effort to avoid "triggering" her?"
The Gist
Alright, let's talk about a crazy little story that's been making the rounds. Imagine this: You're at work, you take out a pen to cross off some to-dos, and suddenly you're plunged into an awkward debate about triggers and sensitivity. Yup, that happened to two coworkers, one who used to be severely obese and the other who battled anorexia. Sounds like a recipe for some serious tension, right?
What Went Down
Here's the quick rundown. Our narrator (let's call her Jane) used a pen with a weight loss group logo on it. Rosa, her coworker, spots the logo and asks Jane to use a different pen because the weight loss stuff triggers her. Jane's pretty much like, "Um, it's just a pen. You're gonna see a lot of stuff out there that'll bother you, you can't dodge it all."
Some Extra Deets
Jane later explained that the pen isn't a big deal to her; it was just a convenient tool. Also, Rosa's past issues with anorexia are legit, so no, she's not making it up for drama. Oh, and for what it's worth, Rosa didn't take this up to management, and Jane has since stopped bringing the pen to work.
The Big Debate
So, who's in the wrong here? On one hand, Rosa asking for a tiny change doesn't seem like much. But Jane also has a point: we can't go around bubble-wrapping the whole world just to avoid triggering someone.
The Real Talk About Triggers
The drama brings up a pretty important convo we should be having. How far should we go to be mindful of what might upset others, especially at work? Sure, everyone wants to be respectful and inclusive, but does that mean we need to scrutinize every pen, mug, or T-shirt we bring into the office? Where's the line?
Moving On
Jane decided not to bring the "triggering" pen back to work, even though she still thinks Rosa's gonna have to get used to seeing stuff that bugs her. It's like a mini-compromise, you know? Maybe it’s not about who wins the debate, but about learning to meet halfway.
So, next time you pick up a pen, maybe you'll think twice—or maybe you'll just jot down your grocery list and call it a day. Either way, let's not let the small stuff divide us; we've got bigger fish to fry.