Please read on, you may be able to give me an insight on this matter.
You have already read in previous posts how my new colleague and trainer (a young woman), spends her day being negative and complaining about everything. i consider that to be her issue, and distantiate myself as much as I can from all the pile of bullshit she throws at whoever may want to listen. As a psychologist, and without wanting to be patronizing in the least...I believe that she is very frustrated, manipulative and victimist...she creates her own illnesses just by thinking of them. For example: Last thrusday she was commenting on how she gets those horrible migranes that affect all her face etc. Suffering from migranes occasionally myself (though less and less I have to say), I could understand where she was coming from. Well......the next day she didnt come to work because of one of those sudden migranes....Not content with that she decides to undergo a series of tests to enlighten her about what exactly happens to her and why....ok....thats alright, I might do the same myself in her situation.
But here we go, that same Thursday someone commented that I smelled nice and that it was a new a refreshing addition to the office smells....well today, this woman has the cheek to ask me to follow her for a private meeting (bear in mind she is my colleague and equal, although she is training me and I appreciate it, she is not my boss), and proceeds to tell me really dramatically and as a victim that she is suffering a lot and believes it is my perfume giving her the migranes (bear in mind the migrane came on the friday while she was at home and stayed all weekend with her, therefore, i was not even there) and asked me to stop wearing it completely..... Now, I was irrate...I did not show it in the least, but she really did infuriate me, and as ridiculous as this sounds, I still am extremelly annoyed.
She said that out of respect for her I should not wear it. when I told her that I was not wearing any at all, she told me that then it must be my shampoo and or my washing powder...............errrrrrrrrrr......WHAT???? She caugh me off guard and I stupidly told her that I would not wear my perfume for a while until she got her results.
But now I am really fuming. To start with I have never had any complaints on how I smell, but exactly the opposite, always compliments. Secondly, I do not like strong perfumes myself and do not slather myself in the stuff. But Why on earthshould I stopped wearing it???? Who does she think she is? I can see it coming...next it will be the colour of my suit or my deodorant.....
I cannot accept that...I am truly sorry she has oversensitivity of smells, but I find her asking this very disrespectful, and would never dream of ayking anything of the sort to any of my colleagues, wether it bothered me or not. I believe that if she has a problem she should get it sorted with a doctor (or a psychologist), but I go to work to work, not to please her with my smells or clothes...
Now guys, I need your help! Am I completely in the wrong here? Am I right to feel offended? Please, be as honest as you like, I want to change this situation before it degenerates...as mum said: "Better become red once, that yellow a hundred days".
I was intending to wear my perfume tomorrow as usual (by the way I am a very higenic person, just so that it is clear), and wait for her to say something or go and talk to her straight.
What shall I do or tell her to resolve this situation in the best way possible (i dont want to be nasty, its not who I am, but i want to be firm) ???
Waiting eagerly for your replies and thanks in advance!!!
Big Hugs
comments
Advice...
In my opinion, you have every right to be angry, no one should tell you what perfume to wear, etc (it could soon end up what clothes and colours you can wear - no patterns or bright colours now, you'll bring on my migraines!). LOL!
I personally have never heard of a perfume, or any kind of scent bringing on a migraine (I do suffer from them myself), but I am not a medical expert, so I can't say for certain.
You could wear your perfume tomorrow as normal, and if she says anything (only if) then reply politely and calmly, that you do not believe your perfume will bring on a migraine. If she still goes on, say if she is having troubles with migraines perhaps she should see her doctor. Make sure you say politely and calmly (I know it would be very easy to shout or snap, I would want to).
The only reason any company could complain about your scent is if you had BO, I do not believe they could sack you or discipline you for wearing perfume. And as you say she is not your boss, I don't see as she can tell you to do anything regarding perfumes, shampoos or washing powders you use! If you are polite to her (however difficult that may be) she cannot go to your boss and complain, not even about your perfume.
That would be my advice! Hope it helps!
Dont give your power away
Hey E,
There is really only one thing we can control, and that is ourselves. You can't control how a coworker reacts to anything. In fact, you agreed its really her issue.
If I told you I would give you $1,000,000 dollars right this very moment for you to control the anger toward her, you could do it.
Anger robs you of your power, and only you can give permission for that to happen.
Forgive and forsake as quickly as you can. Your happiness (which is priceless) hangs in the balance.
You are an enlighten individual, so you already know the correct response and proper coarse of action. Right?
Its not what happens to you, its how you react.
Proceed forward with honor, respect, power and dignity!!!
timBER
Intentionally give her energy!
Ditto to the above,but also I find if I consciously (in secret)give that person energy,seeing it flow to them and through them before they take it from me. It leaves me with a compassionate feeling! Try it some time and let me know how it makes you feel! LOVE AND LIGHT-SAHNDRA