Woman Requests Older Co-Worker to Cease Using 'Condescending' Nickname, but He Claims She's Overly 'Sensitive'

A professional dispute arose when a woman objected to a nickname her older co-worker used, which she found demeaning. Upon asking him to stop, he dismissed her feelings, calling her overly sensitive and easily offended.

Workplace nicknames can sometimes blur the line between friendliness and disrespect. On Reddit, a 32-year-old woman shared her experience after joining a team where most members are in their 40s and 50s. Despite being the youngest, she was initially comfortable with the age difference.

Her discomfort began with a nickname her 58-year-old colleague consistently used: kiddo. She explained, At first it was occasional, which I could tolerate, but it soon became constant.

She described several instances where the term was used in ways that singled her out: Dont worry, kiddo, well handle the complicated parts. Kiddo, can you grab the notes from earlier? Its cute watching you learn, kiddo. She noted that younger male colleagues were never addressed this way.

The issue extended beyond the office. During a client meeting, her colleague interrupted her presentation, saying, Let me explain, kiddos still catching up. While others laughed, she felt humiliated.

Afterward, she approached him politely, asking him to use her name instead. His response was defensive: Wow. Sensitive much? Its an affectionate term. Learn to take a joke. He then referred to her as one of those easily-offended types to another coworker, leaving her feeling like the uptight new employee.

Seeking perspective, she turned to the Reddit community, asking if her reaction was justified. Many commenters supported her stance, describing her colleagues behavior as unprofessional and potentially harmful to workplace culture.

One comment read, This is extremely unprofessional and contributes to a toxic environment. If it makes you uncomfortable, report it. Another emphasized, Hes being misogynistic and unprofessional. A third suggested a humorous tactic, but ultimately warned, Dont do this. Report to HR and document everything, as this could impact your career if the behavior continues.

Author: Chloe Ramirez