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The work environment requires not only for us to be polite but also use professional jargon that can be confusing and not quite necessary. But that’s just corporate culture and people go with the flow, creating over the top, politically correct ways of saying things that in real life would be said as bluntly as possible to make sure the other person got it.

Not all of us have the gift of coming up with intricate ways of hiding their true feelings behind layers of seemingly respectful words that couldn’t offend people, but we have our virtual work bestie to help us.

She created a fun TikTok series in which she gives her colleague some phrases to translate into professional jargon and it is quite impressive how a casual phrase filled with annoyance can be turned to something sounding so civil.

More info: TikTok

#1

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tw 72
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also like: "F@ck around and find out" as "I don't think that course of action will provide the results that you expect"

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The virtual work bestie, or loewhaley on TikTok and Instagram, is actually Laura Whaley, an IT consultant from Toronto, Canada. She now has 1.7 million people following her on TikTok and 1.4 million followers on Instagram.

On her social media, Laura is known for her work-related content. She started creating videos in 2020 when a lot of workers moved their offices to their homes and had to adapt to a new style of working. She based her videos on the challenges that rose from such a sudden change and people loved her sense of humor and relatability.

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Aussie Bloke
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't begin to tell you how much I HATE corporate jargon and buzzwords.

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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sometimes explain why it won't work. Among the approaches: "These are my concerns: "; "If you go with that idea, these are the issues that can come up".

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You could say that her most successful videos are the ones titled “How Do You Say” that turned into a full series. The videos are garnering millions of views and people are very impressed with the knowledge they get.

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In this series, Laura sits in front of the computer and she asks her colleague who is on the call to translate various phrases into professional language to sound polite and not to offend anyone.

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Celesta
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would alter that to say "will not be acknowledged". Obviously, it may be seen (text messages ect), but that doesn't mean it has to be acknowledged.

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The colleague quickly comes up with witty and intricate phrases to express your frustrations, because we all think about them, but have to restrain ourselves from sounding them off as they are in our minds.

Not only does he make the phrases not sound mean and make you feel as if you're talking with an intelligent person, he also makes the sentences unnecessarily long. Molly Young, a writer for Vulture, says that “the point of these phrases is to fill space. No matter where I’ve worked, it has always been obvious that if everyone agreed to use language in the way that it is normally used, which is to communicate, the workday would be two hours shorter.”

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Person
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I greatly appreciate your ability to wait on an answer for this...

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Sheyanne Valiante
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't work somewhere we have to be professional so I shorten it to "you're gonna have to talk to [Boss] about that"

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Richard Black
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ask so many questions because I'm not confidenr making suggestions on how to proceed. Sorry !!

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However, it is hard to not pick up such language in the workplace if it’s used there, even though people don’t really like it or even understand it all. Bored Panda has an article on various buzzwords people hate hearing at work and a couple of HR experts’ opinions on the topic.

It may be that people despise corporate language, but they love the videos as they show the absurdity of it all. They are also quite useful because sometimes you don’t have a choice but to adapt to the lingo that is common to use in a company.

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Elliot Love
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Yes, we discussed this possibility at the meeting on Monday" (or whenever you had that discussion).

Blackstone
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't feel like this "professional" version was far enough removed from the original. The fact is that if they didn't listen to you the first time, pointing out that you were correct is not going to make them listen the next time. I think the best course of action here is not to say I told you so in any form and just let them continue to suffer the consequence of not listening to you, if the person is your boss. If the person is at your same job level or under your management, then It's an entirely different scenario in which the statement that needs to be translated is "I get input in this and you need to listen when I speak".

Jason Bartl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As per my email on [date] this could have been captured in contingency.

Person
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As per my previous notions, this resulting event did not go unpredicted by me.

Toddo Colorado
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2 years ago

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Toddo Colorado
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2 years ago

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weatherwitch
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh this is so polite and tactful for I bloody told you this would happen 🤣🤣🤣

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The series has been going strong for quite a while and it seems that Laura won’t be running out of ideas because the comments are full of suggestions on what to translate next.

What do you think of these translations? Will you try and incorporate them in your own workplace? Which one was your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

#12

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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It takes me a bit longer than most people to write an email: I organize the info and questions, reread it, edit, space it, bold and use colour if that helps. I don't like getting a lot of emails back and forth. I'd rather spend more time composing one and less on sorting a zillion emails.

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Zophra
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If nothing else, you have a copy of that communication that you tried if an authority tries to pin the blame on you for an uncompleted project.

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Jason Henninger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please see my prior correspondence, attached below, for the information requested....

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Jason Henninger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The details of your project are unclear. Please provide clarification as to scope, impact and timeline for deliverables.

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Brenda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm unclear about this. Would you please explain how you came to this conclusion/explain your reasoning?

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Brenda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry we have been unable to connect. Please let me know when is a better time to contact you and your preferred method of contact. I'm happy to work with your schedule

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#31

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#32

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Brenda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel we need to discuss ways we can feel respected and stay professional

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Brenda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too many emails on the same subjects can be confusing. Let's email only when new & pertinent updates are available to lessen confusion

#34

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#36

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Brenda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have attached my earlier email with the information you requested

#38

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Jason Henninger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was not included in the planning for this project and not aware of the abbreviated timeline...

#39

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Brenda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please efer to my earlier emails (attached). I believe you will find the information you need

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