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OK, I get it. You're a funny guy. A bubbly personality. A born entertainer who is going to conquer the country with his standup program. But for the love of life, you're my Uber driver and I don't want to hear any more of your knock-knock jokes. Especially if my date is with me in the back seat and your stupid two-liners are funnier than everything I told her this evening. Some of us just can't seem to understand when we're socially inclined to keep it professional! So to remind everyone to stay on their best behavior, Bored Panda has compiled a list of dentists, professors, and others who didn't. Too-da-loo!

#1

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

The email my sister got from a landscaping company job she applied for vs. The one she sent back

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We cross each other's lines all the time. And not just online. According to Chester McNaughton, a registered professional counselor who specializes in boundaries, anger management, and dysfunctional relationships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, boundary violations typically fall into three categories: aggressive, passive-aggressive, or accidental.

Aggressive violations, for example, include shoving and hitting; damaging property; exerting control over someone’s time or money; making threats; taunting and hurling insults.

#4

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Amy Pattie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is probably an accident but it’s definitely one of the funnier ones!

TheDivineMsM
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this "really inappropriate " as the heading of the thread states

A B C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry, BP authors tend to forget what list they're composing in the middle of it... That's just normal at this point.

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Not-very-graceful
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be screaming too if I worked for a company with an ad like that.

DC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, seems kinda believable to be unpurposedly made...

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Passive-aggressive violations include interrupting; gossiping; giving the silent treatment, and assuming you know what someone thinks, needs, or wants.

For instance, we might tell someone: "you don't really believe that, you're too sensitive, why are you making such a big deal?" Susan Orenstein, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, and relationship expert, explained.

Accidental violations (like the "meatballs" DM that IKEA sent to a random Twitter user) include bumping into someone or stating an opinion respectfully, but finding out that the other person finds it offensive, McNaughton said.

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There are many reasons why we don’t respect someone else’s boundaries. For example, we might’ve been raised with different expectations. Even physical touch is something that different families treat in different ways. Some of us like to hug and kiss when we say hello while others believe that shaking hands is perfectly sufficient. Same thing with words!

But if you want to avoid acting like the 'heroes' of this list, here are several suggestions for respecting other people’s boundaries:

  • Focus on respect. McNaughton stressed the importance of seeing others as “simply human.” Remember that everyone has thoughts, feelings, plans, dreams, and hopes, he said. Remember that everyone wants to be heard and accepted as they are, he said.
  • Listen fully. Listen to another person with the goal of truly understanding them, Orenstein said. “[L]isten to care about them,” McNaughton said. Don’t interrupt, “resist what’s being said or think of what you’re going to say next,” Orenstein said. She also suggested practicing the silent pause: “Completely wait until the other person is finished speaking, take a breath, pause and then respond … You’ll be making space for the other person to express him or herself and get out of the habit of reactivity.”
  • Listen for verbal cues. Some verbal cues may be obvious, such as another person saying “I’m uncomfortable sitting so close to you,” or “I’ve asked you before to knock before you come in my house,” Julie de Azevedo Hanks, LCSW, founder and executive director of Wasatch Family Therapy, said. Others may be subtle, such as “changing the subject in the midst of a conversation to something less emotionally vulnerable.”
  • Pay attention to body language“[B]ody language often speaks louder than words,” Hanks added. She shared these examples: If someone has their arms folded while they’re talking to you, they might not be open to what you’re saying. If someone is stepping back every few minutes, you might be standing too close and invading their personal space.
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The key is mindfulness. We're often simply unaware of what we’re doing and how our actions impact others.

#7

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Droopsnoot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems like he really doesn't see the problem. Well he's learning it the hard way

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#8

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Madison Feehan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just too creepy. Something needs to be done that encrypts customer phone numbers or something because this is really NOT COOL to be doing to people (usually women).

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#9

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Caro Caro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pharmasist is wrong and mentions his family as if it's not his fault but the woman's. And that last sentence is a bit snarky.

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#13

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

My friend asked me if this message from her 53yr old landlord was creepy

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#19

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

My Coworker.. He’s 58 And I’m 20

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Caro Caro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no, the "not like the other guys" text. This preditor needs a kick in the balls. 58 yo texting this to a 20yo. Shame on you, you dirty old man.

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#21

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Anna Banana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't see anything inappropriate about this. Mistake was made, company apologized, life can move on.

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#23

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Pungent Sauce
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because Julie works for Alaska Air, not the TSA at JFK. Not much mystery there.

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#26

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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H Edwards
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes you can hit the wrong one by accident, I've definitely done it.

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#28

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why wouldn't you tell your driver where you're going? Sure, his response was catty, but so was hers.

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#29

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the question answered and it must be reassuring to know that a possible stalker knows your phone number.

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#35

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he was just trying to be light-hearted and put a smile on your face. A bit like when you order online for pizza, and they give you funny messages about the progress of your pizza from prep to delivery and all the stages in between 'Just peeked into the oven. The cheese is bubbling nicely. Should be done in about 15 minutes'

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#36

Inappropriate Messages From People Who Should Be Professional

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Susie Elle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry but the student seems to be the inappropriate one here (or a little disrespectful)

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