How to handle a boss that says "look at me when I'm talking to you"?

Question

My boss said something similar to this to me today and I was offended by that. It seemed very controlling and made me feel like I was being treated like a child. Do you feel like this was a rude thing for him to say? And what would you do in this situation?

Answer 1

_no_one_

Xper 7

Just look him in the eye with a dead stare, and focus on his forehead for a few seconds then back to dead stare, it makes the other person, uncomfortable.

Flower7

1 mo
I'll have to try that.
_no_one_

29 d
Thanks for the MHO.
U tried this? 👀
Flower7

29 d
Not yet lol

Answer 2

Flower7

I'll have to try that.

Answer 3

_no_one_

Thanks for the MHO.
U tried this? 👀

Answer 4

Flower7

Not yet lol

Answer 5

GoodGuyBreakingBad | 838 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

Yes @Flower7 What he did was rude towards you, my opinion I would just go to someone higher up then him if things get too hard for you

Flower7

1 mo
Good advice, thanks.
GoodGuyBreakingBad

1 mo
@Flower7 You're welcome :)
GoodGuyBreakingBad

29 d
Thanks For MHO :)

Answer 6

Flower7

Good advice, thanks.

Answer 7

GoodGuyBreakingBad

@Flower7 You're welcome :)

Answer 8

GoodGuyBreakingBad

Thanks For MHO :)

Answer 9

Jjpayne | 879 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

You embrace the moment by finishing it, then you either go to another manager or the GM and if it's the GM see if you can't find an HR department, if no HR department or phone number, it might be time to consider finding another place to work simply because, every employee deserves respect

Answer 10

sensible27 | 159 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Yoda

Generally it's not the thing itself sometimes maybe but the attitude surrounding that behaviour, maybe he felt you weren't accomodating to him it would be odd if he just said that randomly to anyone and everyone. Regardless sounds a bit harsh and your decision, you could tell him how you felt.

Answer 11

Tyrael | 54 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Yoda

It's not nice to hear but it is respectful to look at someone when they're talking to. Particularly a superior in a work setting, usually when you're getting a telling off.

You could always go find another job of course.

Flower7

1 mo
Well, we were sitting side by side at computers. So it was a natural thing for us both to be facing forward.

Answer 12

Flower7

Well, we were sitting side by side at computers. So it was a natural thing for us both to be facing forward.

Answer 13

KrakenAttackin | 159 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Guru

You either really fucked up and/or you have a shitty attitude at work. It sounds like your boss is close to shit canning your ass.

I think you should stop looking for a "safe space" and realize you are about to get fired.

Flower7

1 mo
I'll only be there until next Friday. This was just a temporary thing. The guy has told me that he had a problem with me since I first walked through the door. I think he just dislikes me, regardless of anything I have or haven't done.
KrakenAttackin

1 mo
In that case don't worry about it and don't use him as a reference.

Answer 14

Flower7

I'll only be there until next Friday. This was just a temporary thing. The guy has told me that he had a problem with me since I first walked through the door. I think he just dislikes me, regardless of anything I have or haven't done.

Answer 15

KrakenAttackin

In that case don't worry about it and don't use him as a reference.

Answer 16

Red_Arrow | 190 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

It is rude to not look at your boss when he is talking to you.

Flower7

1 mo
We were sitting side by side, working at computers, with a separation wall in between the conputers. I don't consider it rude in that situation. I was in an awkward position to try to twist my neck toward him.
Red_Arrow

30 d
If that is where you were sitting when he told you to look at him, you can tell him the same thing you just told me.

Answer 17

Flower7

We were sitting side by side, working at computers, with a separation wall in between the conputers. I don't consider it rude in that situation. I was in an awkward position to try to twist my neck toward him.

Answer 18

Red_Arrow

If that is where you were sitting when he told you to look at him, you can tell him the same thing you just told me.

Answer 19

AmeerX | 144 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Guru

I would be quite angry at that point. What really happened?

Flower7

1 mo
We were sitting side by side, using computers. He started talking, then got upset that I wasn't looking at him.
AmeerX

1 mo
I think he likes you
Flower7

1 mo
Lol if so this behavior is really immature.
Show All Show Less
AmeerX

1 mo
I think that's true. You are working and he is disturbing. What was the topic he was talking about?
Flower7

1 mo
Telling me I need to learn to find the answers to things myself instead of asking questions.
KrakenAttackin

1 mo
No, can't fucking stand her.
AmeerX

1 mo
That's a lousy thing to say. I mean we all need help at sometime or another.

Answer 20

Flower7

We were sitting side by side, using computers. He started talking, then got upset that I wasn't looking at him.

Answer 21

AmeerX

I think he likes you

Answer 22

Flower7

Lol if so this behavior is really immature.

Answer 23

AmeerX

I think that's true. You are working and he is disturbing. What was the topic he was talking about?

Answer 24

Flower7

Telling me I need to learn to find the answers to things myself instead of asking questions.

Answer 25

KrakenAttackin

No, can't fucking stand her.

Answer 26

AmeerX

That's a lousy thing to say. I mean we all need help at sometime or another.

Answer 27

blondfrog | 400 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

I would not want to work for a boss like that. I would quit.

Flower7

1 mo
Luckily I'll only be there for another week. This was just a temporary thing.

Answer 28

Flower7

Luckily I'll only be there for another week. This was just a temporary thing.

Answer 29

Tstrbrainer | 75 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Yoda

Depends on the situation.
If he was talking some official stuff during work hours, he can demand attention.

Otherwise, well, maybe tell him to mind his business

Answer 30

Hispanic-Cool-Guy | 406 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

You were being disrespectful by not making eye contact.

You not looking at him can be interpreted by him as you don't give a damn about what he is saying to you.

Flower7

1 mo
We were sitting side-by-side, working at computers at the time he started talking. Isn't it expected for us to both be facing forward in that situation?
Hispanic-Cool-Guy

1 mo
Turn your head then.

Answer 31

Flower7

We were sitting side-by-side, working at computers at the time he started talking. Isn't it expected for us to both be facing forward in that situation?

Answer 32

Hispanic-Cool-Guy

Turn your head then.

Answer 33

Sampan2017

Explorer

Take it easy
It's a eye to eye contact conversation in this situation you should be very confident what you talk

Answer 34

chriscdi | 431 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

peesonally i probably wouldve said some smartass shit

Answer 35

Tim-loves-it | 80 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Guru

Dont look at the boss' eyes, but right between them as if you were trying to dismantle their head.

Answer 36

pizzalovershouse | 319 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Guru

Say i have a bit of a hearing problem

Answer 37

COMMODOREII | 587 opinions shared on Education & Career topic.

Master

Thats odd. It sure seems that way.

How to handle a boss that says "look at me when I'm talking to you"?

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