An update on my maga coworker

[happybird]

I do not bring up politics at work but he does. He is a loud ranter. About sooo many things: conspiracy theories, anti-gov’t, anti-corporation, anti-medicine, anti- everything, really, and he makes loud, unhinged, racist, sexist, bigoted claims about stuff like Michelle Obama and Julia Roberts being men. At first it was slightly amusing because I do enjoy characters, but it started bothering me pretty quickly because customers can hear him. And any opinions that differ from his are intolerable. Heck, we even had a heated debate about the lyrics of the song Ramble On (blatantly full of Lord of the Rings references…he either doesn’t know LotR and won’t admit it or just Can. Not. Be. Wrong. )

Anyhooo…
I think our manager told him to cool it after the election. The “cooling it” phase must be over because I heard an earful tonight. I don’t bother trying to discuss/correct/engage in any of his rants any longer. I just bite my tongue and let him go. Prior to the election I tore him up with facts and even had references booked marked on my phone to back me up on a number of magat-favorite bs talking points. No more. I just can’t. It’s not worth my stress and I sure as shit don’t make enough money to deal with it. Sad to say, since management is unconcerned with his inappropriate ranting, I don’t give a shit, either. This county voted red across the board so fuck them, too.

The sad, pitiful thing is he truly and sincerely believes TCF is going to make everything better as soon as the Inauguration is done. “Immediate, drastic price drops on everything, corporations put in their place and not favored by/working with the gov’t, health care, drug prices, millions deported….” There’s more. Like, everything will be miraculously perfect for the poor, forgotten, downtrodden, and put-upon white man. He whole-heartedly believes this and nothing will change he mind. He is incapable of critical thinking yet calls everyone else stupid and suckers.

WTF, man. These people are not normal.

I almost made a face leopard comment tonight but just held my tongue.
It is taking me a LOT of restraint to just let it go.
Serenity Now. SERENITY NOW!!!

[NameAlreadyTaken]

1. Let us know what he says on Day Two.

[happybird]

2. Oh, I will.

Cannot Wait.

If that makes me a bad person, so be it.

[wnylib]

51. There is a technique for dealing with narcissists, who also have the

trait of always believing they are right about everything. It might work on your co-worker.

It's called "grey rock." You say only what you need to in the course of the day. Be bland, neutral, superficially polite, and professional about it. You go grey and bland as a rock. Keep all your communications with him strictly professional and grey. No small talk. No disagreements. No feedback except the most minimal necessary to do the job. The rest of the time, ignore him as if he is not there.

He might escalate for a while in trying to get a reaction, but hold onto your grey rock behavior. He will give up when you don't give him any attention. He might turn to someone else and you will still hear him. Maybe keep a favorite tune in your mind to distract yourself from his rants.

With luck, maybe others will catch on to what you are doing and imitate it.

[MustLoveBeagles]

3. Sounds like an asshole

[Mariana]

10. Of course he's an asshole.

Decent people STFU about religion, politics, and their sex lives in the workplace.

[SheltieLover]

26. I couldn't agree more.

[Aristus]

4. I gave up hope for the lower orders a long time ago.

Those of us with functioning brains are a rare and vanishing breed.

[Phoenix61]

5. Those who know a storm is coming prepare,

those who don’t die. I could say I feel sorry for them but I’d be lying.

[JustAnotherGen]

38. This is our

Superpower.

We know the storm is coming - they don't.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. I REALLY hope, my dear happybird, that your job and the money you get for doing it, are making this . . .

all worthwhile!

He sounds like a bottom-dwelling jerk.

for you!

[happybird]

13. Thank you!

It is what it is. My other coworkers are great and it’s close to my house. Well, closer than anything else and it’s 20 min away. I don’t think it will be a long-term job, more like getting my toes back in the water after not working for 8 months.

[GreenEyedLefty]

7. My brother told me a story about a guy he worked with

My brother (may he RIP) was apolitical. Never discussed politics with anyone. Every now and again he'd say something to me, but only when we were alone.

He told me that there was a guy he worked with who would get in his face and try to start shit. The guy would get so worked up he would be shouting, red faced and spitting. Dave never reacted; he just kept working. Such bizarre behavior and sadly it seems to be very common.

What is really weird is now that Orange won the election, the anger seems to be ratcheting up. This is a phenomenon I do not understand.

[SoFlaBro]

12. I've noticed this fucking shit as well. MAGA fuckwads are even more angry than before. Cowardly little MAGA turds.

[Dan]

17. Since I'm retired,

I don’t have to deal with the MAGA crowd plus living the bluest of blue state.

But I’m wondering about your comment - they seem angry even after winning the election.

Do you think that they are afraid (can’t really expand on that, cause to me its a feeling I have)?

[happybird]

21. I think this guy is gloating and self-righteous

and just angry at the world, in general. I highly doubt anything will ever make him truly happy. I feel pity for him more than anything else.

[Mariana]

8. Take notes.

Just as simple as writing down that Coworker made prediction X on date Y at Z time. Don't even try to hide it from him, hell, ask him to sign off on it (he probably won't because he knows he's full of shit). It could be fun in the future when none of those things happen, and he denies that he ever said they would.

[happybird]

11. Ooo! I like it!

Thankfully, we only work together three nights a week so I’m free of him till Wednesday.

The List shall be started on Wednesday.

[Yavin4]

9. There are so many who scold Democrats about being "woke"

When it's far more common that a MAGA will be the loudest person. I've hardly ever been scolded by someone woke, but MAGA people cannot shut up about it.

[Hope22]

14. Document these rantings.

Who knows this guy may go off like a rocket and if you fear this you will need documentation! If you have HR talk to a rep about what the protocol is. He sounds wound way too tight! I’m sorry you have to deal with him. Stay safe!

[BWdem4life]

15. When none of it materializes

it will be the Democrats' fault.

No-win situation, arguing with a fool.

[happybird]

16. Exactly.

[flying_wahini]

18. I would smirk and snort and try to hide your smile when

He says it. They hate being laughed at. It will drive him crazy

[happybird]

22. I've perfected the raised eyebrow,

“can you believe I have to put up with this crazy mofo?” exasperated look that I can give to customers who hear him. Just the ones who have odd looks on their faces. Waaay too many agree with him or smile at his ranting. I never realized living in a red county would be so different. And, I’m literally minutes away from my old, blue county. It’s like night and day.

[AverageOldGuy]

19. Do not say a word

When the country turns to shit, do not say a word.

When the price of everything goes through the roof, remain silent.

No matter what happens, don’t say a word.

The worst thing that can happen to a person like that is to be ignored.

[markodochartaigh]

20. Never try

to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.

[usonian]

23. Good Lord.

He's going to get price hikes from tariffs, crap and spiraling medical care and drug costs, and hasn't got a clue that Microsoft, Bezos and skuM get fortunes from government business, and so many other things.

Through brainwashing. Does he refuse to touch money because it has "New World Order" written on it? In the end fantasy dies with reality, but there are times that it poisons reality for many others.

Cult membership always comes at a loss of identity, honor, money, opportunity, and often health and life, itself.



He'll find out WHO owns WHOM.

[NBachers]

24. I had a guy who was offensively obsessed against me at work. It got to the point where the company was going to get rid

of both of us, fault be damned, because that’s how they deal with this kind of situation

One day at home, agonizing over this, I sat back and said “God, I am stepping away from this situation and putting it in your hands.“

And in short order, the guy did something on my day off when I wasn’t even there. They suspended him and then let him go. And it had nothing to do with me.

Whatever your beliefs are, I found that stepping back and putting it in the hands of the universe and detaching myself from him and his issues led to a resolution in short order. I know this guy is in your face and you may not be able to completely detach yourself from him. But I’m just letting you know what worked for me.

[happybird]

25. Thank you.

Not engaging is the best option, I think, and hopefully he will be easier to ignore with practice. I’ve been trying to steer most of our conversations towards music because it’s something neutral we have in common due to similar tastes.

[usonian]

30. There's a very old book, like the PREVIOUS 20's, updated by others, called "The Game of Life and How to Play it"

It includes your "letting go" strategy.

The man who sends out only good‐will to his fellow‐man, and who is without fear, cannot be touched or influenced by the negative thoughts of others. In fact, he could then receive only good thoughts, as he himself, sends forth only thoughts. ...

Now, the resolution might have come from your idea to abstain, and the guy's venom found another target, dangerous for him.

It doesn't matter. His evil was reflected back on himself. "Life is a mirror"

I said in an earlier post:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19731813

Cherie Carter-Scott says:

Others are only mirrors of you.

You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself. Each reflection is an opportunity for growth.

Or as Cookie Fortune says: "A great wind comes from an empty cave"

https://www.drcherie.com/ten-rules-for-being-human/

[happybird]

33. I've accepted that he is something I cannot control

so I’m giving the whole situation, the stress, annoyance and worry, up to my Higher Power. Just letting it go. Although this may sound harsh, in the long run he is just meaningless little blip on the radar of my life and not worth stressing over.

[usonian]

36. Good for you.

His problem is not with you. He's disconnected from the source of good and from other people.

Peace and happiness. We don't always win, but our cause is just and compassionate.

[Beckett]

27. Not sure how big your company is but is there a legal counsel office?

Hate to sound this way but maybe a "customer" could call and complain?? It's not fair that you have to listen to his BS all day long. It's rude and disrespectful and INAL but seems like he's creating a hostile work environment.
Sounds like someone without a lick of sense. If he can go on like this at work, what's he like at home??

[happybird]

29. I've thought about it.

I’ve actually called out twice since the election and am definitely NOT one to ever call out of work. Just couldn’t handle listening to him while he was in his heavy gloating phase. So, I think that definitely qualifies as a hostile work environment.

Ironically, considering his hate of corporations, we work for a huge corporate grocery store chain. Our store is in a small town and I’ve only been there for about three months. He’s been there for four years. We have an issue retaining employees because the pay is low. If not for my living situation, or if I had kids, I wouldn’t be able to work there. It is an un-livable wage. He is single, in his 60’s, no kids, getting social security, and has been renting the same place for a decade so his rent is low. It’s hard to find willing, mature adults who can work for barely above minimum wage. The bottom line is we need him. He is a steady worker and actually makes my job easier (as far as the actual work goes). We are short staffed as it is and the applicants, not to mention the handful of new hires who have already washed out in the short time I have been there, are dismal.

This is a temporary job for me so I will just keep on plugging along until a nice, fine dining opportunity at an established restaurant with good management comes up.

He’ll still be there, ranting away, long after I’m gone.

[NBachers]

34. Keep working on finding better. As we all know, it's easier to find a job when you're working than when you aren't.

[hadEnuf]

47. Maybe the company is keeping him for the same reasons you just mentioned.

Once Trump starts screwing up the economy there will be more applicants and he may find himself out the door.

[dchill]

28. "Can. Not. Be. Wrong."

Common trait. 'Cause they seen it on Fox News!

[erodriguez]

31. Why not tell him to shut the fuck up?

That's what we do to assholes in NYC.

[NBachers]

35. Dat getsa rec!

[diane in sf]

32. MAGATs don't care about facts. And he will find some way to rationalize his orange god not delivering the goods.

[KS Toronado]

37. i'D BE ASKING HIM WHY HASN'T tsf ENDED BOTH WARS ALREADY

Sorry caps lock got on somehow.

[VegasVet]

39. Wish we could set reminders here.

This guy is going to be a study into a further descent into madness -- rather he realizes he's been bamboozled or goes further down the Trumpian shit shaft.

[hadEnuf]

48. People change real quick when stuff happens to THEM personally. Otherwise it isn't "really" happening.

This guy sounds like he really hasn't had to eat shit yet. All he has is his opinions. Lets see what happens when these slimeballs get a good dose of reality.

[BannonsLiver]

40. Try to undermine him and get him fired somehow.

[BrianTheEVGuy]

41. I'm always amazed by this stuff

I *never* discuss politics in the workplace. Waaaaay too much risk of conflict, and no benefit whatever to the discussion.

[TheKentuckian]

42. Update us again if the moron changes, is put away, or stops breathing our air.

Otherwise who gives a flying fuck what the hell they do on the day to day?

[DeeDeeNY]

43. What I don't understand about these MAGA idiots -

Did they not live through the years of TFG's last administration??? 2020 Covid pandemic? No decrease in immigrants and certainly no wall paid for by Mexico? Large tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy and not much else?? Not to mention that most of his cabinet and his previous vice-president refused to endorse him this time around??
Why do they worship him?

[hadEnuf]

49. Fox news took care of that. n/t

[Envirogal]

44. Why let it go?

You don’t have to deeply engage but a comment or two? Why even tell us about it otherwise? We KNOW what theee asshats are about and what they say. We have to fight back at least a bit to let them know they don’t own a mandate.

[wryter2000]

45. Thing is

He'll probably think everything is vastly improved on January 21. I doubt you could prove otherwise to him.

[Evolve Dammit]

46. SERENITY NOW!!! What a loud-mouthed, deluded, poor mo fo who will reap nothing in the long term. Stupid. Can't fix it.

[Jvp]

50. Waste of time

A wise person supposedly said, ‘cast ye not pearls before swine’
You think this applies to people like this?