Some things…
Posted by Epijunky on December 7th, 2009 | 11 comments
You shouldn’t have to deal with.
You don’t have to deal with someone twisting your words into something inappropriate, once, twice, or repeatedly, while at work. Or anywhere.
That’s it, plain and simple.
And a female can be just as guilty as a male, so don’t bother leaving me a comment saying that women do it too.
Before you say something stupid, think about what you’re saying. If you wouldn’t want your child to have to hear it, then perhaps you should just keep it to yourself.
Just saying.
Be safe out there.
Comments
I’ve been around the EMS block enough times to have seen this sort of thing from a lot of angles. At best, playing with double entendres or worse is something done among trusted friends…and never in mixed company (including management, patients, families, ED and nursing facility staff, first responders, or coworkers who are not close, trusted friends).
I’m fortunate that my staff as a whole appreciate this and keep me out of it…and keep it from being something heard by others…they don’t want to put me in the position of having to mete out discipline; or hand the case off to HR…something that can easily happen when such word play goes too far.
I have to disagree with you there bobball. Deliberate twisting of what you have said to make out that you said something wrong/offensive/out of line is one thing, and is not appropriate, double entendres, however, are fair game whenever they come up (as long as patients/managers without a sense of humour aren’t about, or you’re not in a specific serious situation like a staff meeting)
Been there, done that. Got the t-shirt, ball cap, AND the sweatshirt. I guess some folks live some pretty dull lives.
Unfortunately, there’s a whole generation of young and old EMS newbies who think that its the proper way to talk amongst themselves and even around other healthcare professionals. I am surrounded by a whole group of immature children (and yes, folks they are actually children) who consider this to be professional! I have separated myself from the group to sit alone because I can’t learn in that kind of enviroment-can’t hear the professior for the pervertedness of the class- on the job- I ignore it- but when it interferes with my learning that’s a whole new ballgame!
Welcome to the world of public safety. It happens everywhere! JS
Are you talking about the adult humor that just shouldn’t be around kids? Like breaking out the “That’s what she said” card?
What Epi refers to is all to often thought of as being accepted because of the way we in EMS do talk to each other. However, for someone to offend someone else in EMS usually requires much more than just the usual banter we throw back and forth. For things to be said that are so far out that it is offensive, is not only wrong, but amazing that people think they can get away with it. Someone should never feel bad about having to report a situation like that to their supervisor, it is never wrong to take that step if someone feels that the things being said are completely inappropriate and wont stop. I hope things get better for you Epi.
It was far worse than “That’s what she said,” Kevin. It’s pretty difficult to offend me.
I agree with you Epi, there is some stuff that just goes way too far and people don’t get it. We had a medic who worked at our company who did that kind of thing all the time and finally was terminated for the attitude.
Somewhere along the way, our society lost its sense of propriety. If it can be twisted, it will, if it can be debased and made vulgar it will. We live in a world controlled by things like Rule 34 and the “pornification” of America. Kids aren’t being slapped across the mouth when they talk back and it creates adults who can’t keep their fool mouths shut long enough to learn anything. I’m as guilty as the next medic for making double entendres or off-color jokes, but I hope I possess the sense to keep my trap shut when it’s not the time or the place to say something.
And people wonder why EMS can’t make the next step to being treated as a profession; there are Neanderthals who insist on keeping the trash on the lawn.
Man, I sound like a codger. Now, if I can keep these damn kids off my lawn, it will be a good thing!
Jim Isbell,
I agree with you soooooo much! I can’t add anything that could agree more with you! That’s what I’ve been fighting all semester in my paramedic classes! Because despite all of the insistence of improving the profession no one really wants to and the younger generation picks up on it and carries it on!