Inconsiderate People

[NickieAnn_25]

Man this has been by biggest beef with being diagnosed as a diabetic. People are so inconsiderate of other people. It doesn't bother me to see other people having what I can't have. What kills me is that they ask if I want any then laugh and say wait you can't have it because it would not be good for you. I have to watch myself and not get ugly with them and tell them where they can go. My boyfriend is pretty good about it, I actually buy him chocolate so he can have it. It's the people that I work with that drives me nuts. Most of them understand what it's like for me to be changing my lifestyle. But others just don't care. And it drives me nuts, because if something was wrong with them, I wouldn't tease them about not being able to have something. I do have to say though the employees at my job who do care, are the best. They make sure that I eat and test my sugar when I am at work. They keep me in check when I tend to forget to do it myself at times.

I try my best to not lose my cool but at times I just can't do it. I get ugly and really mad. Then it just makes things worse, but you would think that people would understand. Any ideas on how to deal with this situation? I have enough on my mind that i don't need to worry about losing my job because I lose it at work. Just so you know, I'm an Assistant Manager for Domino's Pizza.

[ant hill]

Yeah I know what you mean and you should look at this whinge thread. (http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/chit-chat/16828-a-guide-to-dealing.html)
I find it so synonymous with the attitude of some people. :mad:

[mg_2204]

But others just don't care.

To be nice and considerate and compassionate is not everyone's cup of tea I guess? As if money wi££ be taken out of their pay cheque if they are found guilty of nicessness...!!!

It used to bother me a lot. I'm the kind of person who thinks being considerate and compassionate is a must if you're not a hermit. I try to focus on the wonderful people I meet instead of the others.

The very best to you!

[Holly]

Unfortunately, those that make those comments may have them directed towards them later in life. Very few of us get through life totally healthy without some disease process to deal with. Just remind yourself that it is YOU that is eating the healthy way.

[mzteacher]

i guess for me i don't understand telling people....i have only told one person at work....i have been surprised when other people that really don't know me well have told me...and then i see at parties others telling them they should not have some thing....so far what has worked for me is just telling people i am trying to eat high fiber and low carb....i never get any comments at all.....sorry this is tough for you.....has to be really tough being around pizza all the time!!!!! glad you have us to vent too!
susan

[xMenace]

Always be positive with them and smile a lot. It will rub off eventually. They will remember that smile when they are diagnosed ;)

[Jan B]

I'm sorry about your frustration. I guess I'm really lucky these days -- most of the people I'm around either don't know I'm a diabetic, or are smarter than your average Joe. On the other hand, I don't eat much junk; just don't want it. I've trained myself to consider unhealthy stuff yucky anyway! I don't feel deprived; just healthier than most.

[slipperyelm]

When I first started reading your story I was thinking, "It sounds as if she works with a bunch of 17 year olds. But if I were around those 17 year olds, I'd tell them to stop acting like smart-@$$ 12 year old middle schoolers." The I see you work at Domino's. Ah, you probably are surrounded by immature 17 year olds. Geeze.

At work, in a position of authority, you have to keep your cool, in the situations you describe, I think. Do you have authority to hire and fire? Why not at least point that out? Is the razzing in anyway a violation of company policy? If so write down the incident and the action you took to correct it. If it takes an accumulation of violations to fire an employee, you will have the record of it.

On the other hand, it sounds as if you are not the top dog at the shop. Consider whether you want the manager, owner, or whoever is over you to intervene. But if you hope to rise to a higher position, you might prefer to discuss the matter with a your next higher up and then handle it yourself. That shows that you have the stuff to be a manager, if you know what I Mean.

Perhaps you can transfer to another shop and start again without telling people you are diabetic. Do they need to know? In some cases co-workers do need to know, such as if you have a strong tendency to mismatch your food intake and insulin or take a sulfonylurea that sometimes results in hypoglycemic episodes. But otherwise, I suppose you could keep it to yourself.

[Kubilee]

Always be positive with them and smile a lot. It will rub off eventually. They will remember that smile when they are diagnosed ;)


This is usually the best policy and what I always tell my kids too. When faced with a bully, all they want is to get your number and keep hitting it, but if they see they aren't getting your number, they will stop eventually. What they need..... desperately need, is to make sure everyone sees how funny they are by picking on someone a little less fortunate, but once they see they aren't getting your number, they will move on. I haven't ever been wrong about this before.

If this were me, I'd probably laugh right along with them and make jokes right along with them. But most of all, LAUGH it off..... no bully wants to see laughing, they want you to FEEL it...... laughing will just make them move on.

I don't broadcast I have diabetes, the ones that need to know, know. The thing I do is just politely say "No thanks" and leave it at that.

I am in a place where I have to deal with tech/customer support and at NO time, regardless of how they talk to me or treat me, will I ever ever let them see me sweat, not ever. Once I do that, I have failed and they win. I don't like to not win. ;)

[Johny]

I agree, the worse possible thing to do is to show them idiots that they can get to you, their are obviously very simple minded people if they think that is funny.
I would completely ignore their immature comments, they will get sick of trying to upset you if you show no reaction.

Johny :)

[alicat61]

:) Hi NickieAnn,
I understand how you feel, I hate it when people carry on about what you can and can't eat. It's worse when they keep apologising for eating something sugary infront of you.It's worse when they are just being nasty. Try to ignore them it's no fun(for them) when they get no response. Maybe they will eventually grow up!!:D
I always try to think these little trials are placed in front of us to make us a better person and bying nice and sweet it will rub off on others
take care from alicat61:)

[Holly]

I'm finding the opposite problem. People that we ate with often are avoiding us because they don't know what to feed us! So I'm educating my friends that diabetics do indeed eat - just what they should be eating to stay healthier longer.

[lisa821]

These are beautiful words of advice from the graphic novel (and now an animated movie) called "Persepolis". In it, a girl's grandmother is giving her advice on life. Words to live by:

"You'll meet a lot of jerks in life. If they hurt you, remember it's because they're stupid. Don't react to their cruelty. There's nothing worse than bitterness and revenge. Keep your dignity and be true to yourself."

Indeed.

~Lisa

[SGT Shoutmore]

Two weeks ago, whilst out with my family at Disneyland, it is just about lunch time for me, so, I stroll on into the bathroom, open up my fanny pack where I keep my "diabetic S**T", after testing my pre-chow blood sugar, I draw up 15 units of insulin, hike up my shirt and begin injecting. To my mirth, there is this goofball standing about 8 feet away, gawking at my routine. He has this offended look like he's just watched me slam smack. I look him straight in the face and exclaim "Wow man, like when you just absolutely, positively have to shoot up like right now, dude".. I cross my eyes at him, laugh maniacally and wander out. Gets 'em everytime!

I don't let the goofballs get to me, why bother when I can have fun with 'em?

[CuriousBoston]

It is against the law to discriminate against workers with diabetes. If someone was making fun of someone with a wheelchair, they would be disciplined and fired.

Do they behave like this when the Manager is around?

Do you have a say in performance reviews?

Being in a work situation like that cannot continue. They are wrong. Their behavior must be changed. Myself, I I'm nice a couple of times, then bring out the baseball bat.

Pick the worst worker that is doing this, you and the manager talk with him/her, warn him/her on probation unless attitude changes. Get everything official in writing. Word will spread.

You don't have to take this silently, or try to change YOUR attitude. They need a dose of reality. A work enviroment does not permit this. You deserve to be treated with respect.

If it was a missing arm, sexual harassment, a brace on a leg, would it be acceptable? Of course not.

Get a little notebook, write the name, date, who said what? Let them see you.

[dacruzer]

try to ignore them, hopefully they will go away.