The idiot at the office.
 

I should not have this issue.

I'm one of two bike commuters at work. When asked about my cycling, I talk about fitness and getting a little outdoor time, I'm not the critical-mass type.

Most of my coworkers say positive comments.

However, one character in the office, an overweight junk-food eating good-old-boy with a napoleon complex is turning my commute into a topic for his amusement.

Recently he circulated this as a recommendation for cycling.


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...t/Tricycle.jpg

Any suggestions for dealing with the idiot at the office?

Give him a cute nickname.

Hamhock or Lardo for example.

Tell him you feel sorry for him, since he's killing himself with his drug of choice. Offer to have an intervention for him. Tell him if he'll commit to cycling in even for one day, you'll get up earlier, pedal to his house, and then ride in with him. Let him know you're trying to save his life. It might not have any effect on him, but your co-workers will find it hard to argue with the fact that you are healthy and fit, and he's a slob.

Joe

People who attempt to ridicule are often extremely insecure. I wouldn't be critical of his physical appearance because that will only make his behavior worse. Offering to help get him in shape is a noble approach.

I told him that the object was worthless for anything. He comment that there was wood there, enough for a fire. I told him that a little wood might start a fire, but it will never produce any heat.

I think this guy has a shortage of wood...

Blow it off. When he makes the comment pat your stomach and tell him the ladies like it and walk away.

If it were me, I'd turn into humor. Such as: "I've been coveting one of those rare bikes for a LONG time! Do you know where I can pick one up?" Or something along those lines. This will show others that you're not intimidated by him (or his insecurities) and that you can rise above the insults.

Or, simply ignore him. Eventually, he'll give up.

Not to presume anything about how much, and in what way, you and your coworkers have to interact with this guy, but it just doesn't seem worth it to engage him. Oscar Wilde he ain't, if that's his idea of a hilarious put-down. I think Dwight Schrute could do far better.

Ohh, I was not aware this was to be specific to the bike. I would say "I'm not surprised that's your idea of a bike, since It's clear you're not at all familiar with any type of physical exertion."

Joe

Is any of this is becoming a disruptive of work. If yes, warn him once to stop. If he continue, warn him a second time. Note time and date of each warning. If he continues, report it to HR or your boss. Persistent of these type of humor only lead to bigger issue which eventually you may become as much in fault as he. Stopping this now is your best preventive before this becomes a harassment.

I am concerned about this and have had issues with this person before I began commuting.

Michael

Seriously? If the guy is a major jerk, just ignore him. But in general I'd try to avoid any kind of strife, so I guess I'd laugh at his jokes the way you always laugh at jokes you've heard a hundred times before. Then, wiping the tears of mirth from your eyes, say something like "yeah, yeah, you can tease me all you like, but I actually enjoy my commute. Do you enjoy your commute?"

he feels inferior and just wants people to like him. show him some compassion. try not to boast in his presence

Go the noble route... several suggestions have been made here from joking about the "great bike find" to laughing with him to telling him how much you love your commute.

Take the high road... if deeper problems arise, and you have to go to HR, you will have the upper hand.

Clearly, the majority opinion is that what you are doing is cool, and you'd be secure and happy with your commuting mode regardless. It sounds like the troublemaker isn't gaining any friends or influence with his insults; he's just digging his hole deeper. If you ignore taunts that he makes in front of other people, they'll think more of you and less of him.

The fastest way to stop his taunts is to convince him that they don't bother you and instead leave you amused. Print out the pictures he sends you and post them on your office door or at your desk/workstation/locker.

Why didn't you just say
"Nice bike...looks perfect for you! Did you build it yourself, or pay someone?" ?

+1 to what Chipcom says

Don't say anything to him. Don't look at him, don't laugh at anything he says. Ignore him totally. Either he will go away or do something that will get him fired. I've had this happen to me. The guy that gave me the heat was the bosses son and at the final point of contention, he was moved to a permanent part time position at the warehouse 3 blocks away. It was at a furniture store in Washington state just before I moved to Georgia.

Worked like a champ, it did. :thumb:

send him a peace offering.. a box of krispy kreme with a bottle of plavix.

I was wondering if this might have been the case. So bicycle commuting is just another outlet of for his previous displeasure with you and not the cause. If he has been openly ridiculing you on a long term basis , I'm not for ignoring him, and for taking it up your HR dept, or management, since ignoring him will only make him try even harder to get attention. Collect/log all times, dates and pictures and present your case to your management/HR team for possible disciplinary action against him.

+2 to what Chipcom says.

If he says it's for you say, "No thanks--not for me, not since I mastered a two-wheeler at age six. Keep it and enjoy the ride."

What color is his car? One day some guy was revving his engine and lurching forward at me at a red light. I told him "Nice purple truck ****". Yeah, I felt pretty good about myself. You could try that, firing one at him.

If he's been a problem before, you can blind copy your response to HR. Be sure that his original emails are part of the reply/forward. Let work handle work. I work with some major PITA's. At the end of the work day, they no longer exist. A simple reply of "no thanks, it's not my color" should be neutral enough. He's making fun of bikes, not your family, religion, politics, race, etc. etc. Ride a couple of extra miles and dedicate them to him.

I think it's a kinda funny photo. I'd have laughed and passed it on to my friends.

Most of your coworkers are positive. That's a good thing.

The bad thing I see is you already villify the man as a "junk food eating good old boy with a Napoleon complex." This situation is not about him, it's about you. Someone is getting under your skin and you're letting it happen.

In a nation that stands divided every two years, be glad that most of your coworkers react positively to bike commuting.

That pic would be funny though if it came from a cyclist. Kinda like how Asian people can make Asian jokes. :D