Worker tries to cope with bullying boss
If you are fired because of advocating for a professional atmosphere at work, then you should have grounds for recourse and/or an appeal. That's why you should build your case, while always behaving professionally and respectfully at the office.
Dear Amy: My grandparents are very narrow-minded. I am of mixed nationalities, and as I've grown up, I've come to understand they are set in their ways. I avoid topics that might stir the pot.
Things are so bad in my family that my stepfather (who is of Mexican heritage) no longer speaks to my grandmother, due to her upsetting comments. We no longer celebrate holidays together.
My boyfriend is also Mexican. He met my grandparents once, and no issues arose.
I graduate from college soon and will be having a barbecue to celebrate. This includes the mixing of my grandparents and my boyfriend's large family.
I am worried I will not be able to enjoy the celebration, because I will need to baby-sit or censor my grandmother's comments in order to prevent offending his family or my stepfather. I'm afraid of a huge scene.
This is the first time our families are mixing and I'm terrified of a blow-up. How do I go about setting this event on a smooth sailing path?
-- Mixed with Anxiety
Dear Mixed: Some landmark events are almost designed to bring on anxiety, and this is one of them. Understand that you have a role to play, and that is to be the gracious guest of honor. Make sure you take responsibility for introducing your boyfriend's family around.
A nice introduction can set everything off on the right foot: "Grandma and Grandpa, this is Angelo and Rita, Sam's parents. You have something big in common -- you both love to garden."
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