Ask Amy: Mask request brings on ridiculous reactions
Dear Amy: I work in an office where many people work remotely but are in the office a day or two a week for a few hours at a time.
We all have individual offices but often chat briefly individually and in-person about our personal lives.
A co-worker recently said she was "uncomfortable" about the amount of traveling I do on my days off and requested I always wear a mask around her.
I acknowledged her concern by saying that of course I would wear a mask.
I have decided to no longer engage in personal conversations at work and now this seems to be a problem for her.
I haven't been mean about it; I am simply choosing to no longer engage in private conversations with her.
What I do away from work is really no one else's business. I am a very safe traveler and practice good hygiene and have not been sick since the outbreak of the pandemic.
This particular co-worker smokes and drinks to excess on her days off, but I have never judged her or spoken to her about her chances of contracting cancer from her habits.
Do you have any words of wisdom for those of us still working in an office on handling the various attitudes and personal responsibilities to one another during this time?
— Don't Judge Me
...continued
