Member Questions

It takes alot to bring me to tears at work. But I had a boss once that told me that only a good boss could bring his emplyees to tears. I looked at him and told that was his first and last time. I got up walked to my office closed the door. And from then on he would say I can never make you cry can I? I told him no...........and he'd laugh. But when I quit to work from home it was the best feeling one could ever have laying the letter of resignation on his desk!

Yes I have cried at work. Can't help it sometimes. I remember one time when I was preganant and started crying about something (I worked w/ mostly all guys) they did't know what to do and were so akward about asking me if I was alright that it made me laugh!

I've cried at work several times, but always try not to do it in front of students. I cried my first year of teaching when my kids were uncontrollable and I was frustrated, when I've read sad stories to my students, at our annual Veterans' Day assembly when deceased relatives of students and faculty are memorialized, when students who were refugees from Hurricane Katrina showed me pictures of their destroyed homes, and most recently, when I had to leave my infant daughter for the first time.

I definitely think it's all right to express emotion in the workplace. My co-workers are like family, and we share many life experiences and support one another. Also, it shows my students that I am human and I care about them.

Hmm. I've had to force back tears several times. And I've definitely shed tears once safely in my own home after various super-tough days. Ugh. We all have 'em.

Is it okay? Well, depends. If you're in a supportive workplace and you're close to your colleagues, it might be okay. But in most work environments I think it would just undermine your status.

Yes, I have. I worked in an incredibly dysfunctional and political residency and when I was just completely fed up with the crappola that went on, I would get very angry and then cry out of frustration. The idealist in me would just be revolted by the sleazy politicos who slithered their way through the residency and then onto "intern of the year" and Chief. This was my education that titles are often meaningless! Just resume builders for people who feel otherwise insecure. (No bitterness there ... ha ha). Am I embarrassed that I cried. Kind of. But, part of me wonders why I am trying to conform to the "male" standard. Who knows ... those men might feel better after a good cry!

If TO can cry on TV and still be a manly man, why can't I???

I am unfortunately someone who cries when I'm incredibly pissed, which happens once every few years at work. I need to learn to just yell and throw stuff, maybe, because the crying freaks out the men here.