An unfortunate event happen today. I was walking with a couple of colleagues for breakfast, and we crossed path with one of our other colleague. This other colleague experienced some health problems years back, but I maintained a good relationship with him (or so I thought).
Today however, that ‘good relationship’ has changed. Upon meeting him, I greeted him as usual and said “Good Morning boss”, while giving him a slight salutation gesture, as I do with all my colleagues. The gesture also comes with a slight nod to show that I respect them as my colleague and friend.
Shockingly, he flipped! He turned back to me, and called me to approach him, and he started to hurl abuses at me and my parents. He was shaking of anger, and started saying very unkind words to me. Puzzled with his reaction, I quickly apologize. A few other colleagues came to him to calm him down including his wife. She said sorry to me, and asked me to leave so that her husband can calm down. I did just that because she obviously knows him better.
While I know this is not an isolated case involving him, I can’t help wonder what’s so disrespectful of calling one ‘boss’. My colleagues tell me that I caught him in a bad time, but still, I just can’t help to wonder. To be honest, at my work place, I call practically everyone ‘boss’ except the boss, and I do smile when I greet them. I think it’s not wrong.
Anyway, is there anyone out there can help explain what’s wrong with calling one ‘boss’? If one did call you ‘boss’, would you actually be offended? Do share…
For now, I think i’ll not be calling anyone at work ‘boss’. Today’s experience was a ‘lil scary, even for me.
