How do I relax around my twat (motorcyclist) boss?

**Steam** · 31st December 2006, 13:39

How do I relax around my twat (motorcyclist) boss?

I work on a boat, and it's me and the idiot skipper.
He's a twat. A motorcyclist, but a twat anyway.
He's been done for drunk riding and lost his license, rides a 400cc on the learner's license he's had for years, and he thinks he's hot shit. But that's not the problem.

Every day at work he tells the same stories and rants on about the same old stuff, how the company could do this or that better, how the other skippers and workers are morons. We tell him he's said it before, but he just repeats it anyway.

And worst of all he micro-manages things like the vacuuming... "No, don't use the vacuum cleaner like that, do it in long strokes, and make sure you don't get the power cord tangled." or "Do the dishes under the tap, no use in wasting water on a whole sink."

It makes me SO ANGRY! I get all trembly with rage because I hate being lectured and told what to do all the time by someone who knows less than me. I am on the verge of quitting.

He will never change, he is a lost cause, so how do I change my attitude, or relax, to be able to work around him? I only have to tolerate him six more months before I get a news writing job somewhere, hopefully in the South Island.

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

**Disco Dan** · 31st December 2006, 13:44

TRY THIS DUDE:

Maybe then he will see things your way?

**crashe** · 31st December 2006, 13:46

Well if he is a member of KB then he will read this...... that may help you out.

Otherwise, record the whole conversation and play it back over the loud speakers for everyone else to hear what he is saying, plus so that he can hear it as well.

Once a twat always a twat.....

Bite your tongue and say yes sir no sir....... do it and switch off......
You will be moving on and then he is out of your hair for good.

Good luck.

**jimbo600** · 31st December 2006, 14:02

Throw him overboard.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 31st December 2006, 14:11

Dear Steam...

One reason I have no emotions... I don't care of give a rats arse about stuff like that...

When I was in the Navy I had the same crap, being told what to do by a young ensign that knew nothing... All you can do is bite your toung, do as he says long strokes for vaccuming wish dishes under the (which actually uses more water if doing all the dishes) then he has nothing to complain about...

However I understand you can only take so much, so the choice is yours there are other jobs out there... or see if you can get a transfer to another boat...

Signed
Abby

**Ixion** · 31st December 2006, 14:17

Well, if you don't care about the job, you can always use the old Army barrack room insolence thing. When he says "vacuum with long strokes etc", just say "Oh, yes, Sir, oh yes that's much better, I must remember that, Sir. Thank you , Sir". Then, next time you come to do the vacuuming , you say "Oh, Sir, how was it that you told me to vacuum - it was so much better but I can't remember how it was you told me ... Oh, thank you, Sir" And the next time, and the next time ... Same for each thing. If he twigs he's having the mickey taken, he'll either blow up (hard for him to do much though, cos you're so respectful about it), or realise he's being a twat. If he doesn't catch on, you're laughing silently at him, so you don't feel bad.

**Steam** · 31st December 2006, 14:29

Hmm, some good suggestions so far. I especially like the smoking one, although pot and boats don't mix. The other that appeals is Throw Him Overboard. Because if there was nobody else on the boat, no-one would ever find out.

Only 6 months left to go!

**RT527** · 31st December 2006, 15:05

Originally Posted by Steam

Hmm, some good suggestions so far. I especially like the smoking one, although pot and boats don't mix. The other that appeals is Throw Him Overboard. Because if there was nobody else on the boat, no-one would ever find out.

Only 6 months left to go!

Cept the whole world , cause you just posted it on a public forum...so overboard is out...

**Paul in NZ** · 31st December 2006, 15:18

Mutiney...

Then sail off to an uncharted island and hide out for a few years while you write your book.

**SlashWylde** · 31st December 2006, 15:48

The fact that you recognise that he will never change is important, and you should definitely move on as soon as you can.

In the mean time keep your focus on the goals ahead of you, and try to view the whole thing as a learning experience in how to deal with difficult people.

When he is irritating you, for example by micro managing every aspect of your work, stop him and explain that you are perfectly capable of carrying out the tasks before you and his constant interference dosent help. He may simply be unaware that his attitude is driving you nuts. Many people aren't cut out to be in leadership positions and most could use constructive feedback from their staff every now and then.

I've been in a similar position before both as a subordinate to a manage of this ilk and as a team leader my self, so I can sympathise with both parties in such situations.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 31st December 2006, 15:56

Originally Posted by Ixion

Well, if you don't care about the job, you can always use the old Army barrack room insolence thing. When he says "vacuum with long strokes etc", just say "Oh, yes, Sir, oh yes that's much better, I must remember that, Sir. Thank you , Sir". Then, next time you come to do the vacuuming , you say "Oh, Sir, how was it that you told me to vacuum - it was so much better but I can't remember how it was you told me ... Oh, thank you, Sir" And the next time, and the next time ... Same for each thing. If he twigs he's having the mickey taken, he'll either blow up (hard for him to do much though, cos you're so respectful about it), or realise he's being a twat. If he doesn't catch on, you're laughing silently at him, so you don't feel bad.

Got to admit I have used that before and well took him a while to realise he was a complete and utter twat...

**crashe** · 31st December 2006, 16:02

Just had a wee thought.... re the vacuuming...

When he moans and groans..... ask him to show you how it is done.
Again stuff it up... and tangle up the cord everytime... again ask him again how it is done... get him to show you..... over and over.......
That way he has done your job for you and you sit back and watch the drongo...

Do the same with washing the dishes.....
He wants you to wash them under the tap
(yep we all know that is wasting water)
but as you do one or two........ leave the water running and go and do something else... then go back and do another few...... again wander off and leave the water running...

He will see it is wasting water..... eventually..

Soon he will click on and leave you alone to do it... or he will get to do your work for you for the next 6 months...

**Finn** · 31st December 2006, 16:02

There's always two sides of a story. Maybe you're a slacker and he needs to kick your arse all the time. Next time you're at work, just try a little harder. It won't hurt.

**James Deuce** · 31st December 2006, 17:11

Both Slashwylde and Finn have a point.

I had one of those once, so I tried the Finn idea and worked my arse off, furiously crossing "t"'s and dotting "i"'s on the way. It didn't help.

So I moved to another country for a year to get my head back together.

Sounds to me that you need to do the Slashwylde option as soon as possible. It will do your head in and ruin your work ethic if you keep trying to hang in there.