Manager scolds employee for saying 'sure' instead of 'yes' when he asked him to do a task: 'I told him to do something, it’s a command from his manager, not a request.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jul 23, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Every boss expects a different level of formality from their employees. I know a lot of Southern people who feel disrespected if they're not addressed as "yes sir" or "yes ma'am." On the other side, I know Northerners who get incredibly offended if people call them "ma'am" because it makes them feel old. In general, society has become less formal over time. 40 years ago, there were still some offices where it wasn't appropriate for a female employee to wear slacks. Today, I can wear a cutoff t-shirt to the office that says "Caution, Paul Dano Fan." These are pretty extreme ends of the spectrum of formality, with most offices falling somewhere in the middle. Formality in the office certainly serves a purpose. It distinguishes casual social relationships from professional ones, and allows one to craft a work persona that's more in line with their professional goals. That being said, formality can go too far.

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  • Formality went too far in this case. A manager known for his dry sense of humor scolded an employee for saying “sure” instead of “yes” when asked to complete a task. One of the other managers thought he was joking, but he was doing nothing of the sort.

  • 01

    AITA for laughing at what my co-worker said when I thought it was a joke?

    Myself and another manager, Joe, at our workplace (both of us approximately same age and men) were talking with one or our employees, Ryan, about the plans for next week. Joe has a dry sense of humor and says a lot of jokes deadpan.
    via u/Agreeable_Initial495
  • 02
    As we were wrapping up, Joe told Ryan to do a task for him and Ryan responded "sure." Joe then said with a straight face, "No, don't say sure.' You say yes." I thought that this was a kind of weird joke and laughed a little. Ryan just said "Yes" and went about his way.
    via u/Agreeable_Initial495
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10533228032
    via Redd Francisco

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 04
    After this, Joe asked me why I laughed and I said I thought he was making a little joke about being picky with responses. Joe said it's not picky, explaining that "I told him to do something, it's a command from his manager, not a request. By saying sure, he is
    via u/Agreeable_Initial495
  • 05
    treating it like it's a request and like he has discretion on his part. By saying yes, he's showing he understands he needs to follow orders." He then told me that it was r de for me to laugh at what he said in front of our employee.
    via u/Agreeable_Initial495
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10533222144
    via Vitaly Gariev

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 07
    I sort of see where he's coming from in that "sure" sounds more casual, but it seems super uptight on his part to react that way. I did not apologize for laughing at what he said and don't feel I owe him one.
    via u/Agreeable_Initial495
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10533225984
    via Lance Reis

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 09
    kimba-the-tabby-lion NTA. Joe is, though. It's not a command, Ryan has a choice. He is allowed to say no, if he wants to. May get him fired, but that's part of the choice.
    via u/kimba--tabby-lion
  • 10
    Honestly, if I was Ryan this sort of micromanagement would have me on indeed the next day. Who needs the sh for an obviously minimum wage job? I would S k it up until I could get out of there.
    via u/kimba--tabby-lion
  • 11
    Neat-Ostrich7135 Jobs from managers that try to micromanage go to the bottom of the to do list. me
    via u/Neat-Ostrich7135
  • 12
    Greenman_on_LSD I got hired as a senior consultant making 6 figures. When I got hired my manager told me to log my breaks (including bathroom) in Excel and I simply said no. I'm good at my job and will get my work done. I'm not playing that game. It wasn't brought up again.
    via u/Greenman_on_LSD
  • 13
    Deaconse NTA and Joe is, though, even if it is a command. "Sure" is an informal affirmative response and is inappropriate only in the most formal settings, which this isn't. Joe needs to get over himself in a hurry.
    via u/Deaconse
  • 14
    joseph_wolfstar Exactly. Too informal for being sworn in as a trial witness or responding to the officiant at your wedding asking if you take this person to be your lawfully wedded spouse. Most other situations it's completely acceptable
    via u/joseph_wolfstar
  • 15
    niceguy191 "Sure thing, boss" "How dare you disrespect me"
    via u/niceguy191
  • 16
    usepunznotgunz I mean, saying "yes" also implies there's some sort of optionality involved does it not? Your fellow manager is just a petty tyrant.
    via u/usepunznotgunz
  • 17
    Going AllTheJay Right? Hope he didn't ask, "can you" if he's going to be that much of a Grammer gestapo
    via u/GoingAllTheJay
  • 18
    Future-Flamingo8400 Sure sounds like Joe needs to lay off the "coffee"
    via u/Future-Flamingo8400
  • 19
    CandylandCanada ΝΤΑ Not apologizing and accurately gauging that you don't owe him an apology is exactly the right response. Let him act the fool all on his own.
    via u/CandylandCanada
  • 20
    AteStringCheeseShred NTA. First off, as somebody with a sense of humor that is, at times, as dry as the surface of Mars, I'm fully aware that I have to be clear about how I speak and am aware that some people may misconstrue serious statements as humor and vice-versa, and that's my responsibility, not theirs.
    via u/AteStringCheeseShred
  • 21
    Second... did this guy really make a big deal out of "sure" vs. "yes"? Did this grown a adult seriously just throw a hissy fit over which commonly-used affirmative response somebody uses just because one of them helps him feel important? Double NTA because this Joe guy sounds like a f*ckin c *nt.
    via u/AteStringCheeseShred
  • 22
    bouncing_haricot Fricking "commands" and "orders" Imao Laughing at Sgt Major Joe is the only reasonable response ΝΤΑ
    via u/bouncing_haricot
  • 23
    Tyrone_Shoelaces_Esq Ryan should answer "Will do" or "No problemo" and watch Joe spin out.
    via u/Tyrone_Shoelaces_Esq
  • 24
    EmilyAnne1170 I feel totally comfortable replying to my boss with"will do", "no problemo", and also my old favorite "okey-dokey". I don't think I'd want to work for someone like Joe.
    via u/EmilyAnne1170
  • 25
    phunniemee It was a charitable kindness for you to assume it was a joke because no reasonable person would ever be such a crank. NTA
    via u/phunniemee

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management terrible coworkers workplace-stories toxic-manager employee toxic-workplace manager coworkers toxic-management employees toxic-boss workplace coworker
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