48-year-old coworker mocks employee for reading a children's book, employee cries on cue to get him in trouble: 'Maybe keep your opinions to yourself sometimes'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 29, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Tension between younger and more seasoned employees can often erupt in surprising ways in the office.

Usually, this manifests in passive-aggressive remarks before and after meetings or behind one another's backs. But every so often, generational differences manifest themselves, and neither party can control their emotions. In this instance, we have a 48-year-old male coworker who, in fairness to him, was not fully aware that the younger employee who worked on his team was going through family struggles. 

She had recently picked up a children's book that she used to read with her mother when she was a kid. Re-reading said book provided her with some comfort during this challenging time, so she brought it to work to read during her breaks in order to make herself feel better. Her nosy coworker already seemed to have trouble keeping his thoughts to himself and maintaining a level of professionalism, particularly when it came to discussing personal matters. 

One day, he came across the children's book and immediately decided to mock the author for being so childish that she would read this during her free time. Many other employees on their team were already taken aback, given that they knew all too well about the author's family situation. The author then decided to let her older coworker know he crossed a line by making him feel as guilty as possible for it.

How did she manage to pull this off? Well, it just so happens that she can cry on cue. So she did. In fact, she wept and wept until the older coworker was forced to apologize for overstepping and was reprimanded by their manager. Honestly, if this author were that convincing with her tears, perhaps she should consider ditching this office environment and pursuing a career in acting. It sounds like she is a far more believable crier than most performers out there.

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  • "Maybe keep your opinions to yourself sometimes"

    A woman in a beige sweater cries in front of her work computer.
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • So my workplace hired a new guy a few weeks ago, decent worker but he is very vocal on everything. Like every thought is vocalised or that he loves his own voice. This guy is in his late 40's and has grown kids which we all know.
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  • ANYWAY, it is well known around my workplace that my mother has dementia and doesn't really remember her kids or my dad (I didn't really want my work to know but I ended up crying at work and it came out) for the most part I have made my peace
    via LovezButterflies
  • with it but every now and then I really miss being able to talk to her and her voice so to help I reread a book she got me when I was a kid.
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  • I've been missing her a lot lately so I was once again rereading my book and I took it work to read on my break. I left it next to my bag for 2 seconds and when I came back the new guy was commenting on it "OMG who brought a KIDS book to work?!?! |
    via LovezButterflies
  • wouldn't even read this rubbish to my kids because they have better taste! Like this is just embarrassing really!" All this as loud as he could say it. When he
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  • spotted me I burst into tears (I was mad not sad but I can cry on cue) and I mean I CRIED. I had snot running down my face, my face was red and my eyes
    via LovezButterflies
  • bl dshot. I choked out "I miss my mum!" And 2 other co workers ran to hug me while telling him to They ended up going to our manager about him.
    via LovezButterflies
  • Later I found out he got pulled into the office and told not to comment on people's personal items as it's none of his business. He has been quiet since and avoids me like the plague.
    via LovezButterflies
  • A businessman works on his laptop in a lounge.
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • OldERnurse1964 12h ago Sorry about your mom but that was genius!!
    via LovezButterflies
  • Calm_Researcher... 10h ago . Absolutely diabolical. I love it!
    via LovezButterflies
  • SadLocal8314 • 3h ago I am so sorry about your mom and your family (been there, it s ks!) That was a lethal sharp takeback-hope he remembers.
    via LovezButterflies

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workplace-stories toxic-manager employee work stories toxic-workplace manager job work company toxic-work-environment
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