Roasting an employee.....how far should you go?

Hiya LCB'ers

I was playing catch up with some old friends when a discussion came up that made me think........

At a friends work there was a retirement party for one of the employees. When someone retires coworkers and supervisors do a roast on the employee. This particular employee was known to douse himself in cologne. It was so strong that it would linger in the room long after he left.

On the day of his retirement party, a supervisor cracked a joke about it. This is what she said......"thanks for saving the company fuel on our cars. We saved an astronomical amount of money fueling cars from the fumes of your cologne"

Apparently the retired man was embarrassed by the comment and there was mixed opinions whether or not that was going too far. Some felt the roasting should be kept mainly about work and not personal. While others laughed in good fun.

Lips

Do you think this supervisor crossed the line with this comment?

No....personally I think he was an idiot for not saying anything from the start and waiting for someone to retire before they opened their mouth! I know I woulda at least mentioned that is was a little strong, hell maybe I'd be saving the guy some money on cologne....lol

Yes, very bad. If it's "Slightly" embaressing, that's different. But this amounted to shame and that's something that this person will remember for a very long time.

Would have done alot better to approach it long ago. I view this as kind of "Gutless" knowing this person probably won't retailiate as they're leaving and so, get in your last "Cheap Shot" as you can.

Not over the line.  We as a society have gotten HYPER sensitive to things.....we really need to lighten up as a culture.  We sure take things too seriously.

Here Here to that!!  I think most good jokes made involving real people more likley than not are embarissing in some way.  Just think of the last time you or a friend said "don't make me bring that one thing up" when you made a joke about them.

That said discretiion should be shown in the workplace,  maybe the cologne was to mask obnotious B.O. but if they were retiring I think they would rather hear about the cologne than a joke involving their work performance.  Rember personal jokes are only made by people that consider you a friend or complete asses...

I have never been one to intentionally say something to hurt someones feelings......but i do have a sense of humor. I don't really see any harm in what she said to him. I think it was all in good fun.

The problem is we don't know the sensitive "triggers" to people. In situations like this i think the person has to realize that it was poking fun. It was not meant to insult him or laugh at him, rather to laugh with him.

Lips

I don't believe that comment was inappropriate at all. Sometimes hearing the truth hurts...& come on now...if he's that sensitive he needs 2 grow a pair & get over it. It was a Roast...& every1 knows that there aren't any rules of Roasting.

Ahhhhh kitty, now i remember why i loved you so much!!!! Love your way with words!

Lips

One rule. 

if whatever your roasting does not change color than you need to turn up the heat and continue untill it does.

Jako clever words to live by when roasting someone! We all need a sense of humor. Laughter is a wonderful cure all!!

Lips

true this was totally called for imo:)

i think its a very moderate roast in terms of humiliation:)
if the roast reminded the fella of his hypothetical problem jakoman was thinking about..hmm still perfectly acceptable, he'll survive one moment of uncomfy-ness ^^

Sadly, we have taken being "offened" to an unhealthy level.  It has gotten to the point we are afraid to interact with people in a healthy, fun, and creative way for fear of being labeled a "hate monger" or something.

That is why I take the stance that I hate everyone that is not me equally, I make fun of everyone.  If I didn't then there would be a problem.  People forgot that the people that are "hate mongers" historicaly have done it behind closed doors or while hiding behind something.  The real racists and other people with similar problems with stupidity don't usualy advertize it

Hey jako,

I'm not sure how old you are, but I LOVED George Carlin!!!!!  He use to say.
"I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally!!!"

lol, maybe that is where I got it from.  I have seen him on tv a long time age.  He had some really good bits.

He sure did!!  I am sure you know "Ralphie" his stuff reminds me a lot of George Carlin. 

I think that people should tread lightly when roasting someone that you work with. I would not want to offend anyone-

omg...thats so funny...my eyes are watering.  hey, when a bunch of peeps get together, someone always gets it...and it is usually the party person.
where i am from, anyway...all in fun.  i don't usually wait for a party to raz someone here or there.  lifes too short to take yourself too serious.  as long as you are not being nasty.

I am sure the retiree knew what a "roast' is, he could have just said no!  If u guys are going to roast me, then no party! lol

I don't think I would want to be roasted.  I enjoy a good laugh, but I don't think I could handle a bunch of people (family, friends, whoever)cracking "jokes" about me for any length of time.  I would start talkin s### back and then it wouldn't be fun anymore. lol

Truthfuly, as long as it was not meant in a malitious way, he was probibly embarissed because he never knew that he was wearing that much cologne and no one ever said anything.  Just be happy the joke was made to your face instead of after you left.

Truthfuly, as long as it was not meant in a malitious way, he was probibly embarissed because he never knew that he was wearing that much cologne and no one ever said anything.  Just be happy the joke was made to your face instead of after you left.

I bet you're right.  He probably worked with the kind of people that let you walk around all day with a booger hanging out!  lol

ya jako...i think that's just what it was.  if he doesnt have thick skin by his age...gotta admit that was pretty funny