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How do I tell my coworkers that my husband is not my father?
I know it sounds pretty hilarious but it isn't really that funny at the moment. My husband is a good 16 years older than me and is fairly bald. I think he's a very attractive man and I've never had even the slightest problem with him being much older than me; however, my co-workers continue to refer to him as my father!
I understand that at first glance maybe it might look that way. I don't want make it an awkward moment in correcting them if I can avoid it: "Actually, he isn't my Dad...he's my husband..." usually leads to that odd silence, followed by a small gasp and an apology. Should I seek a new "phrase" in correcting?
How do I tell my coworkers that he ISN'T my father without coming off as rude while making it clear? I've noticed that I've had to correct a few of them multiple times so, obviously, I'm not making it clear enough. Then, there are those few people who continue to apologize the next few times I see them: "I had no idea he was your husband. I thought he was your Dad. I'm sorry!" Obviously, I'm coming off as rude to some of my coworkers.
Suggestions?
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you shouldnt worry about being rude. If however, you cant help but be polite, is there an event, or party or something coming up? You could go straight for it and be all "this is my husband -InsertNameHere-, i believe you've met before?"
or something like that?
hope i helped
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Don't worry so much about being rude?
I know that's not exactly what you want to hear, but it sounds to me like you have a calm approach to this and an appropriate sense of humor about the problem. So, it seems more likely to me that your co-workers are a bit over sensitive and too apologetic, then that you acted rudely.
Do you know what is colossally rude? Continuing to make this error after having been corrected, because being corrected on the husband/father mistake is not something a person is likely to forget. Once is funny and harmless, but the one’s who have required multiple corrections warrant a firmer hand then the others.
You cannot completely save your co-workers from an awkward moment AND convey the necessary information too. There is just going to be a degree of discomfort about this. I don’t think there is a clearer phrase then the one you offered. It really is more important to explain the truth, then to defend every inch of their feelings. After you’ve clearly conveyed what you need too, THEN you smooth their feathers down. You correct them. Smile gently. And assure them that it is a common enough mistake and that you aren’t offended.
I think you are worrying at a little bit too much about the feelings of others and that is probably a large part of why this continues to happen. Those who have been corrected sense your discomfort and keep it to themselves like it is some big secret and carry around their personal shame about it... When you correct someone next time, follow up with what your husband’s work is, or how long you’ve been married. Show that you are comfortable and open speaking about your marriage. They are likely mistaking your desire to say little and not embarrass them, for the idea that you are embarrassed or unwilling to speak about it yourself.
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