How can I react professionally to sarcasm by my manager?

Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP

.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;

up vote
62
down vote

favorite

7

My manager sometimes uses sarcasm. I do not know how to react to that.

An example from today:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

Me: No, I used code found on the internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

At that moment, I just smiled awkwardly as I didn't know how to react.

How can I professionally handle this kind of remark?

I am new to this company and it is my first job.
I do not want to confront him. Ideally, I want him to understand that I do not like that kind of remark (I don't think it's constructive). I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

I have no evidence that he does it with the intent to make me feel the way I do. Might be a cultural difference.

Location: Asia. I am not from the country where I work.

manager relationships

share|improve this question

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Do you know if he speaks like this to your colleagues or if it's just you?
  – Kozaky
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't know, this manager is on the opposite side of the office, and he didn't really join the company social events, so I don't really know if it's just me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  37
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Are you SURE he's trying to be sarcastic? Maybe he's impressed with the initiative of not rebuilding the wheel?
  – djsmiley2k
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is there a language barrier? You say you aren't from the country where you work. Could you be misinterpreting? Because a good dev would actually think you were a genius for taking working code online and reusing it. Assuming you actually got it to work
  – aidan.plenert.macdonald
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm I the only one that sees this as a compliment? It all depends on the tone.
  – the_lotus
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
62
down vote

favorite

7

My manager sometimes uses sarcasm. I do not know how to react to that.

An example from today:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

Me: No, I used code found on the internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

At that moment, I just smiled awkwardly as I didn't know how to react.

How can I professionally handle this kind of remark?

I am new to this company and it is my first job.
I do not want to confront him. Ideally, I want him to understand that I do not like that kind of remark (I don't think it's constructive). I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

I have no evidence that he does it with the intent to make me feel the way I do. Might be a cultural difference.

Location: Asia. I am not from the country where I work.

manager relationships

share|improve this question

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Do you know if he speaks like this to your colleagues or if it's just you?
  – Kozaky
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't know, this manager is on the opposite side of the office, and he didn't really join the company social events, so I don't really know if it's just me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  37
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Are you SURE he's trying to be sarcastic? Maybe he's impressed with the initiative of not rebuilding the wheel?
  – djsmiley2k
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is there a language barrier? You say you aren't from the country where you work. Could you be misinterpreting? Because a good dev would actually think you were a genius for taking working code online and reusing it. Assuming you actually got it to work
  – aidan.plenert.macdonald
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm I the only one that sees this as a compliment? It all depends on the tone.
  – the_lotus
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
62
down vote

favorite

7

up vote
62
down vote

favorite

7

7

My manager sometimes uses sarcasm. I do not know how to react to that.

An example from today:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

Me: No, I used code found on the internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

At that moment, I just smiled awkwardly as I didn't know how to react.

How can I professionally handle this kind of remark?

I am new to this company and it is my first job.
I do not want to confront him. Ideally, I want him to understand that I do not like that kind of remark (I don't think it's constructive). I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

I have no evidence that he does it with the intent to make me feel the way I do. Might be a cultural difference.

Location: Asia. I am not from the country where I work.

manager relationships

share|improve this question

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

My manager sometimes uses sarcasm. I do not know how to react to that.

An example from today:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

Me: No, I used code found on the internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

At that moment, I just smiled awkwardly as I didn't know how to react.

How can I professionally handle this kind of remark?

I am new to this company and it is my first job.
I do not want to confront him. Ideally, I want him to understand that I do not like that kind of remark (I don't think it's constructive). I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

I have no evidence that he does it with the intent to make me feel the way I do. Might be a cultural difference.

Location: Asia. I am not from the country where I work.

manager relationships

manager relationships

share|improve this question

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

18718

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

asked 2 days ago

Astariul

421129

421129

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Astariul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Do you know if he speaks like this to your colleagues or if it's just you?
  – Kozaky
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't know, this manager is on the opposite side of the office, and he didn't really join the company social events, so I don't really know if it's just me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  37
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Are you SURE he's trying to be sarcastic? Maybe he's impressed with the initiative of not rebuilding the wheel?
  – djsmiley2k
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is there a language barrier? You say you aren't from the country where you work. Could you be misinterpreting? Because a good dev would actually think you were a genius for taking working code online and reusing it. Assuming you actually got it to work
  – aidan.plenert.macdonald
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm I the only one that sees this as a compliment? It all depends on the tone.
  – the_lotus
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Do you know if he speaks like this to your colleagues or if it's just you?
  – Kozaky
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't know, this manager is on the opposite side of the office, and he didn't really join the company social events, so I don't really know if it's just me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  37
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Are you SURE he's trying to be sarcastic? Maybe he's impressed with the initiative of not rebuilding the wheel?
  – djsmiley2k
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is there a language barrier? You say you aren't from the country where you work. Could you be misinterpreting? Because a good dev would actually think you were a genius for taking working code online and reusing it. Assuming you actually got it to work
  – aidan.plenert.macdonald
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm I the only one that sees this as a compliment? It all depends on the tone.
  – the_lotus
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

4

4

Do you know if he speaks like this to your colleagues or if it's just you?
– Kozaky
2 days ago

Do you know if he speaks like this to your colleagues or if it's just you?
– Kozaky
2 days ago

I don't know, this manager is on the opposite side of the office, and he didn't really join the company social events, so I don't really know if it's just me.
– Astariul
2 days ago

I don't know, this manager is on the opposite side of the office, and he didn't really join the company social events, so I don't really know if it's just me.
– Astariul
2 days ago

37

37

Are you SURE he's trying to be sarcastic? Maybe he's impressed with the initiative of not rebuilding the wheel?
– djsmiley2k
2 days ago

Are you SURE he's trying to be sarcastic? Maybe he's impressed with the initiative of not rebuilding the wheel?
– djsmiley2k
2 days ago

9

9

Is there a language barrier? You say you aren't from the country where you work. Could you be misinterpreting? Because a good dev would actually think you were a genius for taking working code online and reusing it. Assuming you actually got it to work
– aidan.plenert.macdonald
2 days ago

Is there a language barrier? You say you aren't from the country where you work. Could you be misinterpreting? Because a good dev would actually think you were a genius for taking working code online and reusing it. Assuming you actually got it to work
– aidan.plenert.macdonald
2 days ago

3

3

I'm I the only one that sees this as a compliment? It all depends on the tone.
– the_lotus
2 days ago

I'm I the only one that sees this as a compliment? It all depends on the tone.
– the_lotus
2 days ago

add a comment | 

13 Answers
13

active

oldest

votes

up vote
54
down vote



accepted

Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing.

You can sidetrack some of this by expanding on your comments to show any extra working that you've done on top of copy-pasting code or highlight how much time is saved you.

I found the code online and it saved a lot of time, I'll use the same technique in other things as well.

But don't read too much into comments like this, as long as you're being productive, you should be fine.

share|improve this answer

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
  – Mast
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
91
down vote

How can i professionally handle that kind of remark?

Ideally, i want him to understand that i do not like that kind of
remark

This is more snark than irony.

When someone tries to be snarky to me, I usually pause, look at them for about a minute, then turn around and walk away without comment.

Unless they are particularly dense, they understand that I don't like that kind of remark.

And I don't make a habit of working for stupid managers for very long.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  – Jane S♦
  22 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
52
down vote

My View and Experience

This very much sounds like it could be a friendly joke/sarcasm. This happens in American workplace's very much, particularly in blue collar workplaces.

I've had multiple bosses that do this, and it's generally lighthearted, and helps foster a sense of camaraderie. For example, in one of my early jobs, we would have many conversations like this:

Manager: Did you do this?

Me: No, that was Jim.

Manager: grins - I knew you couldn't make it look this good!

The Manager gave me a raise soon after, and told me to keep up the good work. Even though his sentence out of context was negative, it was very clearly a good-natured jab. Once I got to know him a bit better, I would throw similar jabs back.

Now that I work in a "white collar" job (Software Engineering), I can say that it certainly happens here, but at a different level. The jokes aren't as harsh, or as negative, but they still happen, and I can very much see your conversation playing out in my workplace - the difference is, I would take it as a joke.

We cannot decipher his tone or intentions via an out of context quote, however, I'd say that most managers are good-ish managers, since they had to be selected to get to that position. Unless you have one of the bad ones out there, it's likely that he meant it in a lighthearted manner. Some managers specifically do it to improve camaraderie in the workplace.

What can you do about this?

Try to view it in a positive light - if you simply can't, and you believe he's truly meaning it in a negative way, speak to a coworker and see if he feels the same way. Speak laterally - to other juniors. Don't have this conversation with someone that could potentially mention your concerns to the manager.

What can you respond with?

This singular phrase (below) is a get out of jail free card, for whenever your boss critiques you for lack of work, using sources, etc. I've used it a few times.

I like to work smarter, not harder!

share|improve this answer

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
46
down vote

The best way to react to snark/sarcasm is to either ignore it or take it literally, or snark back a tiny bit.

Him: What a genius..

You: I know, but I try to stay humble.

IT is INFAMOUS for snark. Get used to it, the culture isn't going to change. Just let it go, it's part of the job.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

• 
  
  
  

  
  13
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
  – Joe Strazzere
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
  – UKMonkey
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
  – Richard U
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  6
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
  – Aaron
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
  – Morgen
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 5 more comments

up vote
23
down vote

As other answers have correctly pointed out, your manager could've shut his mouth (like, nobody copies code from internet...? oh dear).

What I usually apply in those cases is pretend not to get the sarcasm.

Thanks! But I really did nothing special.

If they go on, then you can get confrontational, but it's almost never the case, and your manager certainly doesn't want to spark a discussion he doesn't want to have.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
  – bob
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
10
down vote

So long as it's banterous in nature, fight fire with fire...

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: It isn't exactly a bull market for reinventions of the wheel right now.

NB: 'Bull market' is an investing term for when everything is on the up. 'Bear market' is the opposite, where everything is going south.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
  – Zpalmtree
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

Two thoughts:

---

First you need to give yourself proper credit for what you accomplished.
If all you did was a copy/paste code that someone else pointed out to you, then your answer was fine.

However, I expect you did more than just what you were told to do.

Next time try something like this:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: Yes I did. I started with similar code that I found on site name and adapted it.

Him: different silly remark

---

Second, to your actual questions...

I am new... it is my first job. I do not want to confront him... I do not like that kind of remark... I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

Give him a slight smile to show that you understand and appreciate the praise/camaraderie. But not a real one that encourages more of those remarks. If you get snarky back you risk having the good working relationship - you already don't relate to him and you don't know how far is too far - watch how others on your team react and reconsider in a couple months (after you have data!)

As stated by others he's likely just trying to connect with you (in his own way). Regard this as harmless unless he is treating you differently than everyone else.

You don't mention the country, but I have worked closely with Chinese & Japanese engineers; I expect it would work with them.

Welcome to the 'real world' (for lack of a better phrase). This is just something to get used to if you want to be able to work with a wide variety of people. If that isn't your desire - don't panic - with a few years experience you'll be in a better position to choose who you work for.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

While the manager's snide remark seems unprofessional, perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas from publicly available code released under a possibly incompatible license (or no license whatsoever)?

Your manager could be worried, for instance, that the borrowed code will not be different enough to be clean copyright-wise and cause severe legal problems for the company in the long run.

To clarify these concerns, I would just ask back, "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" (S)he may give another sarcastic remark and tell you to carry on OR (s)he will share their concerns which you both could discuss in a civil manner. At any rate, you will get their perspective on things without risking anything.

Also note that if (s)he is not a native English speaker, the perceived sarcasm may very well have been intended to be a word of encouragement that got twisted in translation.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
  – Trilarion
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
  – fullerene
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

You are taking the Manager's comment as an insult and yet you have no idea what the manager's intention or meaning behind the comment was.

When I don't understand what someone was trying to say, I find it quite useful to ask for clarification rather than guess their intent.

In your case..."I don't understand what you are trying to say with that comment. Could you please explain what you meant?".

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
  – Bilkokuya
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

I think this was a comment but it should be an answer. Just start taking the comments 100% as if they were serious

Him : What a genius

You : Well thanks man, yeah the smart move is usually to find someone else who has done the drudge work part and adapt it for our needs.

Him : That code is soooooo great...

You : I know. It really fit the design brief, I hope you remember those words when it's time for a pay review (laugh)

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
  – Matt
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
  – tomdemaine
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

I suspect the manager just isn't that adept at conversations and took a bit snarky line because he couldn't think of a better way to follow up on your answer. Would you prefer he just shut his mouth and walked off in silence upon hearing your answer? He probably felt that the conversation requires him to add a remark and he did the only he had on the mind. Not a good one, but I see no malice from him.

Actually, I think you put him in a hard spot with your rebutal. Manager tried to praise you - "Woah, you made this all alone?" - that's an exclamation not a question. You answered in a way that (especially for non-coders) sounds like denial "nah, I just copied a solution". That's a tough one to follow up. What line would you expect from him? Should he have said "Ah, I guess that's kind of OK as well"?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: Are you being sarcastic or should I take this as a compliment?
Or What do you mean?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
  – Digitalsa1nt
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: whatever..
(after a sec)
Lets keep moving

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
  – Matthew Read
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

protected by Community♦ 2 days ago

Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?

13 Answers
13

active

oldest

votes

13 Answers
13

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
54
down vote



accepted

Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing.

You can sidetrack some of this by expanding on your comments to show any extra working that you've done on top of copy-pasting code or highlight how much time is saved you.

I found the code online and it saved a lot of time, I'll use the same technique in other things as well.

But don't read too much into comments like this, as long as you're being productive, you should be fine.

share|improve this answer

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
  – Mast
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
54
down vote



accepted

Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing.

You can sidetrack some of this by expanding on your comments to show any extra working that you've done on top of copy-pasting code or highlight how much time is saved you.

I found the code online and it saved a lot of time, I'll use the same technique in other things as well.

But don't read too much into comments like this, as long as you're being productive, you should be fine.

share|improve this answer

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
  – Mast
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
54
down vote



accepted

up vote
54
down vote



accepted

Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing.

You can sidetrack some of this by expanding on your comments to show any extra working that you've done on top of copy-pasting code or highlight how much time is saved you.

I found the code online and it saved a lot of time, I'll use the same technique in other things as well.

But don't read too much into comments like this, as long as you're being productive, you should be fine.

share|improve this answer

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing.

You can sidetrack some of this by expanding on your comments to show any extra working that you've done on top of copy-pasting code or highlight how much time is saved you.

I found the code online and it saved a lot of time, I'll use the same technique in other things as well.

But don't read too much into comments like this, as long as you're being productive, you should be fine.

share|improve this answer

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

edited yesterday

Martin Tournoij

6,05941836

6,05941836

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

answered 2 days ago

Snow♦

55k47178225

55k47178225

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
  – Mast
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
  – Astariul
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
  – Mast
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
– Astariul
2 days ago

I like this answer because it's the least confrontational, leaving the manager no room for 'fight back', but still force him to think again about what he said to me.
– Astariul
2 days ago

1

1

"Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
– Mast
5 hours ago

"Ignore it and carry on with doing what you're doing." Exactly. Don't try to change the behaviour of your manager. Leave it be.
– Mast
5 hours ago

add a comment | 

up vote
91
down vote

How can i professionally handle that kind of remark?

Ideally, i want him to understand that i do not like that kind of
remark

This is more snark than irony.

When someone tries to be snarky to me, I usually pause, look at them for about a minute, then turn around and walk away without comment.

Unless they are particularly dense, they understand that I don't like that kind of remark.

And I don't make a habit of working for stupid managers for very long.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  – Jane S♦
  22 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
91
down vote

How can i professionally handle that kind of remark?

Ideally, i want him to understand that i do not like that kind of
remark

This is more snark than irony.

When someone tries to be snarky to me, I usually pause, look at them for about a minute, then turn around and walk away without comment.

Unless they are particularly dense, they understand that I don't like that kind of remark.

And I don't make a habit of working for stupid managers for very long.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  – Jane S♦
  22 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
91
down vote

up vote
91
down vote

How can i professionally handle that kind of remark?

Ideally, i want him to understand that i do not like that kind of
remark

This is more snark than irony.

When someone tries to be snarky to me, I usually pause, look at them for about a minute, then turn around and walk away without comment.

Unless they are particularly dense, they understand that I don't like that kind of remark.

And I don't make a habit of working for stupid managers for very long.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

How can i professionally handle that kind of remark?

Ideally, i want him to understand that i do not like that kind of
remark

This is more snark than irony.

When someone tries to be snarky to me, I usually pause, look at them for about a minute, then turn around and walk away without comment.

Unless they are particularly dense, they understand that I don't like that kind of remark.

And I don't make a habit of working for stupid managers for very long.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

answered 2 days ago

Joe Strazzere

234k114688977

234k114688977

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  – Jane S♦
  22 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  – Jane S♦
  22 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Jane S♦
22 hours ago

Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Jane S♦
22 hours ago

add a comment | 

up vote
52
down vote

My View and Experience

This very much sounds like it could be a friendly joke/sarcasm. This happens in American workplace's very much, particularly in blue collar workplaces.

I've had multiple bosses that do this, and it's generally lighthearted, and helps foster a sense of camaraderie. For example, in one of my early jobs, we would have many conversations like this:

Manager: Did you do this?

Me: No, that was Jim.

Manager: grins - I knew you couldn't make it look this good!

The Manager gave me a raise soon after, and told me to keep up the good work. Even though his sentence out of context was negative, it was very clearly a good-natured jab. Once I got to know him a bit better, I would throw similar jabs back.

Now that I work in a "white collar" job (Software Engineering), I can say that it certainly happens here, but at a different level. The jokes aren't as harsh, or as negative, but they still happen, and I can very much see your conversation playing out in my workplace - the difference is, I would take it as a joke.

We cannot decipher his tone or intentions via an out of context quote, however, I'd say that most managers are good-ish managers, since they had to be selected to get to that position. Unless you have one of the bad ones out there, it's likely that he meant it in a lighthearted manner. Some managers specifically do it to improve camaraderie in the workplace.

What can you do about this?

Try to view it in a positive light - if you simply can't, and you believe he's truly meaning it in a negative way, speak to a coworker and see if he feels the same way. Speak laterally - to other juniors. Don't have this conversation with someone that could potentially mention your concerns to the manager.

What can you respond with?

This singular phrase (below) is a get out of jail free card, for whenever your boss critiques you for lack of work, using sources, etc. I've used it a few times.

I like to work smarter, not harder!

share|improve this answer

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
52
down vote

My View and Experience

This very much sounds like it could be a friendly joke/sarcasm. This happens in American workplace's very much, particularly in blue collar workplaces.

I've had multiple bosses that do this, and it's generally lighthearted, and helps foster a sense of camaraderie. For example, in one of my early jobs, we would have many conversations like this:

Manager: Did you do this?

Me: No, that was Jim.

Manager: grins - I knew you couldn't make it look this good!

The Manager gave me a raise soon after, and told me to keep up the good work. Even though his sentence out of context was negative, it was very clearly a good-natured jab. Once I got to know him a bit better, I would throw similar jabs back.

Now that I work in a "white collar" job (Software Engineering), I can say that it certainly happens here, but at a different level. The jokes aren't as harsh, or as negative, but they still happen, and I can very much see your conversation playing out in my workplace - the difference is, I would take it as a joke.

We cannot decipher his tone or intentions via an out of context quote, however, I'd say that most managers are good-ish managers, since they had to be selected to get to that position. Unless you have one of the bad ones out there, it's likely that he meant it in a lighthearted manner. Some managers specifically do it to improve camaraderie in the workplace.

What can you do about this?

Try to view it in a positive light - if you simply can't, and you believe he's truly meaning it in a negative way, speak to a coworker and see if he feels the same way. Speak laterally - to other juniors. Don't have this conversation with someone that could potentially mention your concerns to the manager.

What can you respond with?

This singular phrase (below) is a get out of jail free card, for whenever your boss critiques you for lack of work, using sources, etc. I've used it a few times.

I like to work smarter, not harder!

share|improve this answer

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
52
down vote

up vote
52
down vote

My View and Experience

This very much sounds like it could be a friendly joke/sarcasm. This happens in American workplace's very much, particularly in blue collar workplaces.

I've had multiple bosses that do this, and it's generally lighthearted, and helps foster a sense of camaraderie. For example, in one of my early jobs, we would have many conversations like this:

Manager: Did you do this?

Me: No, that was Jim.

Manager: grins - I knew you couldn't make it look this good!

The Manager gave me a raise soon after, and told me to keep up the good work. Even though his sentence out of context was negative, it was very clearly a good-natured jab. Once I got to know him a bit better, I would throw similar jabs back.

Now that I work in a "white collar" job (Software Engineering), I can say that it certainly happens here, but at a different level. The jokes aren't as harsh, or as negative, but they still happen, and I can very much see your conversation playing out in my workplace - the difference is, I would take it as a joke.

We cannot decipher his tone or intentions via an out of context quote, however, I'd say that most managers are good-ish managers, since they had to be selected to get to that position. Unless you have one of the bad ones out there, it's likely that he meant it in a lighthearted manner. Some managers specifically do it to improve camaraderie in the workplace.

What can you do about this?

Try to view it in a positive light - if you simply can't, and you believe he's truly meaning it in a negative way, speak to a coworker and see if he feels the same way. Speak laterally - to other juniors. Don't have this conversation with someone that could potentially mention your concerns to the manager.

What can you respond with?

This singular phrase (below) is a get out of jail free card, for whenever your boss critiques you for lack of work, using sources, etc. I've used it a few times.

I like to work smarter, not harder!

share|improve this answer

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

My View and Experience

This very much sounds like it could be a friendly joke/sarcasm. This happens in American workplace's very much, particularly in blue collar workplaces.

I've had multiple bosses that do this, and it's generally lighthearted, and helps foster a sense of camaraderie. For example, in one of my early jobs, we would have many conversations like this:

Manager: Did you do this?

Me: No, that was Jim.

Manager: grins - I knew you couldn't make it look this good!

The Manager gave me a raise soon after, and told me to keep up the good work. Even though his sentence out of context was negative, it was very clearly a good-natured jab. Once I got to know him a bit better, I would throw similar jabs back.

Now that I work in a "white collar" job (Software Engineering), I can say that it certainly happens here, but at a different level. The jokes aren't as harsh, or as negative, but they still happen, and I can very much see your conversation playing out in my workplace - the difference is, I would take it as a joke.

We cannot decipher his tone or intentions via an out of context quote, however, I'd say that most managers are good-ish managers, since they had to be selected to get to that position. Unless you have one of the bad ones out there, it's likely that he meant it in a lighthearted manner. Some managers specifically do it to improve camaraderie in the workplace.

What can you do about this?

Try to view it in a positive light - if you simply can't, and you believe he's truly meaning it in a negative way, speak to a coworker and see if he feels the same way. Speak laterally - to other juniors. Don't have this conversation with someone that could potentially mention your concerns to the manager.

What can you respond with?

This singular phrase (below) is a get out of jail free card, for whenever your boss critiques you for lack of work, using sources, etc. I've used it a few times.

I like to work smarter, not harder!

share|improve this answer

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

edited 3 mins ago

V2Blast

18718

18718

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

answered 2 days ago

Matt

64116

64116

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Matt is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
46
down vote

The best way to react to snark/sarcasm is to either ignore it or take it literally, or snark back a tiny bit.

Him: What a genius..

You: I know, but I try to stay humble.

IT is INFAMOUS for snark. Get used to it, the culture isn't going to change. Just let it go, it's part of the job.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

• 
  
  
  

  
  13
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
  – Joe Strazzere
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
  – UKMonkey
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
  – Richard U
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  6
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
  – Aaron
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
  – Morgen
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 5 more comments

up vote
46
down vote

The best way to react to snark/sarcasm is to either ignore it or take it literally, or snark back a tiny bit.

Him: What a genius..

You: I know, but I try to stay humble.

IT is INFAMOUS for snark. Get used to it, the culture isn't going to change. Just let it go, it's part of the job.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

• 
  
  
  

  
  13
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
  – Joe Strazzere
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
  – UKMonkey
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
  – Richard U
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  6
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
  – Aaron
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
  – Morgen
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 5 more comments

up vote
46
down vote

up vote
46
down vote

The best way to react to snark/sarcasm is to either ignore it or take it literally, or snark back a tiny bit.

Him: What a genius..

You: I know, but I try to stay humble.

IT is INFAMOUS for snark. Get used to it, the culture isn't going to change. Just let it go, it's part of the job.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

The best way to react to snark/sarcasm is to either ignore it or take it literally, or snark back a tiny bit.

Him: What a genius..

You: I know, but I try to stay humble.

IT is INFAMOUS for snark. Get used to it, the culture isn't going to change. Just let it go, it's part of the job.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

answered 2 days ago

Richard U

80.4k59206322

80.4k59206322

• 
  
  
  

  
  13
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
  – Joe Strazzere
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
  – UKMonkey
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
  – Richard U
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  6
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
  – Aaron
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
  – Morgen
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 5 more comments

• 
  
  
  

  
  13
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
  – Joe Strazzere
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
  – UKMonkey
  2 days ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
  – Richard U
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  6
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
  – Aaron
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
  – Morgen
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

13

13

Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
– Joe Strazzere
2 days ago

Not all managers are snarky. Not all in IT are snarky. In my personal experience, not even most.
– Joe Strazzere
2 days ago

3

3

Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
– UKMonkey
2 days ago

Taking the comment literally is imho the best answer. No joke is worse than one that needs explaining. He's doing it to try and be funny and show off to others... essentially, he's an office bully. The only way to permanently counter bullies is to punch them in the nose. Aside: I mentioned in an interview once that as part of their test I'd copied and pasted code from the internet.... I got the job; because the ability to research is always useful.
– UKMonkey
2 days ago

1

1

@JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
– Richard U
2 days ago

@JoeStrazzere we have worked in very different places then.
– Richard U
2 days ago

6

6

I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
– Aaron
2 days ago

I had to downvote here because telling people to get used to toxic work environments is almost never the correct answer. At my current workplace, you might find yourself in a meeting with the ethics department if they found out you had that attitude. The first half of the answer was good, but the last paragraph is where the problem lies.
– Aaron
2 days ago

3

3

@Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
– Morgen
yesterday

@Aaron I agree that tolerating a toxic environment is a last (don't starve) resort. I don't agree that snark necessarily implies a toxic environment. Can snark be used to cut people down? Absolutely, and this shouldn't be tolerated. Can snark be a legitimate form of non-abusive humor? Absolutely.
– Morgen
yesterday

 | 
show 5 more comments

up vote
23
down vote

As other answers have correctly pointed out, your manager could've shut his mouth (like, nobody copies code from internet...? oh dear).

What I usually apply in those cases is pretend not to get the sarcasm.

Thanks! But I really did nothing special.

If they go on, then you can get confrontational, but it's almost never the case, and your manager certainly doesn't want to spark a discussion he doesn't want to have.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
  – bob
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
23
down vote

As other answers have correctly pointed out, your manager could've shut his mouth (like, nobody copies code from internet...? oh dear).

What I usually apply in those cases is pretend not to get the sarcasm.

Thanks! But I really did nothing special.

If they go on, then you can get confrontational, but it's almost never the case, and your manager certainly doesn't want to spark a discussion he doesn't want to have.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
  – bob
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
23
down vote

up vote
23
down vote

As other answers have correctly pointed out, your manager could've shut his mouth (like, nobody copies code from internet...? oh dear).

What I usually apply in those cases is pretend not to get the sarcasm.

Thanks! But I really did nothing special.

If they go on, then you can get confrontational, but it's almost never the case, and your manager certainly doesn't want to spark a discussion he doesn't want to have.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

As other answers have correctly pointed out, your manager could've shut his mouth (like, nobody copies code from internet...? oh dear).

What I usually apply in those cases is pretend not to get the sarcasm.

Thanks! But I really did nothing special.

If they go on, then you can get confrontational, but it's almost never the case, and your manager certainly doesn't want to spark a discussion he doesn't want to have.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

edited 2 days ago

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

answered 2 days ago

Cris

1,101411

1,101411

• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
  – bob
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
  – bob
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

5

5

This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
– bob
2 days ago

This is an excellent answer as it diffuses the abuse without representing insubordination. It's a very professional way to deal with an abusive person who is over you.
– bob
2 days ago

add a comment | 

up vote
10
down vote

So long as it's banterous in nature, fight fire with fire...

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: It isn't exactly a bull market for reinventions of the wheel right now.

NB: 'Bull market' is an investing term for when everything is on the up. 'Bear market' is the opposite, where everything is going south.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
  – Zpalmtree
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
10
down vote

So long as it's banterous in nature, fight fire with fire...

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: It isn't exactly a bull market for reinventions of the wheel right now.

NB: 'Bull market' is an investing term for when everything is on the up. 'Bear market' is the opposite, where everything is going south.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
  – Zpalmtree
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
10
down vote

up vote
10
down vote

So long as it's banterous in nature, fight fire with fire...

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: It isn't exactly a bull market for reinventions of the wheel right now.

NB: 'Bull market' is an investing term for when everything is on the up. 'Bear market' is the opposite, where everything is going south.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

So long as it's banterous in nature, fight fire with fire...

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: It isn't exactly a bull market for reinventions of the wheel right now.

NB: 'Bull market' is an investing term for when everything is on the up. 'Bear market' is the opposite, where everything is going south.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

answered 2 days ago

520

64129

64129

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
  – Zpalmtree
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
  – Zpalmtree
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
– Zpalmtree
yesterday

I agree, coming from the UK this just sounds like friendly banter.
– Zpalmtree
yesterday

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

Two thoughts:

---

First you need to give yourself proper credit for what you accomplished.
If all you did was a copy/paste code that someone else pointed out to you, then your answer was fine.

However, I expect you did more than just what you were told to do.

Next time try something like this:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: Yes I did. I started with similar code that I found on site name and adapted it.

Him: different silly remark

---

Second, to your actual questions...

I am new... it is my first job. I do not want to confront him... I do not like that kind of remark... I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

Give him a slight smile to show that you understand and appreciate the praise/camaraderie. But not a real one that encourages more of those remarks. If you get snarky back you risk having the good working relationship - you already don't relate to him and you don't know how far is too far - watch how others on your team react and reconsider in a couple months (after you have data!)

As stated by others he's likely just trying to connect with you (in his own way). Regard this as harmless unless he is treating you differently than everyone else.

You don't mention the country, but I have worked closely with Chinese & Japanese engineers; I expect it would work with them.

Welcome to the 'real world' (for lack of a better phrase). This is just something to get used to if you want to be able to work with a wide variety of people. If that isn't your desire - don't panic - with a few years experience you'll be in a better position to choose who you work for.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

Two thoughts:

---

First you need to give yourself proper credit for what you accomplished.
If all you did was a copy/paste code that someone else pointed out to you, then your answer was fine.

However, I expect you did more than just what you were told to do.

Next time try something like this:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: Yes I did. I started with similar code that I found on site name and adapted it.

Him: different silly remark

---

Second, to your actual questions...

I am new... it is my first job. I do not want to confront him... I do not like that kind of remark... I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

Give him a slight smile to show that you understand and appreciate the praise/camaraderie. But not a real one that encourages more of those remarks. If you get snarky back you risk having the good working relationship - you already don't relate to him and you don't know how far is too far - watch how others on your team react and reconsider in a couple months (after you have data!)

As stated by others he's likely just trying to connect with you (in his own way). Regard this as harmless unless he is treating you differently than everyone else.

You don't mention the country, but I have worked closely with Chinese & Japanese engineers; I expect it would work with them.

Welcome to the 'real world' (for lack of a better phrase). This is just something to get used to if you want to be able to work with a wide variety of people. If that isn't your desire - don't panic - with a few years experience you'll be in a better position to choose who you work for.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

up vote
9
down vote

Two thoughts:

---

First you need to give yourself proper credit for what you accomplished.
If all you did was a copy/paste code that someone else pointed out to you, then your answer was fine.

However, I expect you did more than just what you were told to do.

Next time try something like this:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: Yes I did. I started with similar code that I found on site name and adapted it.

Him: different silly remark

---

Second, to your actual questions...

I am new... it is my first job. I do not want to confront him... I do not like that kind of remark... I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

Give him a slight smile to show that you understand and appreciate the praise/camaraderie. But not a real one that encourages more of those remarks. If you get snarky back you risk having the good working relationship - you already don't relate to him and you don't know how far is too far - watch how others on your team react and reconsider in a couple months (after you have data!)

As stated by others he's likely just trying to connect with you (in his own way). Regard this as harmless unless he is treating you differently than everyone else.

You don't mention the country, but I have worked closely with Chinese & Japanese engineers; I expect it would work with them.

Welcome to the 'real world' (for lack of a better phrase). This is just something to get used to if you want to be able to work with a wide variety of people. If that isn't your desire - don't panic - with a few years experience you'll be in a better position to choose who you work for.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

Two thoughts:

---

First you need to give yourself proper credit for what you accomplished.
If all you did was a copy/paste code that someone else pointed out to you, then your answer was fine.

However, I expect you did more than just what you were told to do.

Next time try something like this:

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: Yes I did. I started with similar code that I found on site name and adapted it.

Him: different silly remark

---

Second, to your actual questions...

I am new... it is my first job. I do not want to confront him... I do not like that kind of remark... I wish to have a good working relationship with him.

Give him a slight smile to show that you understand and appreciate the praise/camaraderie. But not a real one that encourages more of those remarks. If you get snarky back you risk having the good working relationship - you already don't relate to him and you don't know how far is too far - watch how others on your team react and reconsider in a couple months (after you have data!)

As stated by others he's likely just trying to connect with you (in his own way). Regard this as harmless unless he is treating you differently than everyone else.

You don't mention the country, but I have worked closely with Chinese & Japanese engineers; I expect it would work with them.

Welcome to the 'real world' (for lack of a better phrase). This is just something to get used to if you want to be able to work with a wide variety of people. If that isn't your desire - don't panic - with a few years experience you'll be in a better position to choose who you work for.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

edited 2 days ago

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

answered 2 days ago

J. Chris Compton

1,127310

1,127310

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
– Patrick Trentin
12 hours ago

Your challenge to the OP's criteria for attributing ownership is quite interesting, +1
– Patrick Trentin
12 hours ago

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

While the manager's snide remark seems unprofessional, perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas from publicly available code released under a possibly incompatible license (or no license whatsoever)?

Your manager could be worried, for instance, that the borrowed code will not be different enough to be clean copyright-wise and cause severe legal problems for the company in the long run.

To clarify these concerns, I would just ask back, "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" (S)he may give another sarcastic remark and tell you to carry on OR (s)he will share their concerns which you both could discuss in a civil manner. At any rate, you will get their perspective on things without risking anything.

Also note that if (s)he is not a native English speaker, the perceived sarcasm may very well have been intended to be a word of encouragement that got twisted in translation.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
  – Trilarion
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
  – fullerene
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

While the manager's snide remark seems unprofessional, perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas from publicly available code released under a possibly incompatible license (or no license whatsoever)?

Your manager could be worried, for instance, that the borrowed code will not be different enough to be clean copyright-wise and cause severe legal problems for the company in the long run.

To clarify these concerns, I would just ask back, "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" (S)he may give another sarcastic remark and tell you to carry on OR (s)he will share their concerns which you both could discuss in a civil manner. At any rate, you will get their perspective on things without risking anything.

Also note that if (s)he is not a native English speaker, the perceived sarcasm may very well have been intended to be a word of encouragement that got twisted in translation.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
  – Trilarion
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
  – fullerene
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

up vote
7
down vote

While the manager's snide remark seems unprofessional, perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas from publicly available code released under a possibly incompatible license (or no license whatsoever)?

Your manager could be worried, for instance, that the borrowed code will not be different enough to be clean copyright-wise and cause severe legal problems for the company in the long run.

To clarify these concerns, I would just ask back, "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" (S)he may give another sarcastic remark and tell you to carry on OR (s)he will share their concerns which you both could discuss in a civil manner. At any rate, you will get their perspective on things without risking anything.

Also note that if (s)he is not a native English speaker, the perceived sarcasm may very well have been intended to be a word of encouragement that got twisted in translation.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

While the manager's snide remark seems unprofessional, perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas from publicly available code released under a possibly incompatible license (or no license whatsoever)?

Your manager could be worried, for instance, that the borrowed code will not be different enough to be clean copyright-wise and cause severe legal problems for the company in the long run.

To clarify these concerns, I would just ask back, "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" (S)he may give another sarcastic remark and tell you to carry on OR (s)he will share their concerns which you both could discuss in a civil manner. At any rate, you will get their perspective on things without risking anything.

Also note that if (s)he is not a native English speaker, the perceived sarcasm may very well have been intended to be a word of encouragement that got twisted in translation.

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 2 days ago

edited 2 days ago

edited 2 days ago

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

answered 2 days ago

fullerene

457138

457138

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
  – Trilarion
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
  – fullerene
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
  – Trilarion
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
  – fullerene
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

2

2

"...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
– Trilarion
yesterday

"...perhaps there is a reason (s)he has an issue with you borrowing ideas..." If the manager has an issue with it, he or she should probably say it in more unambiguous terms. However, the "Is there anything wrong with my approach?" answer is a good one for many occasions.
– Trilarion
yesterday

@Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
– fullerene
yesterday

@Trilarion A good manager certainly should, but a so-so manager may not realize they are being unclear. Also note that the incident took place in Asia where people tend to be more roundabout in expressing their thoughts. At any rate, with so many unknown variables the only reasonable thing in my opinion is to assume no malice and ask for a clarification.
– fullerene
yesterday

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

You are taking the Manager's comment as an insult and yet you have no idea what the manager's intention or meaning behind the comment was.

When I don't understand what someone was trying to say, I find it quite useful to ask for clarification rather than guess their intent.

In your case..."I don't understand what you are trying to say with that comment. Could you please explain what you meant?".

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
  – Bilkokuya
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

You are taking the Manager's comment as an insult and yet you have no idea what the manager's intention or meaning behind the comment was.

When I don't understand what someone was trying to say, I find it quite useful to ask for clarification rather than guess their intent.

In your case..."I don't understand what you are trying to say with that comment. Could you please explain what you meant?".

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
  – Bilkokuya
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

up vote
4
down vote

You are taking the Manager's comment as an insult and yet you have no idea what the manager's intention or meaning behind the comment was.

When I don't understand what someone was trying to say, I find it quite useful to ask for clarification rather than guess their intent.

In your case..."I don't understand what you are trying to say with that comment. Could you please explain what you meant?".

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

You are taking the Manager's comment as an insult and yet you have no idea what the manager's intention or meaning behind the comment was.

When I don't understand what someone was trying to say, I find it quite useful to ask for clarification rather than guess their intent.

In your case..."I don't understand what you are trying to say with that comment. Could you please explain what you meant?".

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

answered 2 days ago

Dunk

1,16578

1,16578

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
  – Bilkokuya
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
  – Bilkokuya
  yesterday
  
  

  
  
  
  

I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
– Bilkokuya
yesterday

I think this is one of the best approaches, not only if you don't understand what they meant - but especially when you think what they said wasn't appropriate. If it was innocent originally, no harm will be done - if it wasn't, it forces the person to see what they're saying isn't appropriate.
– Bilkokuya
yesterday

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

I think this was a comment but it should be an answer. Just start taking the comments 100% as if they were serious

Him : What a genius

You : Well thanks man, yeah the smart move is usually to find someone else who has done the drudge work part and adapt it for our needs.

Him : That code is soooooo great...

You : I know. It really fit the design brief, I hope you remember those words when it's time for a pay review (laugh)

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
  – Matt
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
  – tomdemaine
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

I think this was a comment but it should be an answer. Just start taking the comments 100% as if they were serious

Him : What a genius

You : Well thanks man, yeah the smart move is usually to find someone else who has done the drudge work part and adapt it for our needs.

Him : That code is soooooo great...

You : I know. It really fit the design brief, I hope you remember those words when it's time for a pay review (laugh)

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
  – Matt
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
  – tomdemaine
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

I think this was a comment but it should be an answer. Just start taking the comments 100% as if they were serious

Him : What a genius

You : Well thanks man, yeah the smart move is usually to find someone else who has done the drudge work part and adapt it for our needs.

Him : That code is soooooo great...

You : I know. It really fit the design brief, I hope you remember those words when it's time for a pay review (laugh)

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

I think this was a comment but it should be an answer. Just start taking the comments 100% as if they were serious

Him : What a genius

You : Well thanks man, yeah the smart move is usually to find someone else who has done the drudge work part and adapt it for our needs.

Him : That code is soooooo great...

You : I know. It really fit the design brief, I hope you remember those words when it's time for a pay review (laugh)

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

answered 2 days ago

tomdemaine

1191

1191

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

tomdemaine is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
  – Matt
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
  – tomdemaine
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
  – Matt
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
  – tomdemaine
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

2

2

This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
– Matt
2 days ago

This seems a bit too confrontational. Don't be this jarring to someone that signs your paychecks!
– Matt
2 days ago

You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
– tomdemaine
2 days ago

You have to be able to sell that you don't understand it's meant to be sarcastic.
– tomdemaine
2 days ago

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

I suspect the manager just isn't that adept at conversations and took a bit snarky line because he couldn't think of a better way to follow up on your answer. Would you prefer he just shut his mouth and walked off in silence upon hearing your answer? He probably felt that the conversation requires him to add a remark and he did the only he had on the mind. Not a good one, but I see no malice from him.

Actually, I think you put him in a hard spot with your rebutal. Manager tried to praise you - "Woah, you made this all alone?" - that's an exclamation not a question. You answered in a way that (especially for non-coders) sounds like denial "nah, I just copied a solution". That's a tough one to follow up. What line would you expect from him? Should he have said "Ah, I guess that's kind of OK as well"?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

I suspect the manager just isn't that adept at conversations and took a bit snarky line because he couldn't think of a better way to follow up on your answer. Would you prefer he just shut his mouth and walked off in silence upon hearing your answer? He probably felt that the conversation requires him to add a remark and he did the only he had on the mind. Not a good one, but I see no malice from him.

Actually, I think you put him in a hard spot with your rebutal. Manager tried to praise you - "Woah, you made this all alone?" - that's an exclamation not a question. You answered in a way that (especially for non-coders) sounds like denial "nah, I just copied a solution". That's a tough one to follow up. What line would you expect from him? Should he have said "Ah, I guess that's kind of OK as well"?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

I suspect the manager just isn't that adept at conversations and took a bit snarky line because he couldn't think of a better way to follow up on your answer. Would you prefer he just shut his mouth and walked off in silence upon hearing your answer? He probably felt that the conversation requires him to add a remark and he did the only he had on the mind. Not a good one, but I see no malice from him.

Actually, I think you put him in a hard spot with your rebutal. Manager tried to praise you - "Woah, you made this all alone?" - that's an exclamation not a question. You answered in a way that (especially for non-coders) sounds like denial "nah, I just copied a solution". That's a tough one to follow up. What line would you expect from him? Should he have said "Ah, I guess that's kind of OK as well"?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

I suspect the manager just isn't that adept at conversations and took a bit snarky line because he couldn't think of a better way to follow up on your answer. Would you prefer he just shut his mouth and walked off in silence upon hearing your answer? He probably felt that the conversation requires him to add a remark and he did the only he had on the mind. Not a good one, but I see no malice from him.

Actually, I think you put him in a hard spot with your rebutal. Manager tried to praise you - "Woah, you made this all alone?" - that's an exclamation not a question. You answered in a way that (especially for non-coders) sounds like denial "nah, I just copied a solution". That's a tough one to follow up. What line would you expect from him? Should he have said "Ah, I guess that's kind of OK as well"?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

answered 2 days ago

Džuris

1,233614

1,233614

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
  – Patrick Trentin
  12 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
– Patrick Trentin
12 hours ago

I don't really follow your reasoning. He could have acknowledged the OP with 'I see.' and just stop there. Or many other possible sentences which do not expose any judgement.
– Patrick Trentin
12 hours ago

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: Are you being sarcastic or should I take this as a compliment?
Or What do you mean?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
  – Digitalsa1nt
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: Are you being sarcastic or should I take this as a compliment?
Or What do you mean?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
  – Digitalsa1nt
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: Are you being sarcastic or should I take this as a compliment?
Or What do you mean?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: Are you being sarcastic or should I take this as a compliment?
Or What do you mean?

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

answered 2 days ago

user94152

191

191

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

user94152 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
  – Digitalsa1nt
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
  – Digitalsa1nt
  yesterday
  

  
  
  
  

3

3

This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
– Digitalsa1nt
yesterday

This seems a little confrontational, perhaps a more indirect approach should be considered.
– Digitalsa1nt
yesterday

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: whatever..
(after a sec)
Lets keep moving

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
  – Matthew Read
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: whatever..
(after a sec)
Lets keep moving

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
  – Matthew Read
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-1
down vote

up vote
-1
down vote

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: whatever..
(after a sec)
Lets keep moving

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Him: Did you implement this all alone?

You: No, I used code found on internet as a model.

Him: What a genius..

You: whatever..
(after a sec)
Lets keep moving

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

answered 2 days ago

user94147

71

71

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

user94147 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
  – Matthew Read
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
  – Matthew Read
  2 days ago
  

  
  
  
  

3

3

Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
– Matthew Read
2 days ago

Could you provide some reasoning for this response?
– Matthew Read
2 days ago

add a comment | 

protected by Community♦ 2 days ago

Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?