Hello all, I’d like to get some outside perspective on a situation I’m dealing with at work. I started a new job last year and in order to try to fit in and make new friends with coworkers I joined a work fantasy football league. After the draft, I found out that the supposed “punishment” for last place in the league is going on a date to hooters with a blow up doll while the rest of the guys in the league take pictures and laugh at you. I’m a pretty shy, quiet guy so the thought of doing this with coworkers I barely know was a nightmare to me. Well I ended up not saying anything and just hoping I didn’t end up getting last. You guys can probably guess what ended up happening! Lucky me got last in the league after the regular season. (Even though I finished 7th after the playoffs, but they say that doesn’t count). I ended up going back and forth with myself if I would suck it up and do the “punishment” or not. I basically had a social anxiety crisis and ended up deciding I wasn’t going to do it. I even spoke to a counselor from the 988 suicide hotline about it. My question for you guys is am I being a sore loser about this? Should I have handled this situation differently? I hate being the guy that doesn’t go through with my end of a bet/deal but I didn’t even know about the blow up doll date “punishment” before I joined. Now I’m feeling a lot of awkwardness and judgment at work because of this. Sometimes it’s miserable being in the office now. Maybe it’s all in my head but still. I’ve also been looking for new jobs ever since this stupid situation. Tried to fit in and ended up getting screwed. Please let me know what y’all think.
Going to Hooter's with a blow-up doll isn't that bad. Also sounds like something the restaurant would not even allow inside their building in the first place.
I would stand my ground on that. Why do people have to have stupid things for losers? It's absolutely stupid to me. I'm sorry you're looking for a new job because of that situation.
I guess it isn’t that bad, but I got super anxious about it. What made it worse was they started telling other people in the office about it. I was getting comments from people that weren’t even in the league.
Good point, it’s actually made me realize I don’t have to try to fit in with everybody. I’ve always kinda naturally been a loner/outcast.
Idk dude I don’t even think that’s social anxiety, that’s just being normal. I don’t have too many problems with meeting new people, but that would actually freak me out.
Honestly I don’t even care about being friends with them anymore it’s just the awkwardness at work that is frustrating me. Honestly I don’t even think half the guys care that I bailed, I just don’t like the feeling of being judged that I was too much of wimp to do it or something. I think I care way too much about what me peers think of me.
