I hate my job...
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(Another Reddit-style post in the style of a repost, but please feel free to interact regardless! Think of them as “top comments” or “relevant comments”.
Based on a couple of my go-to characters. She’s just started at a new company and has had a bit of a rough start. Will have three follow-up posts/updates.)
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r/BestofOfficeDrama
u/PuddingGremlin_9kI hate my job, but I don’t know if I’m being too sensitive.
I am NOT the Original Poster. That is: u/Redeyed-Peach123
Originally posted to r/RealOffMyChest
Trigger Warning: depressing at the start, workplace bullying, dangerous workplace
Mood Spoiler: things look up for OP, OP realises something about herself, gets a bit raunchy towards the end but not graphic
Original post - February 10, 2XXX
This is a long one, sorry. Please excuse my English, it’s not my first language.
I (XXf) live in a country inhabited by Bigs and Tinies (closest translations I could find). The two terms were chosen based on the significant size binary that exists in my country: a Big is, well, big to a Tiny; a Tiny is tiny to a Big. Both sides think their respective label is inaccurate, but accept them nonetheless in hopes of building empathy between Bigs and Tinies.
I have been asked before which of us are “human sized”, but I don’t know really know what that means. And I haven’t really had the interest to find out, sorry.
Anyway, I am a Tiny. For a long time, we were considered the lowest of society’s rungs while also being the most vulnerable - physically, socially, etc. You get it. My country has gone through a lot of political change over the past few decades, namely the consolidation of Big and Tiny populations, the recognition of Tiny rights, and greater advocacy for safe and accessible interactions between Tinies and Bigs. Things aren’t perfect, but they’re better from even just a few years ago.
I work at a Big-run and owned company. I applied for a cultural advisory job that opened up a few months ago, apparently part of an initiative to make their company more Tiny friendly - for employees, clients, visitors, etc. It sounded great, really up my alley (I studied anthropology and cross-cultural ethnography) and the pay lets me afford to move to the city and rent on my own. My job is to assess their current systems and structures, and provide advice on how to accommodate Tinies in their offices. As far as I’m aware, I’m currently the only Tiny employee.
When I started, the office building had Tiny lifts to take me to the company’s floor, but the company itself didn’t think about how I would get around the office: it covers two consecutive floors and an additional meeting/conference room a couple floors further up. It’s huge - even for Bigs. I mean, I guess that’s what they got me in for, but I didn’t realise just how under-prepared they were: no stairs, ramps or lifts; no alternative means of traveling longer distances; no dedicated spaces or shelters to prevent any accidental collisions. I just got a “heads up” from my manager to stick to the walls and “watch where I’m going”. I don’t dare venture away from the wall anyway - the floors are just a sea of massive legs and feet that could crush me and not notice.
At the time, I thought “alright, well, it’s my job to assess this!” So I launched into writing my first report as soon as I could and submitted it to my manager. I thought it would be helpful to highlight ones that I think were urgent, but could be easily addressed, e.g. dedicating work and floor space for Tinies, installing visible floor markers and barriers, training and awareness for Bigs, etc.
Since raising issues, the office has been…tense. It’s been 3 months since I submitted and I’m here eating my lunch in a small, shabby demountable that’s been shoved into a dusty corner of the office. It shakes when someone gets too close, but it hasn’t collapsed. They’ve also installed a sign on the roof saying not to touch it - more than once, someone thought it was an old box or something. One time, I was inside and a co-worker picked it up. Their hand was blocking the door so I couldn’t open it. I had to break the window to yell out to them to put it back. They were kind enough to apologise at least. I put plastic wrap over the window and it hasn’t been repaired yet.
It’s not much, but it’s my break room, my office and my only refuge. I have to bring my own thermos with tea. There’s no fridge, so I need to make sure my food doesn’t have to be kept cold, or I bring my own freezer blocks. Most of my co-workers have responded with some envy, that they’d love their own space like I have. I don’t say anything about it anymore, I don’t want to be seen as entitled or a bother. And maybe they have a point. I call it my “corner office”, to try to have a more positive outlook about it.
Aside from my report, I’ve raised things directly with my manager. He used to be really receptive (or seemed to be at least), but lately it’s like he’s avoiding me. I mean, it’s probably easy for him when the person after you can’t physically keep up with you, right? I’ve resorted to emailing him so I’ve got a record of attempted communications. I haven’t been able to attend meetings because they’re so far away and I don’t have team members I can contact for help. It’s just me and my manager and, well…I think you can guess how that’s going.
I’ve met with HR, but they just gave me some pamphlets on employee counselling services and how to manage stress.
It’s been hard and there’s been so little change. It’s making me question why I’m even at my job in the first place. Like am I just some PR stunt? Or part of some box-ticking exercise? I feel like a guinea pig in some humiliating experiment that everyone gets to watch. I can’t even talk about this with my co-workers because it’s hard to make regular enough contact to establish any sort of connection, not to mention that they’ve been stand-offish lately. I’m a naturally shy person and making friends with Bigs is already daunting, but the isolation is getting bad enough that I’d be willing to just try.
Email and work chats exist to make plans I guess… I don’t know, maybe I’m not trying hard enough.
I have Tiny friends and my family to talk to, but it’s not the same. They’re already so proud that I was able to get a job with Bigs, I’d feel bad about ruining that image for them. There are so few Tiny jobs among Bigs, and it’s Big companies who still carry a lot of prestige. I also don’t like to take work back home with me. I try to keep my personal and work lives separate.
My next report is due soon and I’m tempted to make it really scathing. But should I? I really am grateful for even having the opportunity to be where I am, but am I being too sensitive?
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Reply Kamenriderfan001
Pudding I don’t think you’re being too sensitive about the issues on hand. They made a conscious choice about how they deal with you and it’s not cool. Unfortunately, I’ve had to deal with similar issues second hand with an old girlfriend two years ago. Like you she was a Tiny working in an office dominated by Bigs. Fresh out of college getting her first real job working for a life insurance company as an actuary. She was nervous about the whole thing working around giants. She figured she’d get used to it. After all she had me a Big as a boyfriend.
It was great for the first three months. She got used to the red tape line on the floor designating her walkway. Had a nice woman assisting her by carrying her up onto her desk. Toilet and breakroom remodeled for her needs. The issues began when her assistant went on maternity leave. She ended up with this creepy guy named G (abbreviated) and he was a little too eager to pick her up and carry her around places. He ended up asking her out and she turned him down due to yours truly. That’s when the harassment began. Leering over her. Weird grins. Then one day he made a joke about her being so small someone could eat her. She was a nervous wreck at home that night. I told her to go right to HR the next day and file a harassment complaint.
Complaint filed and he was removed as her assistant. Didn’t end there though. Kept pacing past her little desk during lunch breaks eating and swallowing whatever loudly as he looked at her. Another complaint and he was sent for “Sensitivity Training”. Seriously WTF?! It’s clear what this guy is about! Well my GF threatened to sue if he wasn’t fired. They broke even and transferred him to another office.
After that though things got worse. She got a reputation as someone “who can’t take a joke” or a bitch. Nobody would talk to her. Someone removed the red tape on the floor so she had to watch being stepped on. They wouldn’t clean her little bathroom. And worse yet they took away the lift they had installed a month prior so she didn’t need to be picked up and placed on the desk she worked on. She had to scale a 100ft. (to her) ladder just to get to her desk.
Me being a law student knew they had screwed up royally. In the United States we have what is called the Whistleblower Law. You can’t retaliate on an employee becase they made a complaint. Adding to that they violated OSHA (again an American thing) law with that stupid ladder. They didn’t even have sense to place her desk on the floor to accommodate her. I helped her file the paperwork with the state and they agreed they violated the law. She sued for a decent amount and she settled for an undisclosed amount.
Sorry for the long story but depending on your country, there may be similar laws protecting your class against this kind of harassment.
Good Luck!
K
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Reply from u/RancidMango3223
This whole MINUS thing is a hoax. I don’t know what country you’re in, but in my country we don’t have any “tiny people.” This whole thing is a conspiracy by woke Chinese Big Tech. Do your own research!
Even if we did have tiny people crawling around, we wouldn’t give them jobs. How useless is that? We’d sell 'em as pets or something. No reason to upend society just to accommodate vermin.
Have fun with your Polly Pocket girlfriend until you roll over her in bed one night lol!
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Relevant responses from OOP:
Replying to u/Kamenriderfan001(@Size_Master)
- Thank you for sharing this, I can definitely relate to your ex! Your story has given me something to think about. Big-Tiny employment integration efforts have been going for some time (the past decade or so), but at the same time, it still feels pretty new? If that makes sense. I’m aware that there are some protections, especially for tinies, but I’m not very familiar. I just started assuming people would already be doing the right thing, hence why I wondered if maybe I was just overthinking things, or expecting too much. This is also my first full-time office job so I really don’t know what’s “right or wrong”. I can’t afford legal advice, but I will do some research into what my rights are!
Replying to u/RancidMango3223 (@Olo)
- We were very lucky that my country’s isolation let us avoid the MINUS pandemic. I can only imagine what it would be like if I, or any other Tinies got even smaller! Would they even be able to communicate with Bigs at all?? What a strange disease…
I mean, I don’t know about the whole “conspiracy” thing where you are, but Tinies are definitely a reality here (hello!). Though you do sound like you’re one of those anti-Tiny conservatives that picketed the Dean’s office back when I was at university.
Update posted February 15, 2XXX
UPDATE: So on the recommendation of many of you, I started looking into my country’s work laws, worker’s rights and other things. And you were right: they were really similar to your own health and safety laws. Unfortunately, some aren’t as robust, like certain actions that businesses should be doing that are just “guidelines” or “strongly recommended”, like accesses and egresses. I believe there are new laws coming in, but the bills are yet to be passed (I’m also no law expert, so a lot of this is WAY over my head).
But coincidentally, a few days after my original post, the company owner/big boss visited the office. It was a random drop-in apparently, to see how things were going. Despite being given some notice, my manager didn’t give me a heads up, like he didn’t want me to know the big boss was coming in. I only happened to meet the big boss when my “corner office” started shaking and I ran out of there (a habit I developed after the time I broke the window). He was standing so close to it that his next step would have landed right on top of it. He stopped though and was just staring at it. He looked really mad. It’s already scary having a Big towering over you (no, you never get used to it), let alone a very angry one.
I was so terrified that I couldn’t move. I just stared at my small, vague reflection on the toe of his polished boot. Luckily, he turned back at the small crowd of Bigs behind him (my manager being among them) and demanded to know what the “Tiny advisor was doing in a shoebox.” He didn’t give them an opportunity to give their excuses, and told them how deplorable and insulting it was that they were subjecting me to these conditions.
When he looked back at me, I had to stop myself from screaming in fright. But he bent down, offered me his hand and apologised on behalf of the company. He took me aside into a private one-on-one meeting (save for his assistant) and we had a long talk.
It started when he asked me how I was doing. I started answering, slowly first, but then it all just came out. I just talked and didn’t stop. I told him everything I mentioned in my original post, plus more. I even offered to forward the emails I sent to my manager (thank gods that I kept a trail!). I was in tears by the end of it. Big boss listened quietly, but his expressions said a lot (mostly anger). He was really disappointed to find out all of this because, he said, he was genuinely invested in making the company more Tiny-friendly. In fact, he was the one that pushed to have my position created in the first place.
He said that wanted to know how I was going from the beginning, but his schedule had been extremely busy lately and so he had to rely on my manager to keep him informed. Apparently, my manager never gave him my report, or even any updates beyond “oh she’s doing fine”. Also some nonsense about how I was “struggling to settle in”, which I guess wasn’t wrong, but he made it sound like it was my attitude that was the problem. Big boss was actually starting to worry about my apparent lack of progress, but felt that something seemed off. So when time opened up, he decided to drop by and see for himself.
He was probably just being polite, but I really felt heard. He gave me a tissue (I had to tear a corner that I could realistically use) and his finger to hold because I was shaking so much. He stayed with me until I calmed down while his assistant stepped out to make arrangements for my immediate transfer to head office. He told me to take as many days as I needed, and that when I’m back, to let him know and he’ll be the first to greet me at the door. I felt such overwhelming relief that I hugged his finger without thinking. I know it’s probably inappropriate work conduct, but I was just so happy to be out of that place. I don’t care enough about my manager to want to know what will happen to him, so long as I never see that snake again.
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Update posted March 27 2XXX
UPDATE 2: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your kind messages. I thought I would post an update and let you know how I’m doing: long story short, I’m doing much better and I getting out of bed doesn’t feel like a struggle anymore.
I am about a month into my job at head office. It’s so much nicer and accommodating than the other office. Despite also having a lack of Tiny infrastructure, they have been really receptive to my opinions and advice.
Big boss (my direct boss now) keeps me around him and he almost always takes me with him wherever he goes. In fact, he insisted. It took some getting used to for the both of us, but especially for him since he had to get used to handling someone much smaller than him. Mostly, it was finding the right place and just the right amount of pressure with his fingers when picking me up. On my part, I try to physically loosen up so I don’t put extra strain myself - I leaned that after a close call with some falling books, when he had to quickly grab me, and I froze and tensed up. Luckily I only ended up with some slight bruising and a bit of whiplash.
We got there in the end though. We talked about carrying me in an open palm as the ideal, but also alternatives for when he has to keep his hands free. If he keeps his top shirt button undone, there’s a comfy but secure space between his shirt collar and his neck that I like to nestle myself into.
I’ve also got my own desk on top of his desk so I can talk to him at any time (it’s kind of scary though, because he’s RIGHT THERE, like a huge wall of just him behind me). I don’t mind not having my own space anymore, because I feel much more free to walk around safely and without fear of being stepped on, swept up, or accidentally thrown in a bin.
His assistant is also really nice and really knowledgeable of Tiny culture - turns out his partner is also a Tiny (not unusual but still really rare) and they’ve invited me over for dinner and drinks on a night next month. They’ve also invited our boss too, so I guess they must be closer than I realised.
Also…I think I’ve left off enough details to keep this story untraceable, so I’ll venture to add that I think I have a MASSIVE crush on my boss. He’s really handsome, but also I keep thinking back to when he got really mad at my ex-manager and the rest of my ex-office team: he didn’t yell, but he was firm, with a deep, commanding voice. I know I was really scared at the time, but in hindsight it’s really…hot?? And he always smells really nice, like bergamot and patchouli (I know that sounds creepy, but he’s literally over my head most of the day, so I can’t help but notice!)
I’ve NEVER felt this way about someone. Yesterday, he was eating an icecream and I just stared, watching, wishing that it were me pressed up against those huge pillowy lips, dabbing my hands on his facial hair, and melting on that big tongue… Is that weird? And is it weird that I want him to pin me down on the table with his fingers while he tells me off and talks down to me? Or to sit on me (not for real, because that would kill me. His butt though…he’s got such a great butt).
I’m blushing so hard typing this, gah! It feels dirty. I feel like I shouldn’t be enjoying those kinds of thoughts; they seem really degrading…
But I guess the chances of any of that happening are pretty slim. I know better than to try anything - like I said, I want to keep my personal and work lives separate. He probably wouldn’t be interested in a Tiny, let alone a perverted one. Still, it costs nothing to dream. Maybe the logistics are something I can think about in my free dreams, hehe!
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Replying to u/PuddingGremlin_9k
From u/LikeWipingAMarkerThank you THANK YOU for keeping us updated. I follow this sub both for the drama and because I have a professional interest: I’m in Employment Law. I must first caution you not to rely on my statements without first consulting your local statutes and probably a local lawyer. That said, I am very happy that you escaped that toxic situation at the regional branch office. That sounded like a nightmare! Just what you mentioned in your post constituted more than sufficient grounds for a claim of discriminatory size harassment. Now that you have management looking out for you, I would not recommend commencing an action against the company.
I do, however, want to advise you against pursuing a relationship with your new supervisor or even allowing the appearance of such a relationship to become common knowledge. Even without the difference in your sizes, the power that the owner of the company wields over the entire workplace both calls your capacity to consent into question as well as invites accusations of favoritism. That the company owner has made it known that he making Tiny-accommodation a priority as well as personally intervening in business operations on your behalf only focuses attention on you and your working relationship with the owner. Your boss has wandered into a minefield of liability.
I have colleagues at the UN Human Rights Council who may be able to give you more specific and up-to-date advice. Visit the link below to see a list of countries and their respective UN contacts from the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of tinies.
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Replying to u/PuddingGremlin_9k
From u/BrokenByWhispersSo, I know this isn’t r/relationship_advice but I figured since you brought the subject, there would be no harm in asking.
There’s this er, friend of mine who would be VERY interested in meeting a “Tiny” as you say. Well, I’m still not sure if your country’s tinies are normal-sized or not (this got confusing quickly!) but we do have Minus-virus-victims here (it’s no conspiracy!), and this “friend” has a huge crush on a lady who got the virus last year. He’s been helping her as her “designated giant” (or Big, if you will) to cope with the aftermath of her change in size, but beyond that the two have been getting to know each other with time.
He liked her even before she got small, but now it’s bordering on an obsession. He dreams about her and gets ridiculously nervous when he’s with her (I know, WTF, a Big nervous in front of a Tiny?!) and he doesn’t quite know how to make a move without scaring her? What if she doesn’t want a relationship with a Big? What if she thinks he’s a weirdo for even considering it? Also, can a Tiny even consent, truly, freely, in spite of the crazy power imbalance? Although all things considered, she does hold quite a lot of power over him, whether she knows it or not.
So, how would you suggest I… he approaches the situation, what’s the best course of action?
Thanks!
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@miss-lillipants (Sorry to not participate in the roleplay, but can I just say this is one of my favorite scenarios ever?
Good lord… 
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@blehb (no apology needed, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
There’s no pressure to interact, that was just a fun little addition to make it feel a bit more like a public reach-out. It’s already ~95% written with enough flexibility/vaguery to accommodate responses to build into the base) -
(I realise my intent to make this as a “repost” and the OOP username got a bit lost there, sorry. I will treat your comments as responses to the story)
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Relevant responses to OOP:
Replying to u/LikeWipingAMarker (@Olo, please don’t mind the dotpoint format, it’s the only way I could think of to indent the text)
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Thank you so much! Even though I have a better grasp of what is and isn’t acceptable at work, I appreciate the reassurance. I still catch myself wondering if I overreacted, or maybe that I could have handled it better. It gets easier to shake off though. Despite everything, I don’t plan on taking action against the company (but I am keeping records for myself, like the emails to my ex-manager, chat logs, and also maintaining my own journal entries).
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I absolutely agree with your advice on office relationships and I won’t be pursuing anything with my boss (even if I did, I’d have no idea how to go about it. I am absolutely hopeless on that front). I’m happy just to keep my head down, do my job, and get home in as few pieces as possible. That my boss happens to be really attractive is a bonus, heehee
Replying to u/BrokenByWhispers (@foreverlurk, as above, please don’t mind the dotpoint format!)
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I often feel that shouldn’t speak on MINUS related questions, simply because I have not experienced it. It is best to ask someone with MINUS. In saying that, after reading and learning about the experiences of MINUS survivors (many of whom will never recover, from what I understand), we really do have a lot of similarities besides the stark size difference between us Bigs. For example, having to adjust to being on the “smaller” side of society: despite Tinies in my country living with Bigs for generations, statistically, only 2% of Tinies will have any sort of regular contact with Bigs throughout our entire lives (even less for Tinies outside of cities and towns). For me, all of that started when I got my current job and moved to the city. Before that, I only had very limited contact with Bigs at university, so being surrounded by them for prolonged amounts of time took some getting used to. However, I acknowledge that feeling is probably not as intense for someone with MINUS who has ZERO previous exposure.
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Bearing that in mind, and if you are genuinely seeking my perspective regardless, I give the following additional disclaimers: I am a hopeless romantic and have only ever daydreamed of being asked out by a Big. I also draw on my experiences as a woman who has learned from her not-so-great dating record.
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I guess my first question is whether “your friend” has a professional or informal relationship with his crush (always found this to be an unfortunate term)? You mention that your friend is a “designated giant” - is this like a professional carer? Or they work together and he helps her around the office? If that’s the case, this already warrants some caution (I realise that this may be a case of the pot calling the kettle black seeing as my own crush is my boss, but I have been reading up on the ethics of workplace relationships, including my own company’s policies). HR aside, your friend’s crush may have her own thoughts on this. She may not wish to have a relationship with a co-worker or anybody outside of her social circle - and if this is the case, then I think it’s best for your friend to cut his losses.
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Your friend should be mindful that their crush may be feeling extremely vulnerable, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. She contracted the virus only last year, which in terms of recovery, really isn’t that long ago. Depending on how well she has adjusted/is adjusting to things, this is a lot for someone to go through, even with support. In the end, the questions you’ve raised are something to ask her. If your friend hasn’t talked to his crush about it yet, it might be worth having the conversation.
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Remember, your friend’s crush is an independent adult with her own thoughts and feelings. The only difference is that she is small. Like with anything else, unless there is something that affects her capacity to make an informed decision, then I think that, yes, she can give, as well as withdraw consent. Your friend seems to be aware of the clear power imbalances in their size difference poses, which is great. So it is also on your friend to be wary of her unspoken uncertainties, and if he feels that something isn’t right, then it’s best to stop.
Update posted 21 September 2XXX
UPDATE 3: There has been so much time and change since my last post that I thought I would update you. This will likely be my final update - it’s a long one though that hopefully ties everything together.
A month after my last update [April], I had dinner and drinks at my boss’s assistant’s (“Jay”, not real name) place one weekend. My boss was also invited and offered to take me home afterwards.
(For some background about this, skip ahead if you’d like: as part of my country’s long-term amalgamation efforts, the government commissioned infrastructure that allowed both Bigs and Tinies to safely access the same areas to live and/or work, without fear of sudden increases in Tiny casualties. New suburbs were also developed that integrated the new design principles, but it was harder to implement in established areas - these had to be retrofitted and specially maintained: lots of underground and overhead tunnels, bridges between buildings, road expansions for Bigs and protected pathways for Tinies, special public transport routes and rails, etc. My apartment building happens to be in an older, traditionally Tiny neighbourhood.)
Anyway, I had such a great night, but in my jolliness, I forgot that Big access to the area was undergoing maintenance, so he couldn’t pass through the streets to take me home, even if he walked. It was late and dark, it would take me another 20 minutes to walk home from the closest drop-off point. I was and still am uncomfortable walking alone at night sober, let alone tipsy. He offered that I stay at his place just for the night - he’d take the couch and I’d take his bed (a pretty funny image, but a really sweet gesture). I agreed.
The detour back to his place gave us more time to chat. We shared our thoughts about Jay’s relationship (good things, they’re such a cute couple). We were just joking around, he made a pun about me “being a handful”, then the lingering alcohol in my system loosened my lips and I said that if he wanted to see how much of a handful I could be, that he could “put me in his pants pocket next time”. I was so mortified that I literally slapped my hands over my mouth (I am burning red as I type this). It was the most tense silence I’ve ever experienced. Eventually, he broke it to reiterate the sleeping arrangements.
I slept over that night as agreed and he took me to the closest drop-off point in the morning so I could walk home. I apologised before I took off - I think he was being kind when he didn’t make a thing of what I’d said. Come Monday, it was like any other day, though I couldn’t help but feel like he was limiting his contact with me. I felt awful and so embarrassed, but I figured it was for the best considering what I had said that night. I just tried to forget it.
A couple weeks after that [May], my boss announced that I would be shifted to “Operations” (keeping terms vague) and that I would be reporting directly to the Head of Operations instead of him. It made sense since Operations are in charge of implementing company-wide policies, and that being under my boss was just a temporary thing. Apparently, following my treatment from the other office, the company worked double-time to establish a “Tinies Division”, with a team of other Tinies in identified roles. And they wanted me to help with training, introductions, etc. which would later lead me into my role as coordinator.
It was sort of a bittersweet farewell between me and my boss since I’d no longer be working with him (looks aside, I learned a lot from him and he was just an overall good person), but I was starting a new role and would be surrounded by people I didn’t have to crane my neck up 90 degrees just to look at them.
Fast-forward to the beginning of September, and I’m loving my job. It’s been so great having a team to work so closely with, bounce ideas, teach and learn from. The Head of Operations (she’s a Big and my direct manager) has been really supportive and pro-active. We’re starting to see some real changes being made around the office - they’ve just finished installing the last lift and travelator in the boardroom. We’ve recommended holding off on further Tiny hires at the regional offices until we’re tried and tested our other recommendations around Head Office. So far, it’s looking really positive!
I also decided to read up on a BUNCH of compliance, rights, guidelines, policies and procedures all related to Tinies in Big environments - for my job, but also for my own sake. I don’t want anybody to gaslight me and make me question my own experiences again, nor do I want anybody on my team to experience that either. My manager is really impressed, often asks me for advice and will often take me to meetings with her to speak on behalf of the team. As an aside, she seems to be a natural with handling Tinies, she’s so gentle - I’ve asked her to share her methods when the awareness training program gets updated.
Um, so…as for Big Boss… After I got moved on to Operations, we only saw each other occasionally around the office. His schedule got really busy so he was often out or in a meeting. He’d still say hello, ask me how I was doing, and I’d get flustered and stupid as soon as I smelled the bergamot and patchouli. Then I’d admire his back as he strode off. But after a while, his general absence helped me take my mind off of him and that awkward night. The knot in my stomach eventually faded.
I’d still see Jay often and I’d hang out with him and his partner regularly. We got close, I told them things, like my crush on Big Boss without too much detail. Then a couple of weeks ago, they held a games night at their place and invited me and Big Boss. Him being there had me a bit anxious at first, but I had so much fun when the games started, especially when Jay’s partner and I stood in as game pieces. Then of course, when Big Boss picked me up to move me during his turn, all those thoughts I’d pushed down just came flooding back. I was just an awkward stuttering ball by the end of the game.
Big Boss offered to take me home afterward and I accepted, having loosened up and beginning to feel more comfortable around him again. We’re reflecting on the night when he suddenly tells me that he often thinks about what I’d said that night. I’m screaming inside with embarrassment, but just look at him with a broken, “oh yeah?”. And then AND THEN he confessed that he started to like me soon after I started under him, but couldn’t act on it for reasons many of you had warned against, and also because he wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it. When I blurted out that innuendo, part of him was hopeful but he knew then that he had to step away until he figured things out. He says that he had, indeed, been trying to keep some distance from me afterward, but that the shift to Operations had always been planned - it was just a coincidence that it happened so soon after.
The space gave him some time to think things over, revisit his feelings, and eventually seek advice. He spoke to Jay, HR and a bunch of different people about him dating employees. He found out that it would be less of a problem if he was not the employee’s direct line manager, and that it be disclosed as soon as possible to HR. In terms of perceptions of his character, he was willing to wear it and deal with whatever came about, and at that point, he was confident that the quality of my work and improvement highlighted how capable I was and that didn’t need underhanded intervention (which I was very flattered to hear). On a personal level, because some time had passed since I’d moved teams up to when he started inquiring, he was also concerned that I’d moved on, but it was Jay and his partner (of course!) who had assured him not to be worried.
I didn’t know what to say, it was a lot to take in. I don’t remember all of what he said because at some point, I got distracted by how nice his voice sounded, and also…that he likes me??? The point was, from the company’s perspective, it wouldn’t be a problem if we started dating, but we would have to be very careful and limit our interactions. It was, of course, up to me if we actually went ahead with it.
Guys, I know I said I wouldn’t, and that I wanted to keep my work and private life separate, but I couldn’t help it. Maybe I was caught up in the moment, but I was so smitten. I agreed for him to take me dinner the next night. When he dropped me off near my place (no maintenance this time!), he kissed my hand (and a bit of my arm) before putting me down. I was giggling like a school girl all the way up to my apartment, and held that hand all night. I realise that this reads like a silly, second-rate romance you might find in an online comic, but it is what it is; it makes me giddy and I like it.
So it’s been a couple of weeks since then. We agreed to take it slow, but one thing led to another recently and… well, I didn’t think a tongue as big as my bed could feel so good between my legs, but here I am writing this, with my cheeks all red and hot just thinking about it. We’re having dinner and catching a movie tonight, and I’ll be demonstrating what I meant about being in his pants pocket
heeheeheeEnd of post. OOP has not updated.
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(If you got this far, thank you for reading my abridged size romance trashfire. A lot of it was inspired by my own personal work frustrations, so it’s a bit of a vent piece in a way.
As cheeky compensation for a lack of more intimate details, I’ll say that this couple end up staying together, and they further explore the sensational opportunities their size discrepancy affords. One of their favourite things to do is for her to be kept in his underwear, and the goal is to keep hard for as long as possible without making him cum. She also gets to experience being crushed (safely) and develops an appreciation for mouthplay and fearplay.)
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Replying to u/PuddingGremlin_9k
From u/BetweenDesireAndBreakfastI’m so happy for you both! It must be a real tightrope act to make that kind of relationship work. Forgive my curiosity, but how are mixed-size relationships viewed in your country? You and Big Boss can’t have been the first.
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Replying to u/PuddingGremlin_9k
From u/BrokenByWhispersThank you so much for your reply, very enlightening, my friend was so glad. I concur that the term “crush” could be misinterpreted in such a context.
fyi, a “designated giant” is a volunteer program set up to help MINUS victims adapt to daily life while they are tiny. This is for long terms sufferers, but also for the rare permanent version of the disease. These caretakers are specially trained to handle tinies and teach them the basics of life at their new sizes, in a safe and humanizing way.
My friend told me he didn’t care if the virus was permanent and she remained small for the rest of her life, he loved her just the same. Honestly, I pretty sure he likes her even MORE that way. With that in mind, I’m hope he’ll gather up the courage to share his feelings with her… soon.
Thanks again, and good luck with Big B.
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Replying to u/BetweenDesireAndBreakfast
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Thank you! I think it helps that he and I don’t have much contact at work, physically or structurally. My manager is my direct line and there’s been no incidents that have required Big Boss’s intervention. So we can happily go about our usual business in the office, and then see each other later.
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Curiosity forgiven! Views on mixed-size relationships are…varied. A lot of people don’t generally mind, but are still weirded out by the size discrepancies. I think it’s easier to fall into what they’re familiar with - it avoids having to think about the logistics, getting creative and accepting that some things just simply aren’t possible yet (like bearing children, still a highly controversial topic).
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People in the cities are the least concerned and often don’t mind. Most might have a quick gawk, but then move on. Jay and his partner have told me that strangers still ask them inappropriate questions, usually about their sex lives. Stuff you wouldn’t ask a non-mixed couple, so why them, you know?
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My parents tell me it was much worse when they were younger: many couples resorted to hiding the Tiny partner when out in public to avoid being harassed, or worse. Harassment and violence are not tolerated anymore though. I think having mixed spaces helps, it helps encourage contact and exposure. My parents encouraged me to take cross-cultural studies, so I don’t think they’d mind if told them about my relationship. But I still haven’t told them…
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Regional and rural towns and villages are much more traditional. Many are still exclusively Big or Tiny. Their views are very much embedded in ideas of natural vs unnatural, and perpetuated by the physical separation of Big and Tiny towns. There is very little to no intermingling between Bigs and Tinies, and in their minds, there’s no need to either.
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Put simply, if word went back to my home town about my relationship with Big Boss, I’d no doubt hear chattering about how freakish we are. Some of the worse ones might say something how about much of a big sl*t I am for monster dick, or something about how I “don’t value my life”. I’m sure Bigs have their own equivalents, but I’m not as familiar with those. There’s stuff about about relations with vermin or insects. It’s pretty degrading either way.
Replying to u/BrokenByWhispers
- What a great initiative! Sounds like he’s got good intentions, just…be mindful of what she’s feeling. Good luck to your friend!
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From u/BetweenDesireAndBreakfast
Sounds typical. In my country, mixed-size marriages are illegal, and just hooking up with the wrong size is frequently met with violence. A close friend from high school stopped talking to me after he found out I had a mixed relationship. I’m seriously thinking about emigrating as soon as I get my degree.
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@miss-lillipants
(I love this so much. I absolutely adored the mild offense she had for the term “crush”. That made me laugh out loud.The rest is so sweet and realistic, too! Not a trash fire at all!)
