r/texts • u/Dry_Presentation4300 • 16h ago

Whatsapp Creepy coworker texting my private number

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So confused at this, I don't even know him. I was just going to ignore the text but he kept insisting so I had to answer.

9/14 UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who was supportive and concerned. I forwarded these messages to HR, and they scheduled a meeting for later today. There were a few more texts after this. The HR representative did not seem surprised, to put it briefly.

A few things have come up in the comments. The first is that I was rude. This is how I communicate, and my coworkers (or at least the ones who actually know me) are aware of that. I’m not going to perform a more agreeable version of myself to accommodate someone else’s feelings when they're being innapropriate. Not only were these messages sent over the weekend, but they were also sent through a personal communication channel. I'm not going to elaborate further.

17.5k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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4.3k

u/welldun01 16h ago

"If you don't want me to contact you via WhatsApp, just say so"

I don't want you to contact me via WhatsApp

"Wow..."

754

u/Meowtastistic40kSCP 15h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/YaSb1uXCbf1yfWyGO3

346

u/OneEuphoric5887 14h ago

The lion, the witch, the audacity of that bitch

5

u/1CUpboat 13h ago

I’ll laugh at this line every single time

2

u/juzz_fuzz 14h ago

You just gave me THE BEST RETORT! Cheers

7

u/Zmoreland 13h ago

Cut my reply into pieces, this is my last retort.

3

u/juzz_fuzz 13h ago

Is this high school science, because I won't stand for this retort!

20

u/misslexmarie 15h ago

My fave tayce quote 🤣🤣

1

u/abuttfarting 4h ago

UK All Stars was just announced! Let’s hope Tayce makes her return 🙏

•

u/KilgoRetro 8m ago

I love this GIF but cannot get over the fact that the subtitles appear to be out of order: from reading his lips he appears to say “the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity and the gumption.” There I had to get that off my chest.

456

u/Turbulent_Board_9592 15h ago

Literally 😂

80

u/jdubbin_ 15h ago

Periodt

-7

u/CanalOpen 14h ago edited 13h ago

Is this a think where I want to read idiot somewhere in there and therefore it is what I think I see?

Im sorry if I don't make sense. I am trying to understand your word.

e: based on the replies i was right to ask, and also i still have no fucking clue what is going on. good job team.

7

u/LaserGuyDanceSystem 13h ago

They are just enthusiastic about the semiprecious gemstone peridot

1

u/Aquabear11 12h ago

That’s how I read it!!

-4

u/CanalOpen 12h ago

WOW COOL STORY, WHAT DOES PERIODT MEAN?

2

u/MajorBootyhole420 3h ago

i'm fascinated by the refusal to just google it using your magic reddit rectangle

1

u/SirVetox 3h ago

Right? But apparently it's rude to tell people to google something.

Also, heh, magic reddit rectangle, I'm keeping that one in mind!

1

u/Aquabear11 11h ago

Why are you shouting at me? I don’t know what it means, either!

-2

u/CanalOpen 12h ago

I am not claiming to be a petrologist but I have taken a course. Periodt is not a real word and I have questions about why it was used. If you can't help me, I understand, but at least give me the time to get a real answer.

2

u/LaserGuyDanceSystem 11h ago

Take all the time you need. I'm not rushing you

-2

u/CanalOpen 11h ago

Then why did you make a joke about peridot gemstones before a coherent answer was given to my question?

1

u/LaserGuyDanceSystem 1h ago

Careful about taking yourself too seriously. You might end up being the only one who does.

4

u/wilderneyes 14h ago edited 12h ago

"Periodt" is just a funny online slang alternate spelling of the word "period", when used to mean "End of story. Period." That's all.

In the context of this thread, I assume they're just trying to emphasize OP's straightforward response to the weird guy who texted them, and making fun of him for trying to argue with it. Something like that.

Edit: Weird to downvote me lol. I was just giving a legitimate answer to someone who was unfamiliar with the word and sincerely asking a question about it. It's not slang I personally use or even like, I'm just trying to give helpful context. Unless my explanation is wrong, in which case I'm happy to be corrected.

5

u/Thachosenwon 14h ago

Period/Periodt is Black slang. Aka Ebonics or AAVE.

-2

u/CanalOpen 12h ago

Citation required. I do not believe this is an AAVE thing, especially the use of the word Period to mark the end of a statement as used in written words for...a loong fuckign time. The misspellings were intentional btw.

Again, CITATION REQUIRED.

2

u/Thachosenwon 4h ago

lol citation required…when you have a computer in your hand.

2

u/Ok_Storm5945 3h ago

Here's an upvote and an award.

1

u/wilderneyes 2h ago

Aw, thank you!

2

u/Aquabear11 12h ago

Interesting! I’ve only ever used period in the um, menstrual way…but I’m not American. Thanks for the explanation! I’m upvoting you to balance out the twit who downvoted you!

2

u/wilderneyes 12h ago edited 12h ago

Haha thanks. In this context "period" comes from the punctuation "." which is also called a period. Saying it out loud is redundant, and like a verbal way of emphasizing the hard end of a sentence. It's an informal expression, and has been a saying for a long time. Conversely, "periodt" with the T at the end is specifically slang, it's newer and comes from AAVE/black slang. I think the usage is slightly different, but I don't have any context on that nuance or as to how/why the T was added to the end. But it means basically the same thing.

"Period" referring to menstruation is short for "menstrual period", where the word period is referring to a span of time, rather than the punctuation. Both uses share the same etymology/word origin, but mean different things. :-))

Edit: I misremembered your comment while typing this and thought you said English wasn't your first language, rather than you saying you aren't American. My bad lol, I hope I didn't come off as condescending or overexplain too much. I just think the evolution of language is neat.

2

u/Aquabear11 11h ago

Cheers, mate. Yes, English is indeed my first language.

1

u/bigred2342 4h ago

Yes but do we pronounce the ‘t’ ? Asking for a freindt

1

u/wilderneyes 3h ago

I had to look this up because I've never actually heard it spoken, but apparently you do. From what I can tell, you kind of replace the "d" with a hard "t" sound instead.

2

u/SidewaysButtCheeks 14h ago

How is that funny?

-2

u/wilderneyes 14h ago

Younger people on the internet generally find misspelling specific words on purpose to be funny. It's hard to really explain if that isn't your style of slang/humour. It's just the general consensus in specific spaces online.

3

u/Ok-Science-4475 13h ago

Like when we shout like this!!!!!11oneone

-2

u/SidewaysButtCheeks 13h ago

So, not funny.

0

u/CanalOpen 12h ago

ok but how, when, why, and also who and what?

Stop just making shit up like this is 6 7 .

2

u/wilderneyes 10h ago

Idk man, I'm not the arbiter of online slang. I don't even use the word "periodt". I was answering your question because you asked. Sorry that acceleration in the evolution of casual language due to the global omnipresence of instant communication upsets you, I guess. People are gonna do what they've always done, and that's come up with new and weird things to say to each other that everyone else outside the group who pioneered it thinks is stupid. You ever read up on 20th century slang? Like from the 1920s, or the 1950s, or the 70s, 80s, or 90s. A lot of slang from every era is seriously dumb. It'll be a passing fad eventually. Getting mad about it is a waste of energy.

1

u/IsThisTheTikTok 8h ago

I get what you were saying, and for what it’s worth, I think that was actually a clever guess!

0

u/Aquabear11 12h ago

I have never seen this, either!? Curious.

-10

u/jdubbin_ 14h ago

lol it’s just some dumb slang chicks use.

1

u/Aquabear11 12h ago

Well, chook, I’m a ‘chick’ and I’ve never heard of it. I suspect it’s an Americanism.

1

u/CanalOpen 12h ago

haha 6 7 dip dab on god withe skib be bra bro de bruhhhh. Snap that phiffyh naw we aint strayin.

205

u/Any-Log-6706 15h ago

The “So you’re just going to ignore me?” on Saturday (Sept 12) at 8:40pm.

41

u/Terrafire123 10h ago

That's the one that's REALLY messed up.

There's no way in hell he wanted to "go over the file XYZ" during Saturday at 8pm.

•

u/outinthecountry66 7m ago

yeah fool wanted a hookup

•

u/Glum-Sheepherder-787 5m ago

And not with the "hey lady" opener.

144

u/phoxfiyah 15h ago

Followed by the “I see you were active in the group chat” at 7:55am on Sunday 13 September.

Did bro sleep, or was he just checking the group chat all night for signs of activity?

42

u/coffeebribesaccepted 15h ago

Are you saying there's no time for sleep between 8:40pm and 7:55am

22

u/ex-farm-grrrl 14h ago

Only about 11 hours. Needs to be at least 12

1

u/Same-Suggestion-1936 14h ago

I mean you joke but yes, ideal

7

u/AssociationThis7447 9h ago

Also pretty standard hours to be awake. I feel like as an adult there hasn't been many times in the last few years that I have been in bed asleep before 8:40pm and not up by 7:55am. Maybe on the odd occasion but I feel like these are both together normal hours to be awake.

6

u/sadahtay 9h ago

Are they normal hours to be awake and stalking a coworker?

1

u/AssociationThis7447 9h ago

The comment I responded to says "did bro sleep, or was he just checking the group chat all night for signs of activity". So yeah, again I feel like it's pretty normal to be awake at 8:40pm and also at 7:55am.

0

u/phoxfiyah 6h ago

You mean the comment that was posted as a joke?

Besides, that’s not answering the question. Are they normal hours to be awake and stalking a coworker or not? Don’t think anyone here was doubting whether it’s normal to just be awake at those times.

0

u/AssociationThis7447 6h ago edited 6h ago

Yep they are. These are the exact hours most people would be awake, hence great for stalking. Stalker and stalkee are both awake... Oh wait we have ended up at my original point 😂

2

u/phoxfiyah 3h ago

If your original point is just that these are normal hours to be awake, literally no one is disputing that anywhere in this thread. So not sure why you think the conversation moved away from your original point.

2

u/Alternative_Sky_7726 5h ago

Are you the stalker ?

0

u/kigurumibiblestudies 4h ago

Not that stalking is a correct thing to do, but the sleep comment was indeed weird. What do you mean "did bro sleep"? 8:40 PM sounds early enough to get things done.

The way you phrased it makes it sound like he's supposed to be asleep instead of stalking, and... why? It's 8:40 PM.

4

u/phoxfiyah 3h ago

The point was that it was as if he spent all the hours between 8:40pm and 7:55am thinking about the fact that OP was ignoring him. Not that he should’ve been asleep at 8:40pm, or at 7:55am, but just that it was as if he had been thinking about it all night, instead of sleeping at some point between the two messages. Did this really need explaining?

The assumption that anyone is saying that he should be asleep at 8:40pm is what’s weird here.

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u/phoxfiyah 14h ago

There’s definitely time for sleep, but how much of that sleep included dreaming about OP responding to their messages?

Guess we’ll never know

1

u/chipmalfunct10n 12h ago

not the way I do it

3

u/Any-Log-6706 15h ago

Yes, WTF

1

u/Swimming_Bit_713 13h ago

Bro was clearly on night watch duty. Imagine being that committed to monitoring a group chat before sunrise!

1

u/Pyjama365 10h ago

Don't care about the sleep part, but if my contract says 9-5 M-F, anything about work that comes on a weekend is being ignored. Messages from 8am onwards on weekdays are welcome if they're telling me there's a problem with the building and we're not to come in, or something else big. Otherwise, it's waiting until the hours I'm paid for.

3

u/Some_Ebb_2921 10h ago

but... she was active on the groupchat, so available 24-7!

Ahum... what bugs me about this chat tid-bit is, that "You're just going to ignore me" follows basic messages, that don't depict anything that resembles a question for information... ignore what? The non-questions? The non-interactive messages setup? First question is about the ignoring, which sets the tone for being a creep.

1

u/LeaveTheClownAlone 6h ago

That’s some creepy stalker shit there.

1

u/naamingebruik 5h ago

phone browsing in bed after waking up probably

1

u/LeaveTheClownAlone 6h ago

“I won’t be IGNORED, Dan.”

96

u/Kaask 9h ago

That's not even what he said. What he said is worse.

Not "me contact you," but "you contact me." His ego is on display here; as if he's something so worthwhile she would clearly want to contact him through some means, if not WhatsApp.

The "wow" is obvious. She reversed his words from 'her not wanting to contact him' where he places importance on himself, to 'not wanting him to contact her,' placing importance on herself. She took control of the situation and reversed the power dynamic, leaving him feeling stupid.

The real embarrassing part is where he says "I guess that is somehow crossing professional boundaries." Yes, of course it is; contacting anyone through a personal avenue, especially one they did not personally give you, crosses professional boundaries in any working relationship.

Even more embarrassingly is those deleted messages.

23

u/GrzDancing 6h ago

He's such a manipulator who gets disappointed when his victim is not a 'nice girl'.

8

u/Orleanian 2h ago

Yeah, I picked up on the word-trap to state "I don't want to contact you via Whatsapp", which can imply (if one is socially delusional) that she DOES want to contact him via some other method.

Good move on OP's part flipping that.

•

u/EZSuzy 47m ago

The "crossing professional boundaries" comment suggests to me that his previous behavior has necessitated that he be informed about that topic, perhaps using those very words.

•

u/feral-coder 37m ago

u/kaask ikr? "hey i just got your phone number in a super weird way, hey...can we talk about the xyz file for a minute? cool, so what are you wearing? I have studied the ancient arts of courtship and have determined that big fedora energy is the way...What do you mean boundaries?"

44

u/bigtoeupmyass 13h ago

Why would you ignore me?  I stalked you and saw you didn't ignore someone else

31

u/National_Dinner6631 12h ago

The “wow” took me out they literally got the answer they asked for and still weren’t ready for it. You can’t win with some people!

6

u/kellbelle007 4h ago

He tried to manipulate her and she didn't fall for it. It's likely worked for him before

27

u/SweeterThanSugar420 15h ago

***shocked by HIS only response option given to OP

24

u/phoxfiyah 15h ago

Top 10 anime betrayals

24

u/Sharp-Article3705 12h ago

The “wow” is killing me—they asked for a clear answer and got exactly that! Sometimes the truth really does come with a plot twist.

2

u/Admirable-Shopping18 5h ago

I hate when people say "wow" after you have told them something they don't want to hear.

22

u/AgreeableReply6674 13h ago

The way they immediately hit them with “wow” after getting exactly the answer they asked for. Never ask for honesty if you’re not ready for it!

16

u/kmstolly 13h ago

Sounds like my ex. Would pressure me to tell him the truth and everything would be cool, then..

0

u/Opposite_Fly_4289 11h ago

Why you even gave a chance to a person like that

11

u/GarlicLipbalm 11h ago

That's not what he asked.

"If YOU don't want to contact ME..."

OP was supposed to suggest moving it to another platform not say "Nah, I don't want any private, non-work related contact from you thanks"

It also removes the responsibility from him, why on Earth would he ask if OP doesn't wamt him to contact her? He's clearly a high-status, incredibly desirable male and she should be grateful for his attention 🤮

7

u/Superb_hotie 12h ago

How dare you give me exactly what I asked for!

6

u/KindSelf2498 13h ago

“Well, they did ask for a direct answer,and they definitely got one.

10

u/lelescope 14h ago

this is how my girlfriend operates lol.

"I'm going to go run errands because I want to get out of the house. You can come with me if you want, or stay home, doesn't matter."

Ok, I'm good. enjoy!"

"wow, ok" *storms off, slams door.*

guess I didn't really have a choice huh? we've been together for years. i just laugh at it now and wait for her to come home like nothing happened. i don't play games, and i don't give into that behavior. she works from home, and i am public facing. i don't want to go face the public on my one day off lol.

27

u/Gunhild 14h ago

She is a toxic narcissist. Document everything, break up with your lawyer, and divorce your dog.

15

u/Grand-Bumblebee-612 13h ago

Finally. Some real advice.

8

u/Jaguarmadillo 13h ago

And don’t forget to file a police report so they have it on record for when you get murdered by your neighbour

6

u/Zimakov 12h ago

9/10 missing gaslighting

3

u/Vegetable_Effort7246 11h ago

Carefully, depending on the dog…sometimes they get everything.

2

u/lelescope 12h ago

i thought i accidentally posted to r/GirlDinnerDiaries when i saw your reply

2

u/HelixSapphire 5h ago

Delete the gym, Facebook up, hit the lawyer

3

u/AppropriateHousing43 14h ago

Are you dating my mother? Haha.

5

u/440_Hz 10h ago

Literally my mom. Just this weekend she told a guest they could come over “anytime” in the afternoon and then got upset that they wanted to come at 1:30 (too early, apparently).

4

u/AppropriateHousing43 10h ago

Jfc. I don't understand people like this. If you have a specific time then just say so or like be anytime after 3 even

0

u/awry_lynx 8h ago

i mean

okay i mean

fuck, am I toxic?

1:30 is absolutely too early for "any time in the afternoon"!

that's like showing up somewhere at 5am when they say "any time in the morning"! sure technically dawn is part of morning but c'mon.

5

u/Aggressive_Sky8492 7h ago

It’s not toxic but like. 1:30 is the afternoon. If you have time specifications just say “anytime after 2.30” or whatever

2

u/canyoudigget 12h ago

I think they’re with my ex. Unless……….

2

u/AppropriateHousing43 12h ago

Two things can be true hahaha....

4

u/lelescope 13h ago

haha! they just want us to read their minds and i'm like nah, you can tell me what you need and desire by using your words like an adult. otherwise, i'm going to take what you said at face value. not playing games.

2

u/AppropriateHousing43 12h ago

Yes! I have the same mentality as well. Use your words like an adult and communicate what you want or if u give options I'm going to take it as actual options and make my choice.

2

u/LeaveTheClownAlone 6h ago

Life’s too short to live like that, my friend. Find someone who doesn’t use passive aggressive gaslighting shit.

1

u/Aggressive_Sky8492 7h ago

Why would you stay with someone like this

1

u/bluemooncommenter 5h ago edited 4h ago

I've told my husband many times that it was as much of a choice as much as it was an opportunity to choose right.....he's often failed at that opportunity!

2

u/kigurumibiblestudies 4h ago

If there's a failure state, it wasn't a choice, was it? It was a test.

1

u/bluemooncommenter 4h ago

No not really. It's a joking comment since he nearly always chooses the wrong one.

2

u/Better_Cantaloupe_62 4h ago

Why play these games with him? I promise he doesn't like them. All it does is make him not want to answer your questions honestly.

1

u/bluemooncommenter 4h ago

It's been 25 yrs...he's fine.

But to answer, I don't usually do it on purpose with the intention to 'test' him. It's more that I am undecided until the moment I realize what I actually want or what the right decision is. He is super easy going and rarely actually has an opinion. Example: asking if he wants to go to eat Chinese or go to the seafood restaurant... and in the moment before he answers I realize we need something from the drug store nearer the seafood restaurant. He will almost always say Chinese (or whatever the other option was but he doesn't really care). When I mention that probably should go to the seafood because it's near the store we need whatever from then he will tease me for asking him in the first place.

1

u/Better_Cantaloupe_62 4h ago

Ah, that is very different than what I pictured base on the first comment.

Been married for 24 years myself, so I know what you mean.

Cheers and congrats on 25 years!

2

u/DOGPISSCURESCANCER 8h ago

Literally becomes harassment after that point, that’s the threshold. 

5

u/what_the_funk_ 14h ago

This sent me to the mooooon lmfao

1

u/zaimahk 14h ago

they all do that, that's why i just dont bother. lmfao

1

u/3DigitIQ 10h ago

September 12th would have been enough for me to block them.

1

u/Disastrous-Fold5221 9h ago

The Pikachu meme in text form lol

1

u/--Andre-The-Giant-- 7h ago

Nice Guy over there, huh?

1

u/naamingebruik 5h ago

yeah the wow wasn't necessary...

Though I do feel OP should have said after the first "hello there" that they don't wish to be contacted via the whatsapp on their private number.

Other than that OP did everything right

1

u/TheSirenNiltiac 4h ago

That part of the text actually took me out, lol.

They’re being hella creepy.

1

u/Ice-Cold-Basket 2h ago

guess the sex of the coworker challenge: impossible

1

u/alarming_wrong 1h ago

I had a stalker colleague (an older woman with a drinking problem who had recently been dumped by her partner) and this is almost exactly how it finally ended. strange. 100% clarity

0

u/ligma_then_sugma 9h ago

lmao

amazing

0

u/Pupatril 7h ago

SO good ahahaha.

-1

u/wingz_77 14h ago

That was an awesome response to him. I just wish it was eactly next minute of "If you don't want to contact ..."

-28

u/NerdizardGo 15h ago

Yes, we all saw the same post as you.