would this freak you out too?

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

That makes sense to me, too... although it wouldn't make me much more comfortable

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THANK YOU!

thats all im trying to say. Im eaware of my surroundings and in this day and age with all the nuts and terrorists out there i think we have every right to be aware of strange behaviour. Did i mention he also had other complaints against him that had nothing to do with the book, of staring at people and acting strangely.

I have friends from all over the world....all different countries....but....

"sigh"....i guess now theres a new type of prejudice out there.

i guess in the "new age" your not allowed to say someone is acting strangely or making you feel uncomfortable, because OMG! thats SOOOOOOOOO
prejudice!!!

Originally Posted by carolinalima

This is sad... and good luck firing him because of this - it is called DISCRIMINATION, and against the law. He did not break the law, but by firing him your company will be the one doing so.

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I agree with that. If anything the management should talk to him and let him know that his choice of reading material is making his co-workers uncomfortable. But to fire the guy because he is wearing a trench coat and reading an unusual book, well, that's just intolerable to me. The problem with society today is the lack of tolerance towards others.

Aw, come on... let's not be so quick to judge here. There's a difference between (a) being nervous about anyone who wears a trenchcoat, and (b) being nervous about anyone who wears a trenchcoat while reading a book on how to make drugs and bombs. I don't think anyone here has suggested that the former makes any sense at all... but the latter is inevitably going to attract some notice. That's not inappropriate profiling -- it's just human nature.

No, the man should not lose his job for reading The Anarchist's Cookbook at work. But nobody with half-sense would do so without first considering the impression it's inevitably going to give -- so it's hard to view it as anything but a fairly provocative act.

The only way to know whether this man is actually dangerous is to find out why he's reading that book. The possibilities begin with mere curiosity and extend all the way to a bloodthirsty desire for the wholesale slaughter of millions. Who'd like to volunteer to befriend the guy and find out whether he's really just a pussycat?

Although I agree with SwampWitch that he's probably all bark and no bite, we should also remember that one of the 9/11 terrorists was so incredibly careless that he actually told his flight school he didn't care about learning how to take off and land -- only the part inbetween.

When you're dealing with fanatical nutjobs, you can't count on them to operate by rules of logic. They may disguise their madness, or they may not -- so keeping your distance from people who appear to be dangerous is a perfectly natural and rational response.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

I agree with that. If anything the management should talk to him and let him know that his choice of reading material is making his co-workers uncomfortable. But to fire the guy because he is wearing a trench coat and reading an unusual book, well, that's just intolerable to me. The problem with society today is the lack of tolerance towards others.

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Thats why i made my complaint, HR will decided how to handle that.

Also....Im not profiling or stereotyping or being prejudice of anyone who wears trench coats, that IS ridiculous. All i was trying to say was that it freaked me out that he was reading that book AND wearing a trench coat. those people at columbine did read that book openly in the school. Why would someone want to portray themselves as that kind of person?

Do you think the parents of the children at columbine or the students at columbine would get freaked out about it? would you call them prejudice?

i DONT think i deserve to be called Prejudice, and i really take offense to that comment. Paranoid??? YES. prejudice? NO. I might be a little more aware than some others for the simple fact that ive been involved in some scary situations where i thought i was going to die at the hands of someone else. Did it put the fear of god into me? you better believe it did!

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

...The problem with society today is the lack of tolerance towards others.

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You're absolutely right! But this is not an issue of tolerance... not yet.

This man is not being feared and suspected because of his race or religion -- he's being feared and suspected because of specific behaviors that make some people wonder whether he has some kind of terrorist agenda.

Tolerance will only apply here once we know the man is not, in fact, planning any kind of violence. Once his behavior is proven merely strange, rather than dangerous, then we will owe him tolerance. Do you see the distinction I'm drawing?

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Aw, come on... let's not be so quick to judge here. There's a difference between (a) being nervous about anyone who wears a trenchcoat, and (b) being nervous about anyone who wears a trenchcoat while reading a book on how to make drugs and bombs. I don't think anyone here has suggested that the former makes any sense at all... but the latter is inevitably going to attract some notice. That's not inappropriate profiling -- it's just human nature.

No, the man should not lose his job for reading The Anarchist's Cookbook at work. But nobody with half-sense would do so without first considering the impression it's inevitably going to give -- so it's hard to view it as anything but a fairly provocative act.

The only way to know whether this man is actually dangerous is to find out why he's reading that book. The possibilities begin with mere curiosity and extend all the way to a bloodthirsty desire for the wholesale slaughter of millions. Who'd like to volunteer to befriend the guy and find out whether he's really just a pussycat?

Although I agree with SwampWitch that he's probably all bark and no bite, we should also remember that one of the 9/11 terrorists was so incredibly careless that he actually told his flight school he didn't care about learning how to take off and land -- only the part inbetween.

When you're dealing with fanatical nutjobs, you can't count on them to operate by rules of logic. They may disguise their madness, or they may not -- so keeping your distance from people who appear to be dangerous is a perfectly natural and rational response.

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Thank you so much!!! It seems some people on this board just wanted to brutally attack me. i was ready to just call it quits. but im not going to let 1 or 2 people passing judgement on me make me leave my favorite board!

you truly understood exactly what i was saying!

Just wondering... How old is this guy?

from the sounds if it, and the clear lack of good judgment he has shown, I would guess he's about in his late teens to early 20's.

I also think that its a little unfair that we jump all over one poster for expressing her feelings when people do it everyday around here and we accept them with open arms. People around here need to learn if you don't agree with the topic of discussion you need not reply. It would save a lot of feathers from getting ruffled.

And cats4sky you made the right decission to not leave because of 1 or 2 people, they just...how was it said to me..."have to much free time and like to pick fights".

Yes, it would. Perhaps it's the fact that he's reading a book about how to make bombs in public. IMO, when you do something like that, you're begging to be judged by others. If he (or anyone else) can't deal with that, then don't read that in public.

Originally Posted by cats4sky

I work at a call center and its high turnover so there is always new training classes. Well the one guy in the training class was wearing a trench coat and reading the Anarchists cookbook right out in the open. For those of you who dont know what that is, its a book that teaches you how to make all these types of crazy home made bombs. The book is not illegal but anyone who buys it is automatically flagged by the gov't. Im sorry but with all these nut cases shooting up schools and work places i dont want to have to worry about going to work and getting blown up or worse yet have him bring in a machine gun and shooting the place up.

So, i made a complaint to my supervisor about him and how it made me really uncomfortable. He told me another girl had already made a complaint that he had been staring and staring at her non stop. He seemed pretty disturbed as well when i told him. He told me hes going to get rid of him right away.

!st off everyone knows about that book, and what person would have the nerve to bring that book to your place of employment and read it out in the open like its totally normal. That oughtta tell you right away somethings wrong upstairs.

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Hon, I agree with you completely! He would totally make me uncomfortable/scared/paranoid! I work in a call center, and like you said there is a high turnover rate and they really don't care WHO they hire (at least my company) as long as there is someone in the seat to answer the phone. I did have to go through a "test" which was a joke...basically, if you show up for the test, you're hired. They don't screen very well.

Him wearing a trench coat at work wouldn't have bothered me too much because our work is freezing and I've had to put on my coat too....but, his reading material is completely unappropriate for work. He brings a book in to read....on his first day?? Was he reading it during his breaks, or while he was actually linked up and training?

The material itself would have sent up red flags for me. I'm sorry, I'm paranoid too. Yes, he has a right to read anything he wants, but he's just blatently trying to scare people (you did say he was staring at another employee and other's have complained). I don't blame you for wanting him "gone", BUT I don't think they can do that based on reading material. He definitely needs to be talked to and made to understand that his actions are making others uncomfortable.

I agree that it is probably all just a "persona" he wants to present to everybody....the "dark, scary, mysterious" person. I don't think you are in any danger....but now a days, you just don't know.

I also would be very uncomfortable and you did the right thing, it will be HR that decides what to do. As you stated it was not just the trench coat, or the book but his behavior, put that all together and you have reason to be uncomfortable and should speak up. He may just be looking for attention and gets his kicks by making people nervous but no one should have to work in an environment that feels threatening and uncomfortable. As far as prejudice, he chose to make a statement and what makes his rights any more important than the rights of the others there. If he is an okay guy he will change his behavior when given the chance to do so.

thanks so much. im really glad some of you see where im coming from. im glad i didnt decide to close my computer and stay away over something so ridiculous, but it kinda sucked waking up this morning to see that i was called prejudice and stereotypical. Maybe i came across the wrong way. I shouldnt have let it get to me, every morning my ritual is coffee and catsite and it totally messed that up, but im better now! thanks!

Originally Posted by nekkiddoglady

a green trenchcoat is good.. my brother has a black leather trenchcoat.. so what's that mean? LOL

Maybe its not so much of owning a trenchcoat.. but it sounded like he was wearing it inside at work?

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black leather = cool

I would not be comfortable with him with the behaviors you've described. What if something did happen; then we'd all be convinced there were warning signs and that someone should have done something before hand! Isn't that what always happens after things like that? The whole hind-sight being 20/20 thing is so true. Remember everything that came out about the young man from the Virginia Tech shootings? More people could have been afraid to speak up when they saw warning signs because they were afraid of comments like those directed at the OP in this thread! As has been pointed out; it is his behaviors that have people concerned. If he were being judged merely on appearances; that would be another story.

I believe you have a right to feel as safe as possible in your workplace! I'm not sure how I would proceed with this if I were in the management/HR's shoes at your company; but I'll say that I'd be keeping an eye on him very carefully. I know in my state, they can hire and fire at will. That guy would have to prove he was discriminated against. Also, I've worked for several companies that had very specific employment policies regarding behaviors that could be seen as threatening. Being in a call center; I would hope the company is large enough to have an established written policy for such occasions. I hope your manager had to document the concerns brought to him about this new employee. I would feel bad about causing anyone to be out of work during difficult times like this; but I think I'd feel much worse if something did happen to my employees because I was afraid to voice my concerns!

How can he be fired? He didn't do anything wrong. Wearing a trench coat and a controversial book that is really old does not justify being fired. I work in a call center and honestly I don't pay attention to what people read. It's really none of my business. If someone left that book at a desk I was sitting at and there were no calls I would probably pick it up and read it again out of boredom.

If he is making people uncomfortable with his actions he should talked to by the boss.

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

You're absolutely right! But this is not an issue of tolerance... not yet.

This man is not being feared and suspected because of his race or religion -- he's being feared and suspected because of specific behaviors that make some people wonder whether he has some kind of terrorist agenda.

Tolerance will only apply here once we know the man is not, in fact, planning any kind of violence. Once his behavior is proven merely strange, rather than dangerous, then we will owe him tolerance. Do you see the distinction I'm drawing?

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Excellent post!

Originally Posted by cats4sky

i DONT think i deserve to be called Prejudice,...

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No, I don't think you do either.

Originally Posted by abbycats

How can he be fired? He didn't do anything wrong. Wearing a trench coat and a controversial book that is really old does not justify being fired. I work in a call center and honestly I don't pay attention to what people read. It's really none of my business. If someone left that book at a desk I was sitting at and there were no calls I would probably pick it up and read it again out of boredom.

If he is making people uncomfortable with his actions he should talked to by the boss.

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I agree, he can't be fired for his actions but he REALLY needs to be talked to and understand what is acceptible and what isn't in the work place. Hence why she filed a complaint with HR and she wasn't the only one apparently.

I just think some things shouldn't be read at work....a book about making bombs and/or drugs would be one of them. The BOOK may be legal to sell, but the information in the book (bombs/drugs) isn't. If he wants to read it at home, fine. But I really don't think that is work reading material. I'm sorry, but when I'm working in a building with 1000 employees basically chained to their computer, and I see someone reading a book on how to build bombs...on his first day?? Yeah, that would put up some red flags.

Originally Posted by calico2222

I just think some things shouldn't be read at work....a book about making bombs and/or drugs would be one of them. The BOOK may be legal to sell, but the information in the book (bombs/drugs) isn't. If he wants to read it at home, fine. But I really don't think that is work reading material. I'm sorry, but when I'm working in a building with 1000 employees basically chained to their computer, and I see someone reading a book on how to build bombs...on his first day?? Yeah, that would put up some red flags.

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I agree with you. That book is not something you would want to take to work. He definately doesn't show any common sense.

we used to have a lot of teenagers trying to special order that book when i worked in a bookstore and i always told them it was out of print. another one i'd also refuse to order was 'The Encyclopedia of Revenge'.