How does one respond to this?

[Egapal]

Recently I was accused of worshiping Satan because I have pet snakes. The woman who accused me was overheard talking to another nurse. My first responce was to laugh hysterically until her slander filtered over to my personal life. My Dad happened to be a patient on one of the units in our facility and this nurse asked my Dad what was up with all my snakes. My Dad, being the devowed Christian he is, told her that I have always danced to my own drummer but... he also told her that I am a good nurse, a good mother, and a good person. Yay Dad! lol

Anyway, later she was overheard again talking about me and complaining about my pets. I make no secret about Frank and Baloo. I love them and am proud to have them but really.... How the heck do you shut someone like this down. I don't care what she thinks of me but to envolve my Dad and put him on the defensive was just uncalled for.

How would you respond to someone like this?

It's really simple. Hand her a bible and ask her to find you the reference in the bible that says snakes have anything to do with the Devil. For that matter you could ask her to establish that there is in fact a devil but lets take some baby steps with her. If she comes back with "Because you have done this ... on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life," (Gen 3:14) Kindly inform her that your snakes do not eat dust. They in fact eat rodents. This bible verse sounds like its describing a common worm more than a snake. If she insists that that was a snake then throw this one at her. Mark 16:17-18, in which the risen Jesus tells his disciples, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." If she believes why hasn't she taken up serpents?

[dart]

I can't believe out of all the advice given here no one has said: "Who cares?" What does it matter what she thinks or says? If it's not affecting your work performance it doesn't really matter.

Everyone has people they know that talk smack behind their backs, just let it roll off your shoulder and ignore her. She'll let it go within a week or two once she finds something else that she feels is worth gossiping about.

[Royal Hijinx]

I am also a RN, and have found that the simplest way to handle a case like this is like so:

1. You need to tell her directly, with a witness that what she is saying about you is unacceptable and makes you uncomfortable. I would not get in to an argument either way.
2. If she does not stop, go to the supervisor.

You likely will not change her mind on the matter, as she will not change yours. But, she is a professional who needs to act as such. You need to remain above board, and not stoop to her level.

Every time RNs get in these catty pissing matches, it makes the whole group look bad.

[Royal Hijinx]

I can't believe out of all the advice given here no one has said: "Who cares?" What does it matter what she thinks or says? If it's not affecting your work performance it doesn't really matter.

Everyone has people they know that talk smack behind their backs, just let it roll off your shoulder and ignore her. She'll let it go within a week or two once she finds something else that she feels is worth gossiping about.

I kind of agree with this, but it still makes the work place uncomfortable and should be nipped in the bud.

[Bellabob]

Ahahahahaha I've had this happen before many times. I would just go with it, just screw with her a little, it would be fun.

[Valentine Pirate]

The supervisor thing is a good call. I think it would make a big difference to let them know she had said these things to your father as a patient, it gives you some basis that she's saying these things to patients about you. It shouldn't make a difference if you have snakes as pets or a designer lap dog with a nasty temperament. For that matter your religion shouldn't matter even if you did worship satan As long as you do your job well why is it any of her friggin business? What an irritating headache of a situation

[Anatopism]

I would talk to your supervisor and let him/her know about the situation. I would say that the woman is slandering your name by calling you a devil worshiper. I would say she is making you feel uncomfortable in the workplace and want something done about it. Or you could leave the slander part out and just say she is running her mouth and making you feel uncomfortable. Either way because it is a working enviroment your supervisor will have to take some kind of action. Unfortunately keeping snakes, or any "non normal" pets, will always end up with someone somewhere running their mouth.

Second this. Speak with your supervisor calmly and explain she is making you uncomfortable. You don't go around badmouthing her lifestyle or choice of car, and while she has every right to judge you for being different, she does not have the right to harrass you (directly, or indirectly through patients/employees) in the workplace especially. Follow the correct channels through work, don't act out irrationally or give any reason to add fuel to her fire.

[RichL]

Play the hellbent, devil-worshipping nurse. It'll at least make her stop asking so many questions...If you're lucky, she might even stay away from you!

x200 This !!

HaHa... works every time to those 'holier than thou' types.

I'm not religious, and definitely do not want to get a conversation/debate going here about it, but I'm pretty open. Let me believe what I want to believe and I will let you believe what you want to believe. We can still be friends in the process.

The moment you start 'pressing', is the moment I will make you out to 'NOT' be a liar..haha.. It usually shuts them up, and they are afraid to stand by you in fear of lightning falling from the heavens..lol

[cecilbturtle]

i personally would refrain from getting into a theological debate with her but you could show her this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvFCI2bsajM

[Skittles1101]

Also, didn't God turn Moses' staff into a snake for the Egyptians?? I doubt God would have anything to do with snakes if they represented the devil no?

I get crap all the time at work too,I work in public safety with a bunch of cops and they are constantly rashing on me. I just play the part of the crazy snake lady, and I talk about their cute little faces

I am a christian and I keep snakes. Big deal