Just when Ashley thought her office life couldn’t get more chaotic, along comes Karen, turning every rule of workplace decorum on its head. With Karen’s disruptive behavior peaking, Ashley plans a birthday surprise that could mend fences or alter office dynamics forever.
A woman sitting around table holding a tablet | Source: Unsplash
Hi everyone, I’m Ashley. I have a story about office life quirks that might sound familiar to many of you. So, buckle up, and don’t hesitate to chime in if you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation.
Three office workers chatting and laughing | Source: Unsplash
I work at an advertising firm—a place where no two days are the same. Some days crawl by, while others whiz past so fast you barely have time to catch your breath.
A group of cheerful multi-ethnic colleagues having a party after work | Source: Pexels
Last-minute surprises? A regular feature. But despite the chaos, I genuinely enjoy what I do. I’m surrounded by awesome colleagues, and the workplace vibe is top-notch. Well, it was top-notch, until Karen came along.
A woman in a red sweater leaning on a table while working | Source: Pexels
Now, I’m all for welcoming new faces. Newcomers stir things up, bring fresh ideas and skills, and generally pump new life into the team. But Karen… well, she’s a different story. It’s not that her work is bad, per se—it’s just that there’s a lot left to be desired, particularly in the ‘attitude’ department.
Dirty glasses and plates by the sink | Source: Pexels
So, Karen was quite the character. She had this habit that drove all of us up the wall. Every day after lunch, while the rest of us made sure to clean up our dishes and keep the kitchen tidy, Karen would just leave hers in the sink. Not a care in the world, just her dirty plates piling up.
A female office worker relaxing with her feet on the table | Source: Pexels
And if that weren’t enough to test our patience, her favorite pastime during work hours was napping. But not just any napping. Picture this: Karen, sprawled out in her office chair, legs thrown up on the table, shoes marking the surface with all kinds of dirt. It was a sight.
The snoring was the worst part! It was like having a freight train running through the room. Every. Single. Day.
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But it gets worse. Once a week, we would head to the pool for a relaxing break from the daily grind. Except Karen decided it was the perfect place to… file her feet. Right there in the shower area while we were all around. Gross, right? Super disgusting.
A woman filing her feet | Source: freepik
Then, there was the lunch incident. Imagine sitting at a restaurant, trying to enjoy your meal, and there’s Karen, at the same table, flossing her teeth. Not discreetly, but openly.
Two women having lunch outdoors | Source: Pexels
One time, a piece of whatever she had for breakfast shot out and landed smack on my friend’s and my face. We were mortified. That was it. The absolute last straw.
A woman holding a dental floss | Source: freepik
My friend, I, and nearly all our colleagues were fed up. So, we came up with a plan. Karen’s birthday was coming up, and we figured it was the perfect opportunity to clue her in on her less-than-charming habits. It was high time for a lesson, and we were just the folks to deliver it.
A group of people talking and looking at a laptop | Source: Pexels
So Karen’s birthday rolls around, and we decide to go all out. The whole department comes together, balloons floating everywhere, a big cake sitting proudly on the table, and of course, a special present just for her.
She walks in, sees the setup, and her face lights up. “Oh, guys, you shouldn’t have…” she exclaims, genuinely surprised.
Happy young women holding stacked presents | Source: Pexels
As she begins to unwrap her gift, we all gather around, watching eagerly. The moment she pulls off the last piece of wrapping paper, her expression changes dramatically.
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There, in her hands, is a huge poster framed beautifully but the content? Not so beautiful for her. It’s a list of etiquette and hygiene rules we all felt she desperately needed to follow.
A woman unwrapping her birthday gift | Source: Pexels
Her face turned a deep shade of purple as she read the list aloud: ‘Wash your dirty dishes, no sleeping in the office, stop the loud snoring, and please, for the love of God, stop filing your feet in the pool shower area and flossing your teeth at meals.’
The room fell silent for a moment, everyone holding their breath. But we didn’t stop there.
A fondant cake on a stand | Source: Unsplash
We made sure these new ‘rules to live by’ were impossible to miss. Each rule was also plastered on the cake and written on each balloon floating around the room. We wanted to make sure our sweet Karen wouldn’t forget them anytime soon.
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The mix of shock and realization on Karen’s face said it all. This birthday, she got a gift that would keep on giving—hopefully, a nudge towards better office etiquette.
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Now, before you jump to conclusions about why we took such a drastic measure when we could have just had a simple chat with Karen—trust me, we tried.
Work colleagues having a conversation | Source: Pexels
And not just a casual mention; we really sat down with her and laid it all out, super politely. We told her how her habits were affecting the office atmosphere.
A woman sitting alone next to a birthday cake and presents | Source: Pexels
She nodded, promised to be more considerate, and everything seemed like it was going to be okay. But, alas, nothing changed. It was as if our conversation never happened. So yeah, we went with the drastic step.
Why her birthday, you ask? Well, it’s not a day one easily forgets, right? And we figured it would make the message stick.
Photographs lying beside a birthday cake | Source: Pexels
Plus, we made sure to document the whole thing. Pictures, videos—the works. These weren’t just for laughs; they served as a kind of proof, something to remind Karen of her promise in case she slipped back into old habits.
After unveiling the gift, there was a tense moment. Karen was visibly upset, a mix of anger and embarrassment coloring her features.
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She wasn’t expecting to be ambushed with a ‘hygiene intervention’ in front of everyone on her special day. Honestly, it took her a moment, but once the initial shock wore off, she agreed—again—to follow the rules we’d laid out.
This time, though, there was a serious undertone to her agreement. Maybe the public nature of the intervention made the difference.
Office workers doing a high five | Source: Pexels
What about you? Have you ever dealt with a ‘Karen’ at your workplace? How would you have handled the situation? Would you have done the intervention differently, maybe more privately, or not at all? Drop your thoughts and let’s chat about the wild world of office dynamics. I’m all ears!
A woman enjoying a drink while working on her laptop | Source: Pexels
Take a look at another interesting story below:
I Served a Woman Who Mocked Me throughout High School & Finally Got My Revenge after 20 Years
Under the soft glow of the evening lights, the restaurant buzzed with the cheerful din of a successful night. Yet, as I moved between the tables, careful not to bump into any sharp table corners, a familiar and unwelcome face caught my eye—Karen.
An interior of a restaurant | Source: Pexels
She hadn’t changed at all. Even after 20 years, the same haughty expression adorned her face, a look that had tormented me throughout my school years with her cruel taunts about my lisping and stuttering.
Suddenly, I was taken back to high school where my lisp was at its worst, making me second guess speaking.
An angry woman with folded arms | Source: Pexels
School speeches were the worst part of my entire schooling life, where girls like Karen would begin laughing from behind their hands and end up hanging off their chairs, tears streaming down their faces.
I would escape to the library and spend every free moment there, just to escape the taunts.
Teenagers taking a selfie | Source: Pexels
I remember the one incident where I was clutching my books tightly to my chest, trying to make myself smaller, trying to blend into the gray of the lockers as Karen navigated the sea of students, in her impossibly high heels.
I could feel Karen’s gaze like a spotlight, singling me out from the crowd.
A row of gray lockers | Source: Pexels
“There’s Lisp-Lily, boys!” Karen’s voice boomed, drawing a circle of laughter around me.
“Give us a smile and a speech, Lily,” she said. “Show us that stellar s-s-stutter,” she mocked, her words stretching out with malicious exaggeration.
A girl sitting on a chair | Source: Pexels
I remember wanting to cry myself to sleep that night. I sat in the kitchen with my brother, Alex, and I told him all about the events of the day and how Karen had lost it.
“You should give it back to her, Lily,” my brother said, spooning ice cream into a bowl for me.
Two bowls of ice cream | Source: Pexels
“If I could, I would,” I said. “But the moment I open my mouth, you know what happens.”
My brother went off on a tangent about how I should never allow anyone to make me feel less than myself.
“You’ve got to stand up for yourself,” he said.
A smiling young man | Source: Pexels
And I did. In my own way.
Click here to find out what happened next.
BRAD PITT’S NEW LOVE LOOKS JUST LIKE ANGELINA JOLIE – SEE THE STUNNING SIMILARITIES
Brad Pitt’s new relationship with Ines de Ramon has caught public attention because she looks similar to his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. People online have noticed the similarities between the two women.
Even though Ines and Angelina are different people, many discussions compare them. Brad Pitt is currently dating Ines de Ramon. He was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005 and to Angelina Jolie from 2014 to 2019. Before dating Ines, Brad was linked to Emily Ratajkowski after her split from Sebastian Bear-McClard.
Brad Pitt’s relationship with Ines de Ramon is causing a buzz online because people are comparing her to his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. The couple has been seen together in public a few times, sparking interest and discussion about their similarities.
The pair were photographed backstage at a Bono concert at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre in November 2022. Ines de Ramon, who is a jewelry designer, was dressed casually, just like Pitt, as they attended the event.
In December 2022, Brad Pitt took Ines de Ramon to the Los Angeles premiere of his film *Babylon*. At the event, they were seen mingling with guests and sharing affectionate moments, marking their first public appearance together after dating for a few months.
The couple has also been spotted on vacation together. In January 2023, they were seen enjoying a trip to Cabo. Pitt was photographed shirtless by the pool, while de Ramon was sunbathing without her bikini top.
In November 2023, Pitt and de Ramon went to the LACMA’s 12th annual Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles. A source at the event said they were “super loving” and seemed to be having a great time together.
Their good times continued into December 2023, when Pitt turned 60. The couple celebrated with a romantic trip to Paris, staying at the luxurious Bulgari Hotel.
While in Paris, Pitt and de Ramon enjoyed a private dinner prepared by a chef and went to an Asaf Avidan concert at Théatre du Chatelet. They came back to Los Angeles just in time to celebrate de Ramon’s 32nd birthday.
Online users commented on the photos of Pitt and de Ramon’s Paris trip, noting that de Ramon resembled Jolie. One user asked, “Why do all the women he dates look very similar to Angelina?”
Some people agreed that de Ramon looks a bit like Jolie. One user mentioned, “The ‘type’ is familiar,” and another joked, “Angelina Jolie look alike… better have a prenup.” They noticed that both de Ramon and Jolie are brunettes.
However, not everyone agreed. Some people said de Ramon doesn’t look like Jolie. One person commented, “She is no Angie!” while another added, “She doesn’t look like Angelina!” Some users even compared Jolie to Jennifer Aniston, but one person strongly disagreed, saying, “Don’t ever put Jen and Angie in the same sentence. Ever.”
Angelina Jolie, who is an actress and director, met her ex-husband Brad Pitt when she was 28 years old on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” in 2003. Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon started dating around 2022 when she was about 30 years old. Before her relationship with Pitt, de Ramon had separated from her ex-husband, Paul Wesley, who starred in “The Vampire Diaries,” earlier in 2022.
Paul Wesley, who was featured in People’s 2020 Sexiest Man Alive edition, had previously enjoyed relaxing at home with de Ramon and their dog Greg during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brad Pitt, who was named Sexiest Man Alive by People twice, in 1995 and 2000, has since moved on to his relationship with Ines de Ramon.
In 2022, a representative confirmed that Paul Wesley and Ines de Ramon had been living apart for several months before they decided to separate. They were married for over three years.
Before Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie was married to actor Billy Bob Thornton. Thornton reminisced about his time with Jolie, saying, “That was a great time. Angie is still a friend of mine and she’s a great person and she’s done so much.” He praised Jolie for her commitment to making meaningful movies, regardless of their success or failure. Thornton also noted that while they had different lifestyles, he will always respect her for staying true to herself.
Angelina Jolie is a well-known actress who won an Academy Award for her role in “Girl, Interrupted” in 1999. She has also starred in movies like “Maleficent,” “Salt,” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” which featured her alongside Brad Pitt.
Jolie is deeply involved in international charity work, especially with refugee causes. She has a very public Instagram account with over 15 million followers, where she shares her work as a filmmaker, humanitarian, and mother of six children with Pitt.
In contrast, Ines de Ramon has a private Instagram account with 91,000 followers and follows only a few people. Her account is not as publicly focused as Jolie’s.
In 2023, people started speculating about Ines de Ramon and Angelina Jolie due to their connections with Brad Pitt. In August 2023, de Ramon was seen wearing a necklace with a “B” charm, which led to rumors. Some wondered if the charm was a tribute to Pitt, whose first name starts with the same letter.
Around the same time, Angelina Jolie got new tattoos on both her middle fingers. The tattoo artist, Mr. K, posted a picture on Instagram and asked fans to guess what the tattoos were. Some people thought the tattoos might be related to Brad Pitt, but Mr. K quickly clarified that the tattoos had nothing to do with Pitt.
Mr. K explained that the tattoos were “two daggers in a geometric abstract way” and had no religious meaning or connection to crosses. He apologized to Jolie for any stress caused by the speculation.
Both Jolie and Ines de Ramon are multilingual. De Ramon speaks French, Italian, Spanish, English, and German. She mentioned that she has French roots from her mother’s side, though she hasn’t explored them much. Her children also speak French and other languages besides English.
Brad Pitt’s relationship with Ines de Ramon has sparked interest due to her similarities to his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. While both women have their own unique identities, they share several common traits: they have both dated Pitt, speak multiple languages, have similar physical features, and were in a similar age range when they first dated him.
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