((((Garden Gal)))) not making light of your situation at all. I think your boss made a huge, unprofessional no-no. I have worked in environments such as you described and tried to nip it in the bud immediately...basically asking that if there are things I need to "work on" to improve my job performance, to please reserve these conversations for in private.

That said, I read this piece in The Onion and laughed outloud because it sounded so incredibly familiar! And I could totally relate. At least we know we arent alone!

Boss Has Deft Touch For Making Employees Feel Like **** | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Ps, do your best to comminicate your requests ... best reserved for a scheduled meeting ... express the good things about the company and sandwich it with your request that critique and criticism be reserved for private discussion. Afterall. We all (or most of us) want to do our best to contribute to a successful workplace!

And if this person is simply a total a-hole and doesnt care at all - after trying to communicate in a professional, courteous manner, perhaps it is not the right environment for you. And be confident...IT IS NOT YOU! You have every reason to feel angry, hurt and fearful that it might happen again (who wouldnt. What a jerk!)

But that is why it is important to talk to your boss about it.