[lalisabonita]

Hello! I'm new to the site, this is my first thread so I'll try not to be too long.
I'm having some issues with my colleagues overall. We are all teachers in Paris at an elite private school. I started three years ago on a maternity contract. When I began, I could already sense my boss didn't really like me. I came from Madrid to Paris to be with my fiancé so I was used to very friendly,even affectionate, people and instead I was treated rather rudely by my boss from the get-go.

I started alongside another girl who was also covering someone's mat leave. She herself was also pregnant, but failed to tell my boss until the last min. Let's call her "Sally". Sally is an all-american blonde apple pie house-wife from the 1950's type girl who married a french man. She was soo fake at meetings. I immediately saw beyond her act. I noticed Sally was extremely competitive with me since we both had temp contracts. Out of the two of us Im the only qualified teacher. Anyway she left to have her baby, I stayed & completed the year in peace.

while Sally was gone I befriended everyone at school and really made my mark with the parents and kids. My boss still hated me and made snide comments. I am from Canada-but of an Italian background. Im tall, thin, often compared tj Angelina Jolie. I was engaged to my now husband- an Italian man.
I tell you this not to sound superficial-because that's the last thing I am, but I feel all this matters to my boss.
I am extremely social and have a strong sense of humour-something the English dep't lacks!

I love fashion but I do not have that parisian "classic" style which all the girls in the English department have. The two favs of my boss are this blonde irish rich girl who is dating a very wealthy older man, and a china doll beauty married to another rich man. For their wealth, they are able to afford expensive clothes and shoes and come to school dressed as if they were going to a cocktail party.

I am MUCH more down to earth personality wise, as the two prized possessions of my boss are very prim and proper. though I know them both very well, they completely change around boss and she praises them(especially blonde) non-stop. One day she saw blonde and said "my daughter is a designer I need to give you her number.. you know she would love a fashionable girl like you, emma, or jackie." I was RIGHT there. she looked at me with a SUPER dirty look too. As I said I dont have a classic french style but I am very into fashion. I have more of a trendy look compared to the girls I suppose.

The girl I was covering for left, and my boss kept me on a temp contract as there was a girl who was next in line. So I took her temp contract making me then "next in line"
The next year we were at a work party. I brought my fiancé and we were talking to everyone. My boss said hello to everyone but me. My husband (then fiancé) is exceptionally attractive and we make a really hot latin couple! I took the initiative to say hi to boss and I said "have you met my fiancé?" she said "i saw him."
meanwhile she made it her duty to mingle with blondes boyfriend telling him to keep her in Paris!

Time went on and during a meeting she mentioned how one mother just loved me! i said "ohh you shouldnt have told me, now my head will get big" as a JOKE!
She responds with a disgusted face "I only tell you the good things I hear."

keep in mind, this lady is like 70 years old. she will not retire because she helped create the school. This summer I got married. When I sent an email to the colleagues with some pictures my boss (nor the blonde she loves-among several others in the English staff) even said congratulations.
now Sally (from the beginning of thd story) came back as someone quit 5 days before the school year. When I heard the person quit I thought "finally!! I have a permanent contract!" but oh no... she gave it to Sally. Apparently sally said shewouldnt return without a perma contract and so since my boss was "desperate" she gave it to sally.

I went to tell my boss off and she actually told me "if you want to look for work elsewhere, I understand."

Obviously I wanted to throw my contract in her face and walk off but its too late now to look for work.
Im not bragging but everyonr enjoys my company at work. the kids adore me. Why does she hate me so much?
Now the English staff feel so superior to me because she's made her feelings for me SO obvious, and they ALL have perma contracts but me. Sally is not even qualified!!!!!!! What's going on?!?!!

[Chango]

There are many people at every job that could make life uncomfortable and/or impossible for their employees or co-workers. Other than learning how to deal with these people and not let them and their ignorance affect me. One is leaving the job one currently has. The second is just ignoring them. Learning how to cope and deal is best if one is going to endure a full time job. Best of luck. I know what you are going through.

[mcl6136]

Comparison is the basis of all misery.

The way in which your colleagues are comparing themselves to you (and you, to them) is creating a workplace of misery.

Blondes/ Hot Italian couples/ apple pie/I'm not bragging/trendy/classic/china doll beauty/wealthy/blonde, irish, rich...../70 years old/disgusted face/snide comments....housewife from the 50s/so fake.

And then you wonder why there is so little harmony where you work???

Good grief.