It was just odd.
I work in a small business, at the time of the 'training day' there were only 4 of us, now there are 3.

We went through all the usual team building games and tasks. Took some random personality tests. Had a spot of lunch. Then came time for the 'say how you feel' moment. We all sat around in a circle and I went first, spouting out some standard cliches, then the other worker went and said a few home truths to the bosses (who are a married couple and it is their business). Then came the bosses. The wife of the couple goes first, explaining how well we work as a team, how we can do better etc.

Up steps the boss.

And he starts crying.

I have never felt so awkward. Do I hug him? Do I laugh at him? Do I join in like we're all supposed to be crying?

No, I just went for a sort of understanding squint of a look.

And we've never spoken of it again since.

I got a 25% pay rise a few months later, so I guess I went for the right option though...
( Ya What Skiddlyboop, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:02, 7 replies)

what was he crying about?
how good you were, how bad, was his wife squeezing his nuts?

also, did he sack his wife?
(Monkeystrumpet monkey. Monkey, MONKEY!!!, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:04, closed)

whilst crying he said he didn't know why he was crying. In that 'small child trying to talk while crying and sounding out of breath' sort of way.

Overwhelmed by the whole situation I guess...

He didn't sack his wife now, she's still bloody here...
( Ya What Skiddlyboop, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:07, closed)

That's a bit of a cringe.
I managed something similar once.

Me and 4 biz partners were having a meeting, just batting the breeze talking about what we were up to.

I said something pretty benign to one of them, along the lines of 'It'd be good if you could get that contract agreed', in response to which he burst into tears, and started talking about how much pressure he felt he was under.

Quite. 5 minutes of looking at our feet, and the meeting broke up.
(username failed moderation, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:11, closed)

it's just weird seeing men crying. We're not 'supposed' to.
( Ya What Skiddlyboop, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:15, closed)

Freaked me
out, that's for sure. He was mid 50's at the time.
(username failed moderation, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:23, closed)

Always an awkward situation.
I once had a boss start crying during my appraisal. I'd mentioned my frustration about the new rules and procedures we were having to adhere to and he started talking nostalgically about the old days. Then something just snapped and he started crying.

It was incredibly awkward. Just the two of us, sitting in a small meeting room. I didn't even get a pay rise afterwards.
( Evil Bastardo, Thu 15 Mar 2012, 16:58, closed)

I guess it's kinda nice that they feel they can be that open with you.
But a bit of warning would be nice. I'm bad enough when women cry let alone full grown men who should know better...
( Ya What Skiddlyboop, Fri 16 Mar 2012, 8:52, closed)