People mistake my general reaction as "overreacting" when I'm being calm?

Question

I've worked with the same supervisor for 3 years. We've had plenty of interactions and he's the only one who thinks my response to things are "worrying and overreacting."
I'm not sure if it's because as a woman of Italian decent I tend to express myself and my feelings more aggressively and it's just my personality! He takes it as me "freaking out and panicking" when he's never seen me in full force!!
I can't change how I react to things because generally I'm SUPER calm and quiet but he still translates my reactions to things as being a worry wort.

If I'm at the calmest EVER, how do I respond to this supervisor even though I told him I'm not overreacting, this is my personality. I'm not even raising my voice or talking in a different tone - it's just my regular tone.  If I calm down any more, I'll be sleeping!

? · Accepted Answer

I'm going out on a limb here--and am gonna sound non-pc...but I know a lot of Italian women and yup--you have no idea how loud you are.  I work with such a woman and she is hilarious--but even her "whisper" is something you can hear 50 feet down the hallway.  she could be perceived the same as you--is perceived the same as you--but she kind of blends in because she ain't the only one!!  so either find a job in a louder more boisterous environment or dial it back-a lot, maybe whisper!!.  so yeah-just telling it like it is...

Foofa · Answer

You'll have to learn to temper your reactions to the tone of this particular workplace. Like we all do all the time.

g · Answer

He's nicely telling you that you're coming across as overreactive and aggressive. That's a suggestion that you amend *your* responses accordingly, not that they adjust their perception.

Pearl · Answer

that might be cause theyre overreacting

, · Answer

Obviously, there's more to this story.  Let's hear it.

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People mistake my general reaction as "overreacting" when I'm being calm?

5 Answers