Work conversations can get weirdly serious over the tiniest things.

When one employee’s casual response rubbed one manager the wrong way, another bystander couldn’t help but laugh at the pettiness of it all — which only made the manager madder.

Read on for the full story.

AITA for laughing at what my co-worker said when I thought it was a joke?

Myself and another manager, Joe, at our workplace (both of us approximately same age and men) were talking with one of our employees, Ryan, about the plans for next week. Joe has a dry sense of humor and says a lot of jokes deadpan.

Soon the stage was set for a big misunderstanding.

As we were wrapping up, Joe told Ryan to do a task for him and Ryan responded, “Sure.”

Joe then said with a straight face, “No, don’t say sure. You say yes.”

I thought that this was a kind of weird joke and laughed a little. Ryan just said “Yes” and went about his way.

But it turns out, Joe was very serious.

After this, Joe asked me why I laughed, and I said I thought he was making a little joke about being picky with responses.

Joe said it’s not picky, explaining that “I told him to do something, it’s a command from his manager, not a request. By saying sure, he is treating it like it’s a request and like he has discretion on his part. By saying yes, he’s showing he understands he needs to follow orders.”

He then told me that it was rude for me to laugh at what he said in front of our employee.

Joe’s behavior rubbed this employee the wrong way.

I sort of see where he’s coming from in that “sure” sounds more casual, but it seems super uptight on his part to react that way.

I did not apologize for laughing at what he said and don’t feel I owe him one.

AITA?

He’s a manager, not royalty.

What did Reddit think?

Joe doesn’t sound like the type of boss who creates a healthy work environment.

Joe needs an attitude adjustment — and fast.

Someone deserves an apology. but it’s not Joe.

What kind of power trip even is this?

Joe may have thought he was setting a standard, but he just came off as rigid and overly intense.

There’s a fine line between leadership and micromanagement — and he definitely crossed it.

Thought that was satisfying? Check out what this employee did when their manager refused to pay for their time while they were traveling for business.