Telling a co-worker to 'f*** Off'

Yeah I agree, that's the ideal solution. Not every situation is ideal though; when coupled with an overly tired worker one can lose their cool (being human).

I would report the person to my superiors. Explain "I felt the person trys to provoke unfriendly response".

The first time it happens, I would ignore the activity. The second time, I would attempt to solve the issue myself. If that doesn't work, the third time I would escalate the matter to their supervisor. I rarely like to involve third party people in my personal situations.

J.R.

Yeah, I don't think you should use that type of language at work - whether in seriousness or in jest. And obviously your manager agrees.

Perhaps you should apologize for the language/offence but explain that you were provoked?

I think we're only human and we sometimes allow our tempers to get the best of us. However, telling a co worker to f*** off is not acceptable. You really need to apologize. I realize in the moment it probably felt nice to say it and that person probably deserved it but that is not professional conduct.

Eh, as I've gotten older I've gotten a bit less concerned with negative reactions toward me.

I actually not too long ago told two of my three bosses to f*** off. I apologized to one because he got my wrath a bit undeservedly. I did not apologize to the other because he quite deserved my wrath.

I work in a bit of a blunt office though. No room for thin skins there. The second was cool. We talked later - not about the incident - just casual joking to demonstrate neither of us held a grudge.

Like I said before, sometimes you say what you mean and mean what you say.