Dear jock:

So very, very good to have you here! Delighted! Your words “you cant beat her!” still play in my mind, from time to time and still provide me with inspiration: thank you!

Regarding the touching you described by the female line manager- it is the manipulative aspect of it that would bother me too (in addition to not liking the uninvited touch itself, in the context of a non- personal relationship perhaps).

She touched you to express her apology for inconveniencing you as if she values your time (apologizing or being late) and then she continues to bark at you and in so doing, clearly not valuing your feelings, and proceeding to hurt you. So which is it?

I would tell her to stop barking. Somehow, I would assert myself with her.

Again, good, good… very good to read from you again!

anita