They said WHAT? - ...because we've all been there. (Mar/10/2008 )
I've noticed there's been quite a few threads about nasty mentors and co-workers lately. I think it's important that people seeking help in this area know that they aren't alone.
So here's my topic: What's the worst thing your mentor or a co-worker ever said to you?
I've got plenty to contribute, and I'll post them soon.
When I did my Masters, my supervisor was very nice to me.
Let me think first... That I cannot speak English because once I could not remember the English word for "Pinzette"- he was British-, that I cannot run a PCR, that I cannot plate cells because once they got a bit more confluent for transfection, whether they do not teach us anything at the uni because once I made the mistake to ask him a basic question about DNA precipitation. And these all in the middle of the lab so that everybody can hear him. Once I said eggplants instead of aubergines (that was a big mistake too). Well, it seems that I messed up everything, hah?. Strangely, I was praised by the others in the labs for my work ?? By this way, I got to know almost everybody in the neigbour labs, too since I had to ask questions for which I could not go to my supervisor.
The worst ever was that I did not hear anything positive during the Master and had to thank that person in the acknowledgement part of my thesis.
It is so funny. Once I watched the British serie "Fawlty Towers" with John Cleese. This must the way of British humour, I guess. So, he was Basil and me, Manuel.
Unfortunately, human being does not learn from his mistakes.
That my idea was insane and i should focus.
What do you want here? Are you sure that you belong in this lab? (After I worked there for several month...)
i got the focus talk...haha, next time i had a meeting, i showed up with a detailed plan for the month, and an outline for the year.... yeah, who's not focused (not me!!). nipped that one in the bud.
i think i'm very lucky, i have a boss who is interested in my results... and seems to realise that i'm better without having someone constantly looking over my shoulder. also, when it comes to needing direction or getting help, his door is always open.
V
i can question the validity of a protocol when i'm a consultant (from a medic - obviously - i'm a f-ing scientist!)
most of my best ideas were laughed at when this person was here so i waited till they left for a while and said them again and they were all accepted
In discussing an upcoming conference I was planning on attending:
"We won't have to pay for your food. You can get a free breakfast at the hotel, and they usually have crackers or something at the poster sessions in the afternoon, and you need to lose weight anyway."
In my previpus lab, during my master, My professor didn't even talk to me, and he ususally have someone else comunicating his thoughts.....and this intermediate person told me that imagination is absolutly not necessary in science!!!!
BTW, my ex-professor can speak good english, and I can speak his language too.......
I think that I’ve whined about this issue in one form or
another in this forum…..about these evil supervisors and senior colleagues.
They offend me by existing. 
You could almost hear their thoughts [who let the morons in?] while talking to you.
In a way it’s good bec you try to find your own way or at least be challenged but sometimes it could be a great waste of time almost like rediscovering the wheel.
Anyhow, my PI is really pretty cool (one of the sanest and wisest people I’ve ever met) but lately he’s been in my case..trying to get me into the PhD program.
Before each registration period we’d have this talk which consists mainly of his ultimate question “Whatcha gonna do with your life?” To which I’d reply “girls just wanna have fun” (but only in my mind of course) 
. I’d give some excuse and such…then I’m ok until the next round of registration again. I'm running out of creative excuses....
"You're one of us now, we're the heartless zombies. Welcome to the club." - that was one of the nightmares I had, in which my co-worker suggested this thought. I woke up feeling blessed that it was a nightmare and promised to myself not to end up playing their games.