Bring It Up Just To Push You Down

(I work for one of the largest cruise lines in the world in one of the shore-side offices. We have recently hired two supervisors internally that come from different departments, one person who people aren’t particularly fond of. This exchange happens between me and another coworker, who despises this supervisor, had been on her team before, and has been assigned to her again. I should also mention I’m a part of an internship program to become a supervisor.)

Coworker: “I’m not happy at all.”

Me: “I can see that.”

Coworker: “I’m really not. She’s a terrible supervisor.” *proceeds to rant*

Me: “I can empathize. She’s nice, just doesn’t seem a great fit.”

Coworker: “Okay, but you can’t talk about that. You’re part of [Internship Program] and it’s unprofessional.”

Me: “…but you brought it up.”

Coworker: “Yeah, but I can talk about it. You can’t, though. People might be listening.”

Me: “…”