Something super weird happened to me at school (trade school technically) today.
For some background knowledge it’s a cosmotology school that works with my highschool so we are all 16 through about 20.
Our owner is an older woman, so she has a lot of money, and is currently on a cruise. I’m in my last few hours until graduation and have very little to do. So I usually just sit upstairs and watch hair videos or something. I’m usually the only one up there so it’s quite, which I like.
I was just sitting there on my phone when I suddenly hear her voice all grainy. I look up and spot a ring doorbell camera on a high shelf looking over the whole room. I can’t exactly understand what she’s saying because she’s international right now.
Being watched like that especially as the only person in that room made me super uncomfortable and low-key violated. After a moment I just gathered my purse and moved to a place out of range of the camera.
Later she called one of the assistant instructors that is still here and had her scold me for moving out of the camera.
Am I being dramatic for feeling uncomfortable by this? I don’t think I am especially because I don’t know how long she was watching me. She told me “it’s time to wake up” referencing the accidental nap I took much earlier in the day.
Now I don’t feel safe in my own school.
So, Am I The Asshole for moving out of view of the camera?
Edit: Seems I wasn’t clear on why I hang out upstairs. My curriculum is complete so I’m no longer allowed to use things like hair color or mannequins because they are not free. My only job now is to be inside the school until I reach 1500 hours. The first years have arrived and get loud, so I sit upstairs and use online study material. Anyone is allowed to sit upstairs if they choose, it’s a second classroom and cafeteria.
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Something super weird happened to me at school (trade school technically) today.
For some background knowledge it’s a cosmotology school that works with my highschool so we are all 16 through about 20.
Our owner is an older woman, so she has a lot of money, and is currently on a cruise. I’m in my last few hours until graduation and have very little to do. So I usually just sit upstairs and watch hair videos or something. I’m usually the only one up there so it’s quite, which I like.
I was just sitting there on my phone when I suddenly hear her voice all grainy. I look up and spot a ring doorbell camera on a high shelf looking over the whole room. I can’t exactly understand what she’s saying because she’s international right now.
Being watched like that especially as the only person in that room made me super uncomfortable and low-key violated. After a moment I just gathered my purse and moved to a place out of range of the camera.
Later she called one of the assistant instructors that is still here and had her scold me for moving out of the camera.
Am I being dramatic for feeling uncomfortable by this? I don’t think I am especially because I don’t know how long she was watching me. She told me “it’s time to wake up” referencing the accidental nap I took much earlier in the day.
Now I don’t feel safe in my own school.
So, Am I The Asshole for moving out of view of the camera?
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> My action: Moving out of the viewing range of a camera
Why it might make me an asshole: Disobeying my principals wishes
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
INFO: Re question is why are you sitting alone in this room hours before graduation?
It really feels like the camera is there to watch an empty room, you entered which is why it notified her, she doesn’t know why your in there, and then you hide in the room.
Could just be a misunderstanding. Are their cosmetology supplies in this room? Cause that would of course expalin the camera.
NTA. Being watched through a hidden camera and then having someone try to chew you out remotely (especially while they’re on vacation!) is down right weird, and would make anyone uncomfortable.
Where I live it would be illegal to have a camera in a public space or work space without a noticeable posted warning. It would also be illegal for anyone to be monitoring that camera without reason (some exceptions include professional security). I also find that very strange and intrusive.
So, you were sleeping in the upstairs office while at school and got weirded out she was checking camera feeds and caught you? Look, you were in a public space, so she has every right to have cameras up. You got busted slacking off and she called you out on it.
>Now I don’t feel safe in my own school.
This is where I vote YTA. It’s not your school, it’s hers. You are attending as a student. You should be using your time to learn, not sleep. If you want this to be your trade in life, you should be taking it seriously. Clearly she’s ok with you just watching videos instead of being on the floor.
In terms of not wanting to be watched – NTA. It is an invasive feeling, knowing that you are being watched especially if you lack agency to avoid surveillance. The fact that you are being scolded for moving out of view is very strange indeed – you cannot demand someone be watched in that manner in many parts of the world, and even in those where it is the accepted culture it still is a contentious issue.
On the upside you are about to graduate so you don’t need to go through that shit.
NTA and she should have told you about the camera. It’s not cool to be secretly spying on people.
NTA. That is weird behavior.