well.. i thought about all that. problem with bringing other people in on it is they're good friends with him. they've worked with him for years and have known him even longer than that, so they know he's a jerk. one once told me even though he's one of his very best friends he's probably the biggest jerk he knows. and i feel if i say something in private to him he'll just say something dumb, call me susan and take something for my chronic vaginitis. the owner of the shop is just oblivious, so it's almost useless to go to him. i mean don't get me wrong, he can be nice. i've gone out of my way to do things for him, and he's thanked me for my graciousness. he actually apologized to me once b/c he was a royal dick the day before. i didnt say anything, he just up and said sorry for being a dick, but then followed it up with a comment along the lines of, dont be so dumb or something like that.. so he negated the apology. suppose i was lucky to get that much out of him. usually i just blow him off with "you're right, i'm an idiot." or just agree with what he says. other times i do tend to antagonize him by intentionally ignoring him or being sarcastic right back.. depends on me mood for the day.