For goodness sake, soon enough, we won't be allowed to breathe either - and then where will we be?
I'd ask if you have heard the latest ludicrous idea but given it's about curtailing chat in the workplace, you probably haven't.
As if we don't have enough to worry about in work - meeting deadlines, staying dignified and keeping our desk clean - soon we may not be allowed to speak openly about super controversial subjects such as football.
Ann Francke, head of the Chartered Management Institute, has caused shock waves this week by saying that bosses should actively curtail male staff talking about football, cricket and rugby in case women feel 'left out' at work.
According to this woman, sports chat at work should be discouraged because if 'unchecked', it can be a 'gateway' to 'laddish banter'.
The expert on gender balance in the workplace said: "It's very easy for it to escalate from VAR talk and chat to slapping each other on the back and talking about their conquests at the weekend. It's a gateway to more laddish behaviour and - if it just goes unchecked - it's a signal of a more laddish culture'.
Dear oh dear oh dear.
I think this woman definitely needs a reality check.
She needs to be reminded that it's 2020 and yes, while we all have to adhere to certain workplace rules, the place where we each spend at least eight hours of our day also has to be social.
Personally, I think she is talking nonsense and is in danger of taking all the fun out of life.
She should realise many, many women follow sport and love to have a good chat with other women and also male colleagues about developing events on the pitch.
Where I sit in the news room, I often listen to our lovely sports guys having lively discussions about football and GAA and it doesn't bother me one little bit.
In fact, if they were told to stop it, the entire atmosphere of the editorial department would change and not for the better.
I do not have one bit of interest in sport but now and again, I do learn something new when listening to my colleagues and never once has the conversation accelerated into so-called laddish-behaviour so I don't know which workplaces you are talking about Ann but it's certainly not mine.
I should also point out that listening to colleagues talk about sport can also be quite hilarious just like when I chat to my work chums about all sorts.
I mean where would this ridiculous ban end?
No talk about our families? No chat about who murdered Graham in the Dales? And no banter about Love Island?
Do one Ann, no-one comes between me and the villa.
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Will this nonsense ever stop?
Not content with having changed just about everything else around us, now millenials are targeting our bingo.
In a bid to make the game cool (it already is) they have taken to trying to change the traditional phrases.
So now, instead of 88 being `two fat ladies' it's `Wills and Kate', 38 is now `avocado on a plate' and 68 is `late for my Tinder date'.
And let's not forget, 83 is `gluten free' and 74 is `recycle more'.
Come on, there's nothing wrong with our traditional bingo lingo. Leave it alone.
Go find another cause to tweet about.
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Competition
Spring is on the horizon so how do you fancy winning a blooming fantastic voucher to help brighten up your days?
Lily Rose Floral Designs, which is based in Dromintee, Co Armagh, opened for business in 2018.
Set up and operated by mother-of-four, Lynne McBennett, the successful small business has grown out of her love for all things creative.
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In 2019, she also introduced flower crown workshops for hen parties, special birthdays or baby showers and also runs alternative staff nights out making table centrepieces and candle arrangements.
In keeping with the seasons, Lily Rose Floral Designs also operates Easter and Christmas wreath workshops and don't forget, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
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I have two £30 vouchers for Lily Rose Floral Designs to give away.
If you fancy winning a voucher, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, February 4, 2020
(Q) In which county is Lily Rose Floral Designs located?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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The winners of The Titanic Sisters competition are: Bernadette Mullin from Carrickmore, Mary Donaghey from Derry, Brenda Carey from Cushendall, Brigid Larkin from Belfast and Paula Meighan from Glengormley.
