I'm firmly in the belief that people should be allowed to cry whenever they need too - including at work if necessary. I think I'd have this opinion even if I didn't have a crying fetish.  It's not surprising in the slightest that you started to cry after such a fright. I'm glad you at least still let yourself cry when you were alone (did tears fall down your face then? )

It annoys me somewhat that these articles on the web discourage crying in the work place. Basically they discourage it because of the perceived view other may have of you for showing emotion. Nothing about the person thats upset! Very few people cry delibrately these days in a work environment so you have to assume that any show of emotion in genunie. Why is the focus then not on helping that person rather than criticising them and probably making them feel even worse.  

Over the years I've seen several people cry (almost all women) in the office - all office white-collar jobs. And I can honestly say my opinion did not alter with any of them. In fact if anything I probably placed more respect on them for being open and honest.

I sometime wonder if it really does have the negative effect that these articles say it does. I'm sure folks on here will have bad stories to tell (please do tell - good and bad) but I've not witness any seriously negative responses to tears.

I've notice women tend to wipe tears away more when they cry at work. Which is a bit counter-productive as it more often than not makes their eyes redder! My wife has cried at work a few times (office white-collar job) and during one particular emotional 1-2-1 conversation (discussing unfair pay rises) with her boss she started to cry. She told me later she was angry with herself for crying but so wanted to get her point across she pressed on - tears and all. She was so focused she allowed the tears to roll down her face unchecked, dripping off her chin in full view of her male boss. Voice was very shaky almost to the point of sobbing. He never reacted to her tears until the very end when he told my wife to stay back a few minutes alone in the room to compose herself. Saying this actually started a fresh round of tears. Although at the meeting she felt she did not get anywhere a few months later she got a pay rise - so her tears at the earlier meeting obviously did not do her any real harm.

To be honest (and I'll wait for the responses from all you women on the forum) it's hard for a guys to show emotion at work. More so in front of other males. People may raise an eyebrow at a woman crying but it's a whole different ball game if a guy is seen crying.

Personally I've only cried once at work but that was only in front of a female colleague who was also a friend. Because I trusted her (very important) I was not embarrased and allowed tears to fall freely - she actually started crying with me - unchecked tears as well. But I must admit I would not allow myself to cry in front of the entire office - that would be uncomfortable.

But, perhaps employing double standards here I would not discourage anyone else from crying. So, in my book your emotions are fine

Once last point (I've gone on long enough) - I've been training as a counsellor and they discourage the counsellor from showing any emotion. Not because the counsellor is not allowed to have feeling but because it detracts from the person being counselled. In counselling the individual being counselled is the most important person and the focus must be 100% on them. That's not to say counsellors don't tear up but thet must try not to let the clients see.

Interest subject - hope to here more views from you all.

Part of the stigma about crying at work, I believe, is that it can be viewed as "unprofessional".  Personally, I have no problem with shedding a few tears, but outright sobbing would probably make co-workers uncomfortable.  The few times I had a crying jag I went into the bathroom and locked myself into a stall until I was able to compose myself.

meantangerine you don't exately have a white collar office job! Me neither. I won't tell you exactely what I do but I work in the medical field. From my observations I can tell that nurses are more likely to shed some tears then doctors. Ther are very few male nurses, maybe the nurses feel better being under women and allow themselves to cry. Also nurses are more involved in the care of the patient, they see the patient several times per day, maybe talk to them whereas the doctor just comes in for some examination or on the ward round and is less involved with the patient.