I (32M) work in an office where everyone has at least a bachelor’s degree. Most of my coworkers have their degrees framed on the walls of their offices, and some also have pictures of them at their graduations; I think I’m the only one that doesn’t.

I’d rather decorate my walls with pictures of my wife and me on trips we’ve taken. I also didn’t even attend my college graduation, so I don’t have any cap and gown pictures.

Recently a coworker, John, started suggesting I didn’t actually go to college and lied to get this job. I basically ignored it, but that just convinced him more. He started saying things like “must be nice to have gotten this job without doing any real work” and “if you’d gone to college like the rest of us, you’d understand”.

I tried ignoring him, but I could sense our other coworkers beginning to think John might be right since I wasn’t really disputing it. I figured I’d just bring in my degree and put an end to it.

I graduated with a “first class honors,” which my diploma says. I’ve never mentioned this to anyone at work because it didn’t feel important. When I brought my diploma in, my coworkers really focused on the “first class honors” thing.

I kinda became the hotshot of the office, which was weird. My boss insisted I add it to my wall, saying it “looked good for the company.” My coworkers then began teasing John about the whole thing, pointing out that HIS degree doesn’t say anything about honors.

Now John is pissed off and calling me an AH, saying I made him look bad with the whole “honors” thing, and saying I could’ve found some other way to prove I graduated without bringing in the degree.