I watched the last severance episode.
A manager (an 80’s looking, strong and tall black man so you identify him) is told during a performance review he “uses too many big words”.
To me, while this character can appear pretentious, he is simply an articulate man, like somebody who was taught at Oxford or Princeton. It’s simply how he was raised, it’s not his “fault”.
I would feel attacked is somebody told me that for trying to use an appropriate vocabulary to describe or explain something, like being posh was something to be ridiculed.
If a coworker told me that I’d use a more detailed description so he understands what I mean but otherwise keep using my regular vocabulary. If a manager told me that I’d start looking for a new job, as it’d signal he feels entitled to micromanage me and a job doesn’t have to be stressful.
Am I too thin skinned?
I haven’t seen the show. From the context you provided and assuming good faith from both parties, it sounds like a skill issue on both their parts.
Don’t understand words? Ask for clarification during the conversation, not after the fact in a performance review.
Audience doesn’t understand your words? If the audience tells you they don’t understand, take that feedback and try to communicate more effectively.
It’s not fair to judge if this is micromanaging or toxic based on the first discussion about it. It depends on how both parties behave and choose to cooperate now that the issue has been raised. Knowing whatever history these characters have and the tone of the scene might paint a better picture of their intentions.
The show is essentially about toxic work culture. It explores all the tropes with the twist that a person’s work consciousness is completely severed from their rest-of-life consciousness; one has no recall of what the other has done.
This is only for the workers and doesn’t extend to managers.