Quote Originally Posted by Deborajen View Post
At work, the focus is business and emotions are more subdued. Not emotion-free, but usually responses are more "formal" (ie., a speech is given after a big success, a person takes some bereavement leave after a death in the family, etc.). If a person in the office is crying, then other employees are distracted wanting to know what's wrong and wanting to offer comfort, etc. Emotional responses are often seen as some kind of disruption, thus the learned behavior of taking steps to keep them in check.

As far as who determines what's acceptable and professional, that would be the person in charge at that particular business - or that person's boss, etc. Like it or not, well, that's the starting point.
+1.
Let's just step back...and think of any female managers/executives that any of us may personally know for any place we have worked...and those we have greatly respected. Most likely those who move further up the ranks /have been there for awhile AND who are highly respected by their peers female and male, and across the organizations....have at least outwardly behaviours at work, that are ..stable/predictable.

Sounds boring, but that is reality. But it doesn't mean being a robot or wooden. Helpful to know the corporate culture first. And helpful after being a new employee or working for a few years, to blend in professional and personal style.