Wednesday, March 08, 2006

I apologize to my coworkers who read this because they already hear me bitch about this daily.

Let me paint you a little picture here, and tell me what you think.

Imagine that a co-worker of yours says, "Hey, [insert your name here], I forgot my wallet today, do you think you could spot me $5 for lunch?" Would you then expect to buy that person lunch daily until further notice?

or

Imagine that your neighbors went on vacation, and asked you to bring in their mail while they were gone. Would you expect that to mean that you would be getting their mail every day henceforth until either you or they moved?

or how about this

Imagine that your friend's car broke down and you offered to drive him or her to work until it got fixed. To you, does that mean that your friend is going to call Victory Auto Wreckers and the guy with the big watch is going to come take their car away forevermore, since you have so kindly offered to be their lifetime chauffeur?

Here's the deal: back in December, (yes, December), the receptionist at work took two weeks vacation (hmm...must be nice). While she was gone, she got behind on some of her non-phone-answering duties. When she came back, the office manager cornered me right in front of the receptionist's desk and explained to me that the receptionist (Let's call her "Alice," because that is very much NOT her name) was behind on her work from being out for two weeks, and could I help her get caught up by doing some undesirable work involving the typewriter. Well, a) didn't really give me a choice there, did ya, and b) of course I would help her get caught up.

Well...hmm...here it is March, and apparently Alice is not yet caught up on two weeks of work from December. Except that you and I both know that she is "caught up," and the undesirable typing work is now mine forevermore. And it REALLY irritates me. And I don't know why. I mean, if the office manager had asked me right off the bat if I would take over the undesirable typing work in perpetuity, it's not like I would have said no. I may not have felt like I actually had a choice in the matter, but I wouldn't have said no. And then I would have known not to wait for an end of the undesirable work, and I would not feel frustrated daily when a stack of things to be typed mysteriously showed up on my chair.

So really, what it boils down to here is that I feel that I have a very strong work ethic. But not everyone does. And maybe Alice's isn't as strong as mine. And maybe it doesn't always feel fair that many people are able to coast by doing the absolute minimum, while I would be embarrassed to not do as much as I absolutely could. So...it's time to release the anger and stop being petty. It's time to come to terms with the fact that I am just better than most people. Haha...just kidding. But it is time to come to terms with the fact that, because I'm willing to give more, more will always be expected of me. And sometimes that sucks--especially when you see the people who get away with doing less playing solitaire at their desks trying to pass the time.

10 comments:

Elisa said...

That is pretty messed up, girl. Why don't u say something to the office manager?

I've been there in jobs like that, too and gotten stuck with crappy tasks where i was helping someone and then suddenly it was MINE. i hate that. sooooo sneaky.

Anonymous said...

You're so judgmental. Don't you know you can't judge a book by its cover? For all you know, this receptionist is working her butt off and struggling through a million learning disabilities just to make it through the day. Maybe her workload is so herculean to her that solitaire is the only thing preventing her from falling into utter despair. Maybe now she can sleep at night, for the first time in years. You should be ashamed.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for plugging Victory Auto Wreckers. We're here 7 days a week to serve you. Just say the magic words--"Kristi sent me"--and we'll give you some free stuff. Trust me, it's great stuff. This stuff is so great, it's hard to even explain. It's like syringes and ice cream. Well, not exactly like that, but it may involve medical supplies. So come on down!

Anonymous said...

To anonymous person number one---i shall simply add that if you judge a book by its cover--then you judge the look by the lover.

Anonymous said...

Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am forced to comment for the wrong reasons...
To one of the anonymous mofos:
You crazy bastard, who told you to quote some ABC? Look of Love kicks ass, and now so do you for your ludicrous reference. You're a magnificent idiot for stagnating your musical tastes in the early 80s. I think I love you.
To Kristentatious: Don't stand for that shit. My workplace consists of jerks trying to pass the buck all day...make a formal announcement that you're done doing it, dump the stack on the receptionist's desk, smile pleasantly, and tell her to have a nice day. :D

Anonymous said...

oops, the website link from my name was supposed to be http://www.abcmartinfry.com

PS> I love when the big watch guy is standing a mile away from his door to open it. Why's he so far away?!?! Did he know it was gonna fall on teh roads!?!? Did the director tell the man to stretch out his excellent acting incredulous?! He has like two minutes of utter shock acting!!! OMGWTFBBQ!11

Kristi said...

Uhhh. I love that the coworkers who *do* read (both of you) have split and/or multiple personalities. Nice touch. I also like the whole "playing the devil's advocate" angle you're taking there...way to kick me when I'm down. See if I save a bagel for you ever again...oh. Wait. Nevermind.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kristus:

go to sleep---and please try to have pleasant dreams of label typing----i.e., loser901---Alice/Termination

Dear Dr. V:

To you I say the following:

"Me I go from one extreme to another"

Anonymous said...

Ummm..all i have to say is...

"It's about that time..."

PS. how do you expect her to get caught up with her WORK, when obviously she has to catch up on all the personal calls and bathroom breaks she missed when she was out of the office. duh kristis. duh.

see you moonday. =0)