Today...

My current job is so unlike any other I've ever had! The work and the work load is fine. My complaints about my job rarely have anything to do with the work. Isn't that weird? My complaints are about the people (several coworkers and my bosses)! One thing that definitely doesn't make the "weird list" (because there are so many more weird things than this) but is pretty interesting is what I call the "quitting time expectations". In every job I've ever had, when it is time to go, I just get up and go. The only person I said "good night" or "see you tomorrow" to is people who sit near me or those that see me leave. That is pretty normal, right? Well, at my current job, everyone expects to get a goodbye before you leave. If you don't tell them "good night" or "have a good evening" or something, they will be deeply offended. They think you are mad at them. The next day, they will even ask you if you are mad at them because you didn't say goodbye the day before!!!! Yes, I do feel like I'm back in junior high!!! I used to tell one of my coworkers who is also freaked out by the "quitting time expectations" that this situation reminds me of family reunions. Remember when you were expected to hug Aunt Bessie when you didn't want to?! Maybe you didn't know her that well...maybe you just saw her the day before...or maybe you just plain don't like her. Hell, maybe she smells. Too bad. Your mom said you had to hug her - so you did - and you hated every minute of it. In the beginning, I would leave my desk a different way (route) so no one would see me leave. That worked for a few days. After that, the questions started flooded in about why I didn't say goodbye! Geeees! Well, I've gotten kinda used to the routine. I've even gone as far as to leave a sticky on a person's chair if they were away from their desk to tell them to have a nice weekend! I was so worried about hurting someone's feelings or being labeled as mean. And frankly, some of these people I work with are crazy! They are like ticking time bombs! I don't want to set them off! So, I usually try to play my cards right. As stupid as it is to give everyone their own personal end of day greeting, I try to do it. But now, it isn't really about their feelings...it is about my safety and sanity! Today was a horrible day for me. Again, it wasn't the work. I kinda had a slow work day. It was about my coworkers and their bullshit. Two of them in particular are missing a few marbles. They just got under my skin today. Usually, when I leave work, I tell myself over and over that tomorrow is a new day, but today, I leave thinking and feeling like this...

~"Tish"