I am unnerved by people who dress well.

[albadger]

This week is Extra Special Corporate Week at the company where I exchange my time and effort for their money, medical insurance and free bad coffee, so the place is buzzing with out-of-town execs in snappy suits and confident can-do demeanors. One of them is occupying a free office next to my cubicle - my cubicle where I spend half the day quietly screaming, "Don't call me! I don't want to talk to you! Shut up!" before answering the phone.

Yesterday at the very end of shift, the exec in the free office sticks his head in my cubicle. "You're Alan, right?" I assent. Being asked your name by an exec is always bad. I'm going to get "written up" for my grumblings, I'm sure. But...

"I'm very impressed with your work," he says. "What a great phone manner you have!" I thank him. Apparently he was only listening after I answered the phone.

Comments

tools of the trade

[hardybear.livejournal.com]

Obviously, you need to find a way to talk to him [on the phone] about how he evaluates you :)

Re: tools of the trade

[albadger.livejournal.com]

He was overhearing me from the next room, he wasn't on the phone... but I'd certainly follow up on it if I gave a rat's ass...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you got a compliment for your work. I would not want to be a friend who unnerves you, but I dress up for work all the time. I like how it makes me feel:)

I'm sure you look great and wouldn't scare me at all but...

[albadger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but this guy was snazzy. Not at all handsome or well put together, but everything he was wearing was so spot on, clean, new, well-fitting... and I'm left thinking, what, you're too good for the sleeve length J.C.Penny gives you?

I mean, I tried a tailor once, I really did. Didn't take.

[benpanced.livejournal.com]

If only my bosses knew how much and how often I fly the One-Fingered Salute to most of the callers I have to deal/cope with.

[albadger.livejournal.com]

I too am a Master of Soothing Concerned Voice combined with Rude Hand Gestures.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Being complimented on your work: excellent!

[albadger.livejournal.com]

I have to take it that way, even though it's work I hate doing and would be very happy never to do again... but a job's a job...

i have to keep explaining to my boss *and* his boss

[henare.livejournal.com]

that when they ask for a meeting and there's no pre-shared agenda then there *will* be presumptions made and those presumptions won't be positive so it would be useful if they'd just say what the fuck they want ...

but they never do.

Re: i have to keep explaining to my boss *and* his boss

[albadger.livejournal.com]

This would lead me to believe that the non-positive presumptions are the actual goal!