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

[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.