I started a new job in June. It’s a sort-of government job including a union. I’m not entirely sure if that is the root of my gripe.
Basically, constant bitching about the work. All these people fucking do is complain. Whine whine whine. Is it because they’re in the union and thus safe? Plus they’ve all been here for 14-23 years. I’m only 26 years old - am I going to become this bitter and assholish when I’m 40?
It’s driving me nuts. I’m used to working at smaller companies with people my age with my general interests. Suddenly I’m working with all these middle-aged women whose lives revolve around taking their kids to dance practice and the cult of Costco and how their lazy husbands don’t help with anything. There’s one woman I’ve never heard say anything positive, whenever she talks she brings up a negative anecdote.
I’m dangerously close to shouting out IF YOU AREN’T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS THEN SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Dear co-worker who consistently forgets to log off the common workstation in the shipping area: You know that yellow sticky on the screen that says “LOG OFF”? The one that ***you ***made, to remind yourself? It ain’t working. I would say something to you directly, but since you have issues with a “non-manager” telling you what to do, we’ll just have to keep sticking that little yellow note in the middle of the screen. Hope it doesn’t bug you too much.
I’m convinced that some people are born with minds that complain automatically. Others fall into social complaining. I heard S.I. Hayakawa, once, on a talk show say that if person A, in meeting person B, makes three statements in conversation that person B agrees with, then person B will tend to feel friendly with person A. Common complaints can be a way to create camaraderie.
Personally, I think it sucks, but a lot of my relatives on my Dad’s side seem to complain and bad talk people and groups as their standard, go to method of conversation. And you can tell that they’re really expecting you to join in on the fun.
But whether it’s nature or habit, if you’re 26 and not a bitter asshole yet, you probably missed picking up the inclination. Although you are complaining here. Nah. Here doesn’t count.
That would be a fantastic solution to the log-off problem, but we don’t have admin rights to our PCs. I will suggest that to my boss though.
And, regarding being bitter and assholish when you’re 40: being a corporate drone for a decade and a half (or more) can do that to you. When I started with Ma Bell 35 years ago, I wondered about the old-timers and their seemingly constant bitching and moaning…all these years later, I think I understand.
Hey, if she leaves herself logged on, couldn’t you, ah, create some interesting emails ‘from’ her? Do that a time or two and she’ll start remembering to sign off.
I’ve worked at a lot of companies in my 15 years of temping, and the worst for complaining are usually union shops. There’s something about being unionized that seems to give people an oversized sense of entitlement.
Well, there’s that, too. You see the same shit over and over and over and over…
Not sure if it’s the union or not, but for whatever it may be work, my father worked a union job for 38 years, and the only thing I ever heard HIM complain about was how much everyone else complained. I work a non-union job, and all my co-workers do is bitch about each other and their spouses (in order) and take down the funny signs I put up to keep myself from going (even more) batshit crazy.
I can second this. In fact, in some places, it doesn’t matter how long the old-timers have been around, either. I’ve been here 10 years, and from DAY ONE, everybody complained. A big chunk of my co-workers (about 50% of the department) started only a few months before I did. They have ALWAYS been complainers. I recommend headphones if they’re allowed, and seeking out ANYBODY who is not also part of the “Kitchen Bitchin’ Club.”
I became obsessive about locking my desktop when walking away even just to the printer after a security blitz at my first job. The entire group was given permission to do whatever they wanted to any machine they found unlocked. Trying to trick your coworkers into walking away was acceptable tactics.
The favorites seemed to be protests against any current management initiative - The new dress code policy sucks, I’m going to keep wearing my band t-shirts no matter what they say - or sexual confessions - I can’t stop staring at Brad (oldest by a few decades member of the group, very happily married, sweet guy) I just want him to slam me up against a wall and make me scream.
Unwritten yet obsessively adhered to rule was that the highest level of management copied was the one who authorized the program
It only took most people a week or so and the program fell into disuse thanks to security compliance. By contrast the company had been trying to convince people to follow this process for months with no appreciable increase in compliance.
So when I started this job, everyone told me to seek out my coworkers and be social and try making friends. So I started joining them at the lunch table and coffee chit chats. Now that I’ve been around long enough to know everyone’s personalities, I know who to avoid, but if I stop joining the lunch table and coffee time everyone starts questioning me and demanding I come sit with them!
Thank god I have an internet connection for my sanity…
Aaaah!. I used to work at a not-for-profit where I was the youngest person in the entire organization by fifteen years. It was painful. Couldn’t get anyone motivated to fix anything. Best thing that happened to me was getting downsized from there.
Now I’m a bitter guy in my 40s, but there’s lots of others my age here. Who aren’t averse to change. Much less painful.
And, yes, unions do seem to encourage whining. I work at a union plant now, and it’s known for fine whines.
I’d really advise keeping an eye open for better opportunities elsewhere.
Does “I’m sorry, I have a headache” work where you are? Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t (and just leads to unsolicited advice), but it might help.
There are only three of us here today. My boss has talked to my other coworker ALL DAY LONG, with just short breaks to actually do some work. Fine, whatever, that’s not my rant. My rant is she just had the gall to come out and say '“It’s been quiet here today.”
No it fucking hasn’t. Every thought that goes through your head comes out your mouth and I don’t have a door to shut.
This is my better opportunity elsewhere I worked here in the summers as a student, but at a different location where the people were not as cranky. The team I work on is great, but we operate out of several different locations so I’m the only one here and they put me in a corner with unrelated people. But listening to their family problems is excellent birth control!
My plan is to eventually transfer to another, more desirable location but 3 months isn’t much leverage yet.
I guess I was just lucky before having coworkers that I really liked! We’re still friends even though I left.
I suggest horses, as she is female.
I worked here in the summers as a student, but at a different location where the people were not as cranky. The team I work on is great, but we operate out of several different locations so I’m the only one here and they put me in a corner with unrelated people. But listening to their family problems is excellent birth control!