Walking Alone And Without The Meaningless Praise

Jackie called me yesterday morning.  Out of the blue.  Zero warning.  She just did it.

Apparently, she wanted to vent and I was more than willing to accommodate her. I guess in some way, I vented along with her and let off some steam as well. I don’t mind it when people want to vent to me. I usually welcome that sort of thing, at least when compared to people calling me only when they need something. Don’t call me only when you need help or when you’re only looking out for yourself and want to benefit at my expense. That’s blatantly disrespectful and it’s bullshit.   

Jackie was trying to implement a new program at work and nearly everyone just shit on it.  Neither she nor her idea had a chance.  People didn’t like her suggestion nor did they even want to hear her out. Indeed, people don’t like change.  Just the mere mention that something is going to change is often enough to get people riled up.  Good thing she wasn’t too devoted to getting that program implemented, especially after the reception that she received. She effectively gave up and I don’t blame her. I would have too.   

Speaking of giving up, I told her about all the nonsense that’s overtaking my office and how I am looking to stop helping people in the office altogether.  No one cares and hardly anyone is appreciative. I am effectively removing myself from being helpful because no one appreciates a fucking thing and the entitlement is ridiculous.  The concept of even a courtesy “Thank you” has all but evaporated.  It’s gone.  It is dead.  I suppose I may have my select few people that I’ll continue to help, but everyone else…fuck them.  I just don’t care anymore.  I really need to go back into my lone wolf mode and mentality because helping is becoming more of a burden than it really needs to be.  I think I’m done.   

So apparently, and in going with what I want to say is yet another sign of the times, the powers that be at work have decided that it would be a good idea to send out regular, damn near daily e-mails to the entire office, where they compliment various workers for the work that they’ve done.  I have likened these e-mails to a written and electronic participation trophy.  Why don’t we just make a spectacle for the slightest bit of work that people are doing, even when those workers are essentially doing things that are effectively parts of their job titles?!?!  Yes, let’s give people kudos for coming into work on time (which a lot of people don’t or can’t seem to do).  Let’s praise workers for breathing and not choking on their saliva.  Did you walk in a straight line and not run into a wall?  You deserve kudos.  Did you sneeze and manage not to wear your snot?  Yes, you need to be praised.  You are awesome.  Fuck all that. 

I may have said this before, but I don’t need to be recognized for doing my job.  I never want to find my name in any of those e-mails.  I don’t need to be praised for anything that I do at work, be it big or small.  I don’t need to be praised for doing the most basic of shit.  I don’t operate like that.  Call me humble that way.

Jackie thought that whole kudos e-mail concept was hilarious.  I think it’s dumb as hell.

Then again, the office environment in which I currently find myself is also dumb as hell.

So dumb.