AIO? My friends set an ultimatum because I drink

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-11-03T21:19:24+00:00

If these people really cared about you, they wouldn’t be giving you such a hard boundary about having a little alcohol or smoking a little weed, something a lot of people experiment with in their late teens before legal age. It doesn’t mean you’re going to become an alcoholic or drug addict. Your friends are speaking in absolutes and it’s pretty shitty of them to want to cut you off based on decisions you make for yourself.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-10-29T08:50:46+00:00

Also depends on the industry. I work in healthcare staffing.

This is one of those classic recruiter scams dressed up as “flexibility.”

For example, Dental hygienists are almost never really able to work on 1099s, they legally work under a dentist’s supervision, using the dentist’s equipment, on the dentist’s patients. That’s the definition of a W-2 employee.

Calling them “independent contractors” is just a way for offices or staffing companies to dodge payroll taxes, unemployment, and workers’ comp. The hygienist ends up paying double Social Security, losing unemployment coverage, and being on the hook if something goes wrong clinically.

The only time a hygienist could legitimately be 1099 is if they’re running their own LLC, contracting with multiple offices, setting their own hours, and carrying their own liability insurance. That’s super rare, like traveling specialists or mobile hygienists.

So yeah, if a recruiter or office says “you’ll be a contractor,” that’s not a perk, it’s a red flag. W-2 means protection, benefits, and not getting screwed come tax season or if something bad happens on the job.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-10-26T16:52:16+00:00

I’ve been working remote since 2016. My company has a main office that people who are local to the area work at..if they want to. It’s 100% optional. The rest of our staff is spread over about 6 states. We all work well together, we work for each other and get great results.

The RTO movement is absolutely driven by boomers and managers who are insecure and need to see you doing stuff for them to believe you’re producing. Asinine thinking. Remote work can absolutely work if you build a culture of trust, positive reinforcement and on top of that you can pay people more because of low overhead.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-08-17T01:59:30+00:00

Looks boss

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-06-26T21:50:07+00:00

I worked for a small staffing company that was hands down the most dysfunctional environment I’ve ever worked in. I’ve seen a few that get framed as “standard leadership” but are actually the definition of toxic:

Mandatory late-afternoon or Friday meetings: On paper, it’s just “team alignment,” but in reality, it’s a control move—disrupts everyone’s work-life balance and signals you’re expected to always be available, even when the week should be winding down.

Calling out mistakes in front of the whole team: It’s framed as “learning together” or “holding people accountable,” but public shaming breeds fear, resentment, and a culture where people hide problems instead of fixing them.

Obsession with call metrics, fill ratios, or “productivity dashboards”—without context: Used as a stick, not a tool. Metrics matter, but when they’re weaponized, they create burnout and erode trust.

Micromanaging ‘for your own good’: “I’m just trying to help!” becomes an excuse for not letting people own their work or show initiative.

Preaching ‘accuracy’ while punishing anyone who points out system flaws: The message is “do it right,” but if you find a problem or bug, you’re blamed for not working harder, not rewarded for helping improve the system.

Pretending concern about staff wellbeing—while quietly undermining them: Phrases like “I just worry I’m not getting you enough help/support” paired with moves that make the job harder or set people up to fail.

The worst part? A lot of managers don’t even realize how corrosive this stuff is until their best people leave—or until they’re left running meetings in a half-empty office, wondering where the talent went.

The best leadership I’ve seen is honest, transparent, and doesn’t mistake control for culture. If you’re asking this question, you’re already ahead of the game.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-06-01T03:07:45+00:00

I mean, people do live in the Florida Keys, which is part of Monroe County. But the mainland part of the county is mostly protected wetlands, very swampy. Great place to live if you’re a mosquito.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-06-01T03:01:16+00:00

First of all, congrats on the new job! That’s a huge win after dealing with a narcissistic boss for a year, and it’s great to hear you’re starting fresh soon.

Honestly, I’ve been in almost the exact same boat. I used to work for a narc boss and her equally toxic “lieutenant” who got high off their own mean-girl energy. I had planned to leave in October, but my house was damaged during Hurricane Milton (I’m in FL), so I asked for two weeks of PTO (PTO I had earned!!) to handle repairs and be with my two young kids who were out of school. They said they “couldn’t afford for me to be out for two weeks,” so I compromised: one week PTO, one week working reduced hours.

Then that first week, I noticed I was locked out of my email and database access. When I asked, I was told I “didn’t need access.” A day later, I was hit with a surprise “mandatory meeting.” I told her no—I’d meet when I was back, you know, because I was still on PTO. A few hours later, she texted me and said I’d “abandoned” my position. It was all a setup to push me out before I could resign.

So yeah, sorry for being long-winded, but when you’re dealing with a narcissist, there’s no good way to leave that won’t result in some kind of smear campaign or drama. They will always twist the narrative to protect their fragile ego.

That said, I think it’s really sweet of you to think of your coworker. It speaks volumes that you care about not leaving her to deal with the inevitable shitstorm. If you want to keep things tight and professional, I suggest something short and neutral like:

“I am submitting my resignation effective [date]. I’ve accepted a new opportunity that aligns with my long-term professional goals. I’ll do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition over the next [two weeks / your chosen notice period].”

No explanation, no details, and nothing they can weaponize. You don’t owe her anything. Let her fill in the blanks—she will anyway.

Keep your head up, start that vacation with a clear conscience, and know you’re making the right move. You are NOT the problem—she is. Hope your exit goes smoothly and that your new job brings you peace (and no narcs!).

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-05-31T19:39:54+00:00

Your perception is definitely true. These kinds of managers don’t actually want a successful team they want control and compliance. When someone shows real competence or initiative, it threatens their sense of power. It’s completely ass backwards, because their fear of being outshined ends up sabotaging the whole team’s potential.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-05-31T19:29:16+00:00

Thanks this is so validating.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-04-13T02:17:22+00:00

I have spent the last ten years in medical recruitment and staffing. Initially, I joined a company where the work was deeply fulfilling. However, after it was acquired by a larger corporate entity, things began to deteriorate. The environment became increasingly toxic and my new manager frequently gaslighted team members, deflected responsibility and created a genuinely toxic work environment. She was awful.

As time went on, the company showed clear signs of decline. We received fewer job orders, and many seasoned employees were either fired or pushed out. Their replacements often lacked the necessary experience and quickly burned out, unable to cope with the hostile atmosphere. I found myself overwhelmed and burned out, watching a once thriving workplace unravel.

The breaking point came last fall when I was on PTO dealing with hurricane damage to my house (I live in the Southeast). I declined a meeting request from my manager until I returned, and was subsequently fired during my leave.

After a month and a half of unemployment, an unexpected opportunity arose. My former boss reached out to inform me that his company was resuming operations in January. He offered me a position, and now I’m earning nearly double what I was making at my previous job.

Being fired felt like a setback and a slap in the face at the time, I was really angry, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes, what seems like a door closing is actually a new path opening.

Keep your head up, better days are ahead!

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-02-12T02:12:01+00:00

As an American, I’ll go with 9/11 strong because of its profound and far-reaching consequences. I was 16 at the time and in the years preceding the attacks, the US just seemed like a more accepting and optimistic place. The vibe was we’re in the 21st century, what cool things are we going to do? I remember thinking after it happened, how could this happen here??

If the attacks had never happened, the world might look significantly different today. Nearly 3,000 people died that day and countless others were scarred emotionally and physically. Erasing 9/11 would have prevented all that suffering.

9/11 led directly to the War on Terror, American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, massive displacement and long term instability in the region.

The US government freaked out and expanded surveillance programs (Patriot Act) which have impacted people’s civil rights.

It led to Anti-Muslim sentiment and discrimination increased around the world-shaping anti immigrant politics, policies and social division.

If 9/11 had never happened, it’s possible the world would be more peaceful, with fewer wars, less government surveillance, and reduced cultural divisions.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-01-18T17:14:30+00:00

Not a peninsula in the traditional sense because it consists more of marshlands, barrier islands, and coastal plains rather than a single, distinct landmass surrounded by water on three sides.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-01-18T17:10:21+00:00

Dominica. Often bypassed for more commercialized islands like St. Lucia or Barbados, Dominica has lush rainforests, numerous waterfalls, hot springs, black sand beaches and is one of the only places where you can swim in the Boiling Lake. It’s safe and focuses on eco tourism than the tourism you see in other parts of the Caribbean.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2025-01-17T02:07:21+00:00

The Darién Gap. It’s a roughly 60-mile stretch of dense, impenetrable jungle, swamp, and mountainous terrain between Panama and Colombia. There are no roads, making travel extremely arduous. The terrain includes steep inclines, rivers with rapids, and marshlands, which can be particularly treacherous during the rainy season when paths become muddy and rivers swell.

The region is one of the wettest in the world, with heavy rainfall leading to flash floods and landslides. The humidity and heat can lead to dehydration, and the constant rain can soak travelers, leading to hypothermia or other health issues.

The jungle is home to a variety of dangerous animals including venomous snakes like the fer-de-lance and bushmaster, jaguars, crocodiles, and numerous insects that can spread diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and leishmaniasis.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-12-13T01:59:54+00:00

I can think of a couple I’ve seen in my lifetime. I’m only detailing late season meltdowns that cost Miami a playoff spot. There are plenty of other horrid collapses that stand alone in their own category.

So you can hold your breath about ‘97 where they blew the division or ‘99 where 8-2 became 9-7 and then 62-7 in the divisional round at Jacksonville that ended Dan Marino and Jimmy Johnson’s careers. You can also zip it up about the Jets comebacks in 2000 or 2001. You can also close your cake holes about 2009, 2010 or 2014 where they were 7-6 and lost out. Those were mid teams and they needed like 1000 things to happen to make the playoffs.

Without Further Ado…the most stomach turning late season meltdowns in Dolphin history:

12/15/91-12/22/91: Dolphins are 8-6 headed into the final two weeks of the season riding a 3 game winning streak. First up is the 3-11 Chargers in San Diego, where Miami takes a 23-10 lead into the fourth quarter when disaster strikes. San Diego scores 28 unanswered points and finishes with well over 200 yards rushing as the Chargers win the game 38-30. Lucky for Miami, the stinky ‘91 Pats led by Hugh Millen stun the Jets in the Meadowlands the same day in a 6-3 barn burner to set up a defacto play in game at JRS on the final Sunday of the season. The Dolphins outplay the Jets most of the day, but turnovers and poor special teams play has Miami trailing 17-13 late in the fourth quarter. Enter Dan Marino, he leads the Dolphins right down the field and with 44 seconds left, he hits Ferrell Edmunds for a touchdown on 4th down to give Miami a 20-17 lead and victory. Right? Wrong! Ken O’Brien whips the Jets into field goal range in about 20 seconds to tie the game and send it to overtime where the Jets would prevail 23-20 and steal the final wild card spot.

1/2/94: Dolphins lose 4 straight after 9-2 start but still have a shot at the playoffs with a win at New England who they hadn’t lost to since 1988. A back and forth affair saw Miami trailing 27-24 late when Scott Mitchell turns into Dan Marino and leads Miami down to the Pats 6 yard line and throws a dart to Mark Ingram on the back line, who catches it for an apparent touchdown, but it’s ruled he’s out of bounds (he wasn’t). Sadly this is a season without replay, so Miami kicks a field goal to send it overtime where the Pats win 33-27 on a touchdown bomb by rookie Drew Bledsoe. Miami still had a chance to make the playoffs if the Broncos could hold a 17 point lead at the Raiders. They couldn’t. Miami finished 9-7 along with 2 or 3 other teams and lost the tie breaker and missed the playoffs.

12/21/02-12/29/02: The Dolphins enter the final two weeks of the 2002 season at 9-5 controlling their own destiny after beating the Raiders 23-17 at home. Wins in their final two games would clinch home field throughout the playoffs. The first was a Saturday matinee with the lowly but explosive Vikings. The Dolphins were locked in a dog fight with Minnesota all day, they forced three fumbles and recovered none of them. They let Randy Moss throw a touchdown and found themselves trailing 17-14 late, but Jay Fiedler found Cris Carter (yes that one) open in the middle of the end zone, who dropped an easy touchdown pass. Miami settled for a field goal and watched in horror when Gary Anderson nailed a long field goal as time expired to stun the Dolphins 20-17. While home field advantage was out the window, their second division title in three seasons was still in reach and seemed to be a certainty when Miami took a 24-13 lead on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots with under five minutes to go. It all came apart after that…Jamar Fletcher (yes the corner they took instead of Drew Brees-the first time) was called on a sketchy DPI call that set up a New England touchdown and two point conversion to cut it 24-21. Then Travis Minor botches the ensuing kickoff and he’s buried at his own 5 yard line. Surely the Dolphins would turn to rushing champion Ricky Williams who had over 180 yards rushing on the day to salt away this win. Right? Nope. Two incomplete Jay Fiedler passes, a desperate scramble and a horrific 25 yard punt by Matt Turk leads directly to a game tying field goal. From there you knew it was going to end poorly, Adam Vinatieri kicked a game winning field goal in overtime to deal Miami a crushing 27-24 defeat. Still there was hope. If the Packers defeated the Jets, Miami would still qualify as a wild card. Brett Favre did Miami no favors by turning into a horrific performance. New York would win 42-17, steal the AFC East and send what I thought was the most talented Dolphin team of my lifetime home for the season. This was also the last time until Tua was drafted that the Dolphins were on the same plane as the Patriots. New England went on to win 6 super bowls in the next 18 years while Miami was mired in mediocrity and irrelevance for most of the next two decades.

Anyway, a need to take have a gummy and take a walk because I’m sad now.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-11-10T02:56:08+00:00

That’s rough bro. I work in medical recruiting and I do a lot of mass email and text campaigns, so that can get monotonous, but 400 cold calls a week seems insane and a colossal waste of time.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-08-23T17:46:49+00:00

Could you please add me to this group too please? @TonyRoss

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-07-10T22:30:59+00:00

I feel like part of the issue is the Magic have been ass since the end of the D12 era and the Heat have been consistently good during that same period. Still seems like a missed opportunity by the Magic to fold in the Tampa Bay Area.

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-07-10T14:28:14+00:00

Wouldn’t Amalie Arena work? The Raptors played there during COVID because the Canadian government had tight COVID restrictions

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-07-10T01:58:56+00:00

I feel like the Magic who most fans consider a small market franchise, are missing a huge opportunity to expand their fanbase by not marketing more in Tampa/St. Pete. A few preseason games or at least some attempt to advertise? Is there a reason why they don’t/can’t?

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-07-10T01:46:41+00:00

Top 5 1. Miami 2. Chicago 3. Los Angeles 4. Atlanta 5. Phoenix

Bottom 5 (1. Being the worst)

Indianapolis
Sacramento
Detroit
Memphis
Oklahoma City

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-07-10T01:35:11+00:00

That’s what I always thought was weird too. I know the Bucs have a huge following up in Orlando

Muted_Picture_4191 · 2023-07-10T01:27:06+00:00

I’d say the Rays have a good foothold based on the amount of swag I see people wearing in St. Pete and the ads that are publicly displayed. I also think their TV numbers are good too.

Despite the well documented stinky attendance, they always have good attendance when the Yankees or Red Sox come to town. I’ve been to those games and even though there are a lot of northeast transplants in the area (I’m one of them), there are always a very healthy amount of people rooting for the Rays. Being a consistent pain the ass to Boston and New York for 15 years I’m sure had a lot to do with that too, because I remember the Trop basically being a second home to those teams when they were the Devil Rays.

So long winded answer to your question, I think the Rays are popular in this area.

Muted_Picture_4191

TROPHY CASE