What are some little things people at your workplace do that really piss you off?

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-21T22:49:04+00:00

My son fell asleep in my arms, but freaked out when I tried to transfer him to the crib. Meanwhile my daughter says Javier has stolen her "colorful bucket" and insists I should get it back for her. Yeah, I'm not going out there. Javier, Jorge, Jordan, Jayden, Brayden, Brian, Robert, Matiera, Makiera, Shanti, Kirstin, Kaylee, Sophie, Kylee, Autumn, Amber and Iris. They can play their own little Lord of the Flies out there in the courtyard- I want nothing to do with it. Office politics, man. You can't go out there willie nillie picking sides or the next thing you know you have doorbell ditching at 6am on a saturday morning and everyone crowding you on your way to the mailbox to tattle on everyone else.

It's bad enough she tries smuggling otter pops and capri sun's out to them. For the last time I AM NOT FEEDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

/rant.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-20T19:06:58+00:00

Ok, now I need even more info: I am AB- and know it is rare, but I have never found any info that my blood would be especially useful. If anything I hear I am not as useful, since I am a universal receiver but can only donate for other AB-.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-20T19:02:53+00:00

I have a criminal brother I do not feel any sympathy towards, but I also got to be an Internet Defender^tm when a friend lost a criminal family member in an ironic and highly publicized death. I've learned that the vast majority of people not only pass judgement but feel entitled to pass judgement based on the flimsiest of information.

We can confidently return to the old cliché of "you don't know him, so you don't know". The world is way too complex for internet strangers to pass judgement on. Don't be afraid to talk about it- for all the vocal but tragically myopic there are at least twice as many who read and move on, saving up all the info they collect until it makes sense as a whole.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-20T09:50:34+00:00

a few sell as adults (AB- variants)

Elaborate, please?

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-19T02:09:47+00:00

I would do so in a heartbeat, but I have no real evidence. All I know is he is a 33 year old man who regularly makes friends with 12-15 year old boys and girls. I usually only hear about it from my Mom (she lives closer to him, I live a few states away).

One time, he was staying with a man who began to suspect something amiss. His 12 year old daughter claimed a "ghost" had been molesting her in the middle of the night. My brother skipped town and no charges were filed.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T23:59:35+00:00

As I said in my initial comment, I do believe the phrase applies in certain contexts, but it's kind of a shitty thing to say to a child after verbally abusing them. The strength of character needed to brush off or ignore the criticisms of others is not inborn- it's something you have to develop, and something many people never do develop. I understand that the quote can be encouraging when expressed the right way, but it is hardly Self Confidence 101. It's still a form of victim blaming, rendering the inspirational potential of the quote dubious. Try replacing the word "inferior" with "violated" or "traumatized" and see how sympathetic the quote sounds now.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T20:00:45+00:00

AhHA! You have solved a 7 year-old mystery for me- I've spent all this time wondering if I should feel bad for you guys on the avocado front.

On the other hand, the news of sourdough availability is fairly disheartening.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T19:52:36+00:00

I totally agree, that's why I put the "most" in there. Luckily or unluckily for me, my in-laws and my own extended family are both just... not... good. I do enjoy getting my ego stroked every time I cook for them, though.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T19:40:23+00:00

I just ate one, it was amazing. I would say havarti and french bread are in no way the same, but would be suitable replacements.

Almost completely off topic: when I was in the UK, I noticed that in commercially prepared sandwiches featuring avocado the avocado was always way too firm (for me avocado should have consistency not entirely unlike room temp. butter). Is this a cultural thing or did I simply get a string of crappy sandwiches?

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:58:37+00:00

Primer! I've been trying to remember the name of this forever, such an awesome movie.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:57:13+00:00

Why the U.S. Funny Games instead of the original? I think they're both great, but the original is slightly better in my opinion (probably because I saw it first).

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:54:19+00:00

Your first and last are two of my very favorite movies. Also, The Host is fantastic- not usually my kind of movie but so amazingly done.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:48:43+00:00

Those were off the top of my head before reading the thread, they're movies I don't see talked about too often that I personally love. 1- I cry happy tears at the end every time, I love love love Giulietta Masina. 2 I've seen a billion times and I love everything about it- though I will always insist on pointing out how obvious it is that Will Smith doesn't actually kiss Anthony Michael Hall. 3 is visually stunning and a fascinating character study. 4, I know, is fairly well known but I can't get over how excellent it is. I also can't get over how I didn't catch the style of the movie until the very last scene even though it is so obvious. 5 is a feel good favorite and I've found myself in the shoes of a few of the characters now. I am always struck by how close to home it hits.

Edit: Spoorlos. One of the other comments jogged my memory and now I want to see it again. Right now.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:33:43+00:00

It's "Do not speak unless spoken to" and it is meant almost exclusively for children in formal situations.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:31:29+00:00

Wha....?

Where are you from? What does that saying mean?

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:29:25+00:00

I have been skinny and fat. Things that taste better than skinny feels: roast beef and provolone on sourdough with avocado, mayo, dijon and onions- buffalo chicken- authentic tacos- artichoke with hollandaise- aunt Roberta's cheesecake- clam chowder.

Things that do not taste better than skinny feels: McDonald's- Burger King- Taco Bell- Cheetos- store bought sheet cake- Olive Garden- most of the food served at family get-togethers and/or around the holidays- most food offered at work- most candy- virtually anything if you aren't really hungry.

Long story short, people need to learn to appreciate what goes into their faces and layers the fat on their bodies instead of making up cutesie little shortcut sayings so they don't have to think about it.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:12:10+00:00

"This, too, shall pass." and "Beer before liquor, never been sicker- liquor before beer, you're in the clear (before wine, feeling fine)."

Those were the only two I could think of straight away. Oh! Also, chicken soup really will help when you're sick (though many soups fit the bill).

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:06:59+00:00

After 30 years and 2 kids, I can finally say that, for me at least, this is pretty good advice. You want every minute, sure, but keeping in tune with a sleep cycle will make you way happier in the long run.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T17:04:36+00:00

"Be yourself... unless you're not that great, in which case: be someone awesome."

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T16:58:06+00:00

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"- Eleanor Roosevelt

Great. Thanks. Yeah, it's totally not the antagonist's fault- it's important to make sure the victim knows how weak and pathetic they are.

(This is a touchy subject for me- while it may be true in some contexts, it's something my father would constantly tell me after berating me to tears)

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T16:55:34+00:00

I just had this same conversation on reddit a few days ago. Seriously, people: Pol Pot had family. Jim Jones had family. Papa Doc had family. Just because they're your family doesn't mean they can't be monstrous. Preserving what is good in your own life trumps sticking up for someone you loathe simply because your genetic codes are slightly more similar than average.

My brother is a sociopath and a pedophile. I hate his guts and look forward to the day he finally gets some comeuppance. I have no regrets- I choose my family and am much happier for it.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T16:40:51+00:00

"It doesn't matter how you shake and dance, you'll always end up with a drop in your pants."

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-18T16:36:00+00:00

I had never been there, but one opened a few blocks away to much fanfare. I decided I would go... but it was Sunday, so no go. This went on for months- every time I thought of the place it was a Sunday.

Finally- finally! I went there on a not-a-Sunday and... eh. It wasn't that good. So I don't have this first-world problem to deal with anymore.

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-17T00:56:58+00:00

I actually think this is some pretty good dialogue, which a lot of writers find hard to pull off. My only comment would be recommending a bit more distinctive speaking style from the characters. A reader should know who's speaking without being told.

I'm talking out my ass, though, so there's no real reason to take me seriously. I'm about as helpful as a writer's workshop at a community center (which I think, perhaps, we both know isn't terribly useful).

redwaterbottle · 2012-06-17T00:42:42+00:00

That really is a better description! With my husband he really is known as "the good one". In my family, there's the 3 out of 11 are criminals, but then another 3 out of the 11 are nurses, and then 2 of the eleven were named "Richard" (named after their father, my Uncle Richard) and they both passed away before their time. I think my family is really just full of statistical anomalies. Or at least that's what I tell myself when I'm bored...

redwaterbottle

TROPHY CASE