A CONVERSATION AT THE OFFICE
or, 'ways not to be slick'
(scene: at work, late friday afternoon. coworker, guy in his mid-thirties, is getting ready to leave. self, still a workplace newbie and often socially awkward, has to work for another hour yet.
additional info: self had confused the self that the sg burlesque show in dc was next week, rather than the one after.)
coworker: (packing up to leave) so, doing anything interesting this weekend?
self: eh, not really.
(pause. in an attempt not to appear lame, self adds...)
mm, but i need to remember to see about getting work off on tuesday. my sister and i are gonna see a show up in dc.
coworker: o, cool. who's playing?
self: uh...
(self feels compelled to answer truthfully but then immediately starts backpedaling. self begins speaking in short, choppy answers rather than full sentences.
montage sequence with VO: self attempts to play upon people's tendency to assume things and play it off that "suicidegirls" is probably a band... failing that, self claims that they are a troupe of sorts that, uh, models. when asked what they model, self avoids eye contact in the most wretchedly obvious way and kind of blushes. responds that they model, "um, clothes?" in inflection intended to insinuate that this is so self-evident that the poor self should not even have to say it. which, naturally, would explain the self's readily apparent hesitation to do so. *botch!* coworker's interest is peaked. do they have a web presence? uh... yeah. only after it has become quite clear that suicidegirls is easy to find on the web and that all obscurities will fall away after a quick googling, self finally manages to deftly redirect the conversation. chit chat. a few moments later...)
coworker: so, yeah. (pointedly inquisitive look) i must say, i still don't quite understand this show thing, but i'm sure it sounds interesting.
(more idle chitchat; exeunt coworker)
____________________________
i never until this day realized the full extent of my social lameness.
i think this episode clearly demonstrates that deep down, i am intimidated by my coworkers. i can't quite figure out {1} whether i can trust them or not, {2} what is socially acceptable among them - and {2b} what is socially acceptable *in my conservative workplace* but among my *sometimes weirdly wild* coworkers - and (3) when it's better just to say nothing at the risk of seeming like a lame and uninteresting person.
o, and also that {4} i can't bluff my way worth crap. lol...
i wonder what my coworker's gonna think when he realizes i was saying i want to take a day of "personal/family leave" off work to go see a burlesque show with my sister? (with no mention of my boyfriend, either, suggesting that the whole 'sister' thing may just be another pitiful ruse. gah!)
i'm really pretty sure he's gonna look this site up. but o well... guess he can think what he likes. with a little luck i'll never have to hear about whatever conclusions he jumps to, heh. because oi, if i couldn't handle today's wee little chat, well, i'm obviously a watercooler-conversation lightweight.
or, 'ways not to be slick'
(scene: at work, late friday afternoon. coworker, guy in his mid-thirties, is getting ready to leave. self, still a workplace newbie and often socially awkward, has to work for another hour yet.
additional info: self had confused the self that the sg burlesque show in dc was next week, rather than the one after.)
coworker: (packing up to leave) so, doing anything interesting this weekend?
self: eh, not really.
(pause. in an attempt not to appear lame, self adds...)
mm, but i need to remember to see about getting work off on tuesday. my sister and i are gonna see a show up in dc.
coworker: o, cool. who's playing?
self: uh...
(self feels compelled to answer truthfully but then immediately starts backpedaling. self begins speaking in short, choppy answers rather than full sentences.
montage sequence with VO: self attempts to play upon people's tendency to assume things and play it off that "suicidegirls" is probably a band... failing that, self claims that they are a troupe of sorts that, uh, models. when asked what they model, self avoids eye contact in the most wretchedly obvious way and kind of blushes. responds that they model, "um, clothes?" in inflection intended to insinuate that this is so self-evident that the poor self should not even have to say it. which, naturally, would explain the self's readily apparent hesitation to do so. *botch!* coworker's interest is peaked. do they have a web presence? uh... yeah. only after it has become quite clear that suicidegirls is easy to find on the web and that all obscurities will fall away after a quick googling, self finally manages to deftly redirect the conversation. chit chat. a few moments later...)
coworker: so, yeah. (pointedly inquisitive look) i must say, i still don't quite understand this show thing, but i'm sure it sounds interesting.
(more idle chitchat; exeunt coworker)
____________________________
i never until this day realized the full extent of my social lameness.
i think this episode clearly demonstrates that deep down, i am intimidated by my coworkers. i can't quite figure out {1} whether i can trust them or not, {2} what is socially acceptable among them - and {2b} what is socially acceptable *in my conservative workplace* but among my *sometimes weirdly wild* coworkers - and (3) when it's better just to say nothing at the risk of seeming like a lame and uninteresting person.
o, and also that {4} i can't bluff my way worth crap. lol...
i wonder what my coworker's gonna think when he realizes i was saying i want to take a day of "personal/family leave" off work to go see a burlesque show with my sister? (with no mention of my boyfriend, either, suggesting that the whole 'sister' thing may just be another pitiful ruse. gah!)
i'm really pretty sure he's gonna look this site up. but o well... guess he can think what he likes. with a little luck i'll never have to hear about whatever conclusions he jumps to, heh. because oi, if i couldn't handle today's wee little chat, well, i'm obviously a watercooler-conversation lightweight.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
the interview is for an editorial position w/ silverchair downtown. I will know by next week. *fingers crossed*
email avec my number coming...