It’s kinda bittersweet to be middle aged and finally have a job I actually like. I program robots to bend metal all day, like Bender from Futurama. It’s super cool and I have zero dread on Sundays for once.
But when I talk to my coworkers, I’m reminded of how rare and lucky that really is. For everyone else the week is still grueling and maddening. The people with “bullshit jobs” aren’t having any fun at all.
So when we start talking about the weekend as an escape, I try to keep it real and see if there’s any way I can make their life more pleasant. Maybe they need a good word for a promotion, or backup asking for a raise, or a lie when they need to leave early, or a glowing job reference.
Imagine how much more our society would accomplish if there were no bullshit jobs and everyone either programmed the robots, or made pottery/paintings/whatever the neurotypicals enjoy.
This feels like AI
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
I knew someone would have beaten me to it :D
What was Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early?
The thing about Arsenal is, they always try to walk it in!
And I take offence that anyone should actually have access to the information of what I have done, or will do in my personal time. Good weekend? Yes. Plans for the weekend? Not much. There has to be a whole lot of getting to know someone before I’ll talk about my personal plans.
I think those questions are supposed to help them get to know you though. If you don’t talk to them how would they get to know you lol
You know you can be sociable without giving them details? “Yeah, I’ll be seeing family”, “Got some jobs around the house that need doing”, or even “nah, just taking it easy this time”. It doesn’t even have to be quite factual. The person asking almost certainly doesn’t really care about the details, they’re just trying to connect with you, so maybe have some fun with it. Hint that you have a secret identity as a superhero who fights the misuse of apostrophes or em-dashes, or that you spend all your spare time painting minatures models of slime molds.
I saved a baby from a mountain lion is my favorite go to, it’s amazing how many people will just continue on.
Try:
“Frankly Joanne, I don’t believe that is any of your business”
How to socialize at work:
Don’t 🚫
-an introvert
I have Wednesdays off so my Tue-Thus is usually something like:
Tuesday:“Oh I can’t meet Wed, I’m off. Let’s talk Thursday.”
Wednesday: Off
Thursday:“Sorry I missed Wednesday meetings, let me know if I missed anything important.”
Unless you get me on a Thursday or a Monday, tomorrow’s no good.
You still have room to add in shift complications, lunch and childcare responsibilities.
Tue: “traffic these days, huh?”
Wed: “is it Friday yet?”
Thu: “getting warm, isn’t it?”
Literally came here to say this. Traffic one day. Weather another. Wednesday I’m usually like whoa hump day gotta get some extra coffee.
You gotta swap that wed and thu
Only mention the weather in the middle.
Tues - Thurs: lament the destruction of our planet and the dichotomy of dreaming an end to capitalism while being forced to actively participate in your own oppression.
In the middle: “How about the local sports team, eh?” and let the experts take over from there.
I just tell people what team I’m a fan of (Cleveland Browns) and they back away slowly with a look that combines horror and pity.
Did you see the ludicrous display last night?
The thing about Arsenal is, they always try to walk it in!
Rather not.
In the middle: mention politics and immediately regret it.
Mention unions and get fired
Shit I talk about unions all the time.
TWTh Organize a union
I WFH on Mondays and Fridays so I can ask about the weekend on Tuesdays and Thursdays, only hiding on Wednesdays.
