Valuable Insights Gleaned from Cubicle Challenges
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Chapter 1: The Cubicle Chronicles
My first office experience was nothing short of a horror story! I took on an administrative role where I was tasked with supporting seven different consultants, all while sharing a cubicle with a rather difficult co-worker. Let’s call her "Maggie." Dealing with all those bosses was a walk in the park compared to navigating the quirks of my cubicle mate.
Maggie was quite the character. She had an inflated sense of self-worth and often boasted, “When I walk down the aisle in white someday, I won’t be a hypocrite like those other brides who aren’t as PURE as I am!” Mind you, she was nearing forty and still living at home, making her self-righteous claims seem a bit misplaced.
One day, I witnessed Maggie's true colors when she discreetly bought a birthday card for one of the bosses she used to report to, right in front of me. You’d think she’d include me, given that we shared a workspace and he sat just across from us. But no! She presented the card to him, completely ignoring me. It was a classic case of awkwardness, and honestly, she came off as quite inconsiderate—something she had well earned.
From that moment on, I made it a point to check with my colleagues about signing birthday cards whenever I learned of an upcoming celebration. Sometimes, you need a magnifying glass to read the fine print of those sentiments, but it’s a lesson I owe to Maggie!
An even more valuable lesson was inspired by a quote from Lewis Carroll: say what you mean and mean what you say, but do so with kindness.
Maggie once confided that the following week marked the anniversary of her mother’s death. I expressed my condolences, and she thanked me. However, she brought it up again the next day, and then a couple of days later, emphasizing it was on a Wednesday. Taking the hint, I jotted a reminder on my calendar to acknowledge her on that day.
When Wednesday arrived, I found a quiet moment to say, “I just wanted to acknowledge that you shared today was the anniversary of your mother’s passing…” But she cut me off, her tone accusatory. “I don’t want to talk about it!!!”
I was left speechless, frozen in disbelief. She had shared the details with me multiple times, yet reacted defensively when I offered my support. I understand that grief is complex, but if you bring something up repeatedly, please don’t lash out when someone shows empathy!
This was another crucial lesson for me. I now reflect on whether I am merely venting or genuinely seeking support before speaking to others. If someone follows through on my cues and I’m not in the mood to engage, I simply chuckle to myself and remember not to turn their good intentions into an unwarranted reprimand!
Thank you to Bad Form's brilliant editor, Gerald Sturgill, for your insights!