A Venting Drama Friday

As a follow-up to my last entry, I'll explain "the rest of the story." So, as I said, I stopped talking to this female co-worker and I even blocked her on my IM because she likes to chit chat on it about stupid stuff while I'm trying to do my work. The very next day she starting comparing our schooling again and I flipped out and told her, "You know, I don't want to discuss this topic with you. Please go back to your desk." She of course got offended and told me to never talk to her like that again. I said "Whatever."

In short, she emailed asking me why I was frustrated. I replied and said I was definitely frustrated with her but I needed some time to cool off and that I'd reply tomorrow. I composed a rather mean email calling her a few choice words and sent it to our partner to get her opinion. She replied saying that I wasn't wrong in being upset, but she said that I should tone the email down some and she reworded a few parts. I used most of the words the partner gave me, un-capitalized the parts a I had capitalized and sent the email.

Naturally, my co-worker was ticked off and responded with long-winded rebuttals to each accusation I had made. After a few emails back and forth I decided I had better be a little nicer and told her that I was sure we would get along fine if she would keep our topics to non-offensive ones and told her a few of my imperfections to make her feel better about herself. (every so often I forwarded an email chain on to the partner I had complained to...she was out of the office with all the other partners on their annual retreat). She was happy I was going to be nice to her and I suppose the day ended on a better note.

Here is the moral of this story for all female co-workers and co-workers in general:
1) Don't compare yourself (looks etc) to other co-workers on a daily basis. It's annoying and can be offensive.
2) Don't talk about yourself and your achievements 24/7. The rest of us think we're pretty d$#% smart too and it will likely piss people off.
3) Don't constantly be IMing co-workers about non-work-related topics when they are trying to do their work. It's annoying.
4) Don't try to create division in an office where most people are trying to work as one big happy team.
5) Don't try to convince co-workers over and over again to get something they don't want. No mean NO. -- Seriously, I don't need Aflac coverage no matter how well you organized the information. I would have gone to the meeting if I wanted it.

On a happier note, I went Ice Skating at the Gallivan Center last night; It was beautiful! I love this time of the year because of all of the beautiful lights and decorations.