The old ladies are talking about me

I HATE MY JOB

Published on September 1, 2004 By Angloesque In Blogging

Dear Madame X and Madame Y,

Yes. I *can* hear you when you talk about me. The fact that my cubicle is about five feet from yours should give you some kind of clue. The fact that you always glance over guiltily at me is a sign. The fact that I'm still speaking to you is a miracle.

Yes. I am a temp. *gasp* Only losers are temps, right? Must be. I know I went to college for five years to get two degrees to work in your office where, according to your last conversation, I am not qualified to answer the phone and thus must do filing.

The fact is, Madames, that I am more educated than you. The fact is that you're working because your worthless husbands are gambling away their social security checks and retirement funds at the racetrack. (I told you, I can hear you.) The fact is that you're nearing the end of your working days, and I'm just beginning mine. The fact is that your house is paid for; my rent is not.

So please, next time you talk about me, do it around the corner. Lower your voices. Don't speculate. I am none of the following things I've heard you say (took you ten minutes to get around to what I can sum up in less than 10 words):

a) inept

pretty but dumb
c) bad with money, ergo the temp job
d) unable to answer the phone
e) cheerful (you may think so, but I'm really not)

I am, however

a) bad at filing. It's miserable. You try it.

long lunch-breaker. But you don't know how long I stay at work after you leave at the stroke of 4:59:59.
c) a temp who was expected to know everything about the office in two hours. It's been just over a week and now I catch things you don't, I help you with your computer disabilities, and I smile even though I hate my job, I hate my goddammed job but it's all I have until H and I are able to move somewhere where he can get work, too.

Until then, Madames, shut up, piss off, and go to hell.

Love,

A.

Comments (Page 1)

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 02, 2004

Anglo,

I feel for you. Sucks to work a lousy job. Just remind yourself it's only for a season.

historyishere

on Sep 02, 2004

Have you ever seen the show Dead Like Me Anglo?

Angloesque

on Sep 02, 2004

Have you ever seen the show Dead Like Me Anglo?

No, what is it?

(Thanks, Gideon.)

Ravenblack

on Sep 02, 2004

Annoying people.

There's always some frantic whispering going on in some of the cubicles in my office too. It's why I prefer to stay in the lab. You know they are talking about you when you walk by and they stop abruptly, shuffling paper about, making it look like they are discussing about work. pfft.

historyishere

on Sep 02, 2004

Dead Like Me is a show about a woman who gets killed in a freak accident and ends up becoming a grim reaper... but since that job doesn't pay anything, she has to work in a temp agency as a day job to make ends meet, even though she hates it there and dislikes most of her coworkers.

The Dead Like Me Site

Texas Wahine

on Sep 02, 2004

I feel for you . . . sometimes when my kids think I am not listening, they whisper things about me. They say that:
a) I couldn't iron a shirt to save my life

I must be bad with money since I haven't bought them a toy in over 2 weeks
c) My pants are looking a little tight and I should lay off the Chips Ahoy
d) They can tell I'm not qualified for this job by the confused look of panic on my face
. . . he he he . . .

Seriously, though. Bless your heart. That has to suck . . . but at least you're not letting the things they are saying change your perception of yourself. Best wishes.

Muggaz

on Sep 02, 2004

This was an awesome article!

I used to do some temping straight out fo school, and temp agencies are used at places like this because the current staff are so slack and disenchanted, when a temp comes in, the can get double the work done in half the time!

This leaves the regulars disgruntled, because the amount of work the temp does - i.e. you or me, inadvertantly makes them look very bad!!! They are only baggging you out because they are jealous of your obvious skills and prospects!!! it all happened to me as well!!!

You know the funny thing? when you leave, these old hags will want to be your best friend, and beg you to stay, because you have decreased their workload!!!

Good luck!!!

BAM!!!

Angloesque

on Sep 02, 2004

historyishere-- "Dead like me" sounds really interesting. I wish we had cable--will have to catch that sometime. Thanks for the link.

kingbee

on Sep 02, 2004

lessee here...

1. youre still there after theyre gone for the day
2. you know something about computers
3. they dont know much about computers

heheheh sounds like a perfect opportunity to 'help' fill up some of the spare time they're currently using for uncharitable speculation regarding co-workers

LadyCleve

on Sep 02, 2004

sounds like a perfect opportunity to 'help' fill up some of the spare time they're currently using for uncharitable speculation regarding co-workers

Wonderful idea, kingbee.

I also worked as a temp, in several positions, for three years or so (different locations). Mostly because my husband is military, we weren't sure how long we would be there, and alot of the employers I encountered didn't want to hire a military spouse because we're not going to be there long. They didn't always come out and say it that way, but you get the picture when their eyes glaze over as soon as you answer yes to whether or not your husband is in the military.

Anyway, best of luck, enjoy the job as best you can, even if all you can enjoy is planning what to do to their computers after they leave!

Angloesque

on Sep 02, 2004

I am an Excel Goddess.

Today I was given an assignment; I turned it into a piece of art, with graphs, multiple spreadsheets, pretty colors and various and sundry dotted lines, and--AND--I found several errors in the data Boss gave me and corrected it while still making it appear to be my fault, even though we both knew she was the one who put that data together.

Overheard Boss tell her boss (UberBoss) that she hoped whoever they hire is like me.

Really hate my job, but if all goes as it has so far, I have a spectacular set of references, AND H got an interview today. It's a smiley sort of end to the day.

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 02, 2004

good show, anglo.

Meanwhile, after two weeks' unemployment, my prospects are looking up as well (ok, ok, so I may be working in a brothel...is that so wrong? lol)...so, here's to being gainfully employed!

Angloesque

on Sep 02, 2004

Hear hear! (or is it here here?)

-A.

Sally jacobs

on Sep 02, 2004

Hehe, this was a fab article! You go girl! People are always so brave when they think you can't hear them. Bless them ladies, bitching about you is probably the highlight of their day!

SSG Geezer

on Sep 02, 2004

Look to chiprj's blog on practical jokes at work to fix their computers up. He heh

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