Patience? What's that?

I love my job and the people I work with. However, just like anyone, I get annoyed sometimes. Ok, a lot of times. We are in a fairly open space and can talk “over” the walls of our cubes. Thank goodness I have walls and people can’t see the faces I make sometimes…I think that’s my only saving grace.

Anyone that knows me (and my mother) knows that I wasn't blessed with a ton of patience for other people. Even my three years in retail couldn't make a dent. I’ll admit that having a child has helped a little, but it also makes me realize that adults should know better. I have more patience for children because they don’t know. Adults do and therefore get the short end of my patience stick.

So I beg to ask…when you can’t fake nice anymore, is it better just to ignore someone? How do you politely tell them that you don’t care and just want them to leave you alone? On one hand, they are just being nice, but on the other I feel like they are invading my personal space. Where is Ethan when I need him to tell them “LEAVE ME ALONE?” Of course he would be sent to time out, but it would make me feel better. This is one of those time when the old adage “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” might not work.

One of my cube mates talks to herself (out loud) quite often. It’s just annoying; especially because she is one of those people that use 5 words when 2 will suffice. I have dropped subtle hints…head phones, talking loudly on my phone. We play a game every morning. I try to be as quiet as I can be when I come into work because the MOMENT she hears a peep at my desk, she starts talking. For the love of Pete, just let me get some coffee first.

There is someone else that works in our office who sends out emails a few times a week reminding us what a beautiful world this is and we should smile and blah blah blah. I hate these emails because they just remind me that she has time on her hands to put this crap together while I am working my tail off trying to get my work done on time. But how do I tell her “Please take me off your email list because they piss me off”? I just can’t find a way to do it nicely. Why do I have to be nice? It’s a curse.

I think they should add a course to the required curriculum in college that teaches you how to deal with people that you don’t see eye to eye with. Lord knows we could all use some help in learning how to be nice, me included.

Maybe I should start talking to myself. Then they might think I'm crazy. I could send emails filled with profanity, but that would just get me fired to. Damn it. I guess I'm just stuck since I love my job. It's like being in hell but with great hair and a killer outfit. Such is life...