Gossiped Out

Before I start this rant, I'd like you all to know that I am much happier in this job so far. My boss treats me well, and the workload is decent. Some days it's reallly busy, and some days it's dead. Either way, I always find time to get my work done on time.

However.

The older I get, the less patience I have for coworkers.

Fortunately I have had little experience with large companies over the past 10 years. I have worked for many organizations that have 15 or less employees, and although that has its downside too, it's easier to escape the trivial bullshit/red tape corporate crap that encompasses a large organization. I could go on about the differences between both, but the difference that I am the least excited about is the cliquishness that hovers over a mostly female staff base.

I don't want to talk about how fat someone looks in their jeans.
I don't want to comprise a list of 10 things that I hate about another coworker.
I don't want to attend parties just because it gets me away from my desk.
I don't feel the need to only stick with my department when at a social function.

The problem is, if I choose to not attend a function I am "antisocial."
If I don't talk about someone's fat ass, I am "religious."
If I don't sit with my department at a luncheon, I am "snobby and too good to sit with the group."

Seriously, it's completely ridiculous. I feel like I am back in grade 3. Because I refuse to participate in this bitch/gossipfest, I am looked upon as though I am up to something. I simply don't want to be guilty by association. I was actually asked by this stuuuuupid woman [seriously, one of the top stupid people I have ever met] if I was hired to report on everyone. Was I "instructed" not to hang out with them?

Yes, because in an administrative department in a hospital, they hire moles. You. Fucking. Moron.

The insecurity is deafening.

A loooong time ago I realized that I didn't enjoy socially interacting with coworkers. Ever since then, I find it one of the most painful activities I am forced to deal with. I try to avoid it like the plague - but there are some events that I need to make concessions for. I'm not trying to climb the corporate ladder, nor am I in the area of communications. There is no need for me to succumb to such painful gatherings. Besides, give me one topic that people discuss at work events other than....work. You can't do it. People all default to work-related issues and the weather. Stick a 3 inch needle in my retina. Please.

This is actually quite weird for people to hear because I LOVE to pick the brains of others usually. I am known for my crazy, personal questions, in my quest to find out what makes them tick. The difference here is that I have an interest in these people. When you spend half your day with people that you have been harvested together with, you have no choice in the matter. I hear enough about their trivial issues through the cubicles. I don't care to hear anything further.

I have actually caught a few coworkers in lies - and called them on it. They just sit there and look at me in silence. If you're going to talk shit about me, at least be clever enough to cover your ass. Again, STUPID.

I read this quote the other day.....

“Great people talk about ideas.
Average people talk about things.
Small people talk about other people.”

I mean, there are going to be times that you need to discuss someone else, but the need to cut them down with ridicule and cattiness is so disgusting to hear on a daily basis.

I can't watch Survivor, Big Brother, Gossip Girl, or any shows like that because I can't digest the backstabbing behaviour. It stresses me out.

I guess I am technically being one of them by talking about them behind their back, but I am not naming names nor making it personal.

Except for the stupid girl. She's realllllllly stupid.

And yes, I realize I am going to hell for that.