NUSRAT JAHAN
Colleagues do not always come as sweet friends with chocolate chips and sprinkles. Sometimes they can be annoying with their bad habits and constant competitiveness. However, we are usually quick to judge others but we often fail to judge ourselves. Think about it- every office has that one annoying employee that no one likes; are you that person?
Here is a checklist you need to cross out to make sure you are not everyone’s mortal enemy.
Gossiping: We have seen it in Greys Anatomy and we have seen it in Suits. Though talking about other people’s lives and knowing every detail about the next scandal or the happening-couple is fun, gossiping about people is a crime that we are all guilty of. You know how you go “why can’t she mind her own business? Why is she talking about me?” when you hear rumors of people saying things behind your back? Well, that is probably what everyone else is saying about you if you are into gossiping. So, do not be the Bangladeshi gossip girl, okay? It is khaet and you know it.
Bragging: Bangladeshis love to brag. We love boasting about anything and everything, whether it is about how cute our aunt’s cousin’s aunt’s sister’s daughter’s baby is, or how well we cook that one particular dish (probably the only thing we know how to cook). Stop doing that! Everyone gets it when you say it once but saying it over and over again is indeed very irksome.
Going on about how much you hate your job: There was a person who could not shut up about how much he hated his job, in the last place I worked at. One day all of the employees got sick of his complaining and literally yelled in unison “So quit right now!” Bosses are usually very observant, and if they ever catch you announcing your hate, they will not hesitate to replace you with that box-of-sunshine waiting to be hired.
Taking all the credit: Sometimes, you might be asked to build a team project, and sometimes you might need the help of a colleague to finish your work. Never steal someone else’s pat-on-the-back by saying it was all you. Give other people credit where they deserve it. This does not only go for serious work, it also goes for normal things. Yours truly hates it when other people steal her jokes.
Being loud: An office is supposed to be a quiet yet hectic environment. Everyone is busy trying to concentrate on something and it is not nice to disrupt their train of thought with your loud voice.
Having emotional breakdowns: You are allowed to be sad and enraged but it is good to maintain your civility at the office. Bangladeshis love to scream and resort to vulgar name-calling, but we all know that is not the way to handle a situation. If you cannot be polite then there is really no difference between you and that rickshaw driver stuck in traffic.