No matter where I end up in my career, I would like it to be next to someone who does not mind when conversations occur in their general vicinity.
Donna is a legal secretary who sits ten feet (possibly less) away from me. She works for one of the managing partners. God must really hate her to position someone like myself so close to her. Other people in the office seem to flock to me to talk about nonsense. Never anything important regarding a case or along those lines, but more so "My husband and I went on a vacation and it was lovely" or "This guy won't call me back but I think I am in love with him" or "What does this skin rash look like to you".
While Donna loves to talk about her feline companion and the process of neutering to anyone who shows the slightest of interest, she does not look kindly upon those who hold conversations that do not include her. She will interupt curtly with a "Do you mind? I can't concentrate with all of this noise," as a co-worker is almost whispering the happenings of their weekend.
My cell phone rang today and I about sprung out of my chair, dove over my desk, and summer-saulted in mid-air to silence it as to not disturb Donna. Donna hates loud. And I hate Donna when Donna is around loud.
Did I mention Donna is a fan of matching patterned outfits? When she walks into the office, it is a wall of purple, or lillies, or whatever glorious couch material she decided to make her ensemble out of today. Every now and again I have the urge to say "Do you mind? I can't concentrate with all of this noise," while gestering to her outfit. Its visually disturbing.
But I don't.
I am sure that deep down inside, Donna is a lovely person who doesn't want to yell at everyone. Deep down inside she probably likes to sip tea while reading a lovely book on a sunny afternoon... possibly in a park. And this job is keeping her from doing so (much like its keeping me from my family and loved ones). I guess I would yell at the young college grad who thinks she knows everything, too.
But I don't.
Perhaps Donna should take notes.
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1 comment:
Maybe she is looking for a friend. You know, one who will get her away from her cats and into some new fall fashion? That is the thing with Legal Secretaries... when they enter their career as one, they stop growing. It is a dead end job. A former boss of mine (who was a legal secretary for 23 years prior to being a Secretarial Manager) highly suggested that I not take the $12k promotion to be one... She said anyone with brains should NEVER become a legal secretary.
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