Thursday, May 18, 2006

The World of Office Life

No longer unemployed and travelling, highlights of my life include drama at the workplace. . .

The recycling company we stopped using three weeks ago appeared at our doorstep on time and without being beckoned. We used to call them to do a pick-up when the recycling bins overflow and they give us false hope that they will arrive. They only do so after a few days. When they come, they have big bins filled with heavy items knocking against the walls and leaving shredded paper along the stairs. One of the pick-up guys arrives this morning with clear plastic bags, and leaves the blue bins downstairs.

After a speechless moment, I utter: "We already called to stop the service."
"Oh good" (!??) On his face is a big relaxed grin.
"Good because you don't have to lug the heavy bags up and down the stairs or good because you are losing our business?"
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. We've got lots of business." (beat his head)
"Didn't they tell you not to come here anymore?"
"You were on our list today."
"Well - that's good that you came." (Because they never used to come even when we were on their list)

I bet they received training to make a great impression after a customer drops them, and to emphasize that it's "good" we left the company.

But wait - there was a romantic part too. A woman at the office had commented in the past that this particular man was good looking. But now she blatantly denies this. Enough office intrigue, back to work.