The Grouchies

With winter finally behind us (I hope), and more sunshine in front of us I hope that the weather can eliminate some of the grouchies. I have dealt with some of the rudest people in the past few months, and I often wonder if they are getting enough vitamin D and calcium which stave off depression or seasonal affective disorder. Some of the grouchiest people I have dealt with are service workers who act as though you are impinging on their very, very important work, or that they are doing you a huge favor by answering the phone and speaking to you. Blah. If they're in a funk and feel grouchy I suggest they don't answer the phone. Don't talk to me. Or anybody.

As a teacher, I usually can handle such annoying people by making a calming statement, cracking a joke to ease the tension, or privately (but nicely) putting that person in his or her place. However I have found that when dealing with people in the service profession, it works best to end the conversation quickly and say "thank you" for their help without missing a beat. They usually sound puzzled. Good. Getting off the phone saves my sanity, prevents them from doing any more damage, and prevents me from reaching into my tool box of extremely biting zingers to blast into the phone. And I really don't want to use those gems too frequently--particularly if I have to deal with those people on a regular basis.

I guess I expect my day to be filled with issues. If a day goes considerably well without too many problems I consider it a gift--not a right. And when I have a grouchy day (which is rare), I just let people know that "it's not a four star day" for me, but I don't take it out on them (at least knowingly!)

All I can say is . . . get over it.

Work . . .

Why do we work so hard in the US? In most European countries, people have around six weeks of vacation time, but, here, we feel guilty if we take one. I feel guilty if I take a vacation day or a personal day because I know that it stresses everyone out who has to cover for me.

Shortly before the day(s) off, I make sure everything is perfectly organized, lesson plans are impeccably designed, and I actually clean off my desk. Then I try to avoid the "coverees" because it’s agonizing to see their forced smiles and pained looks as they say, "Everything will be okay. I’m fine. Really." HA. I don’t believe them!

I always get a nagging feeling when I return back to my classroom that the previous day was sheer pandemonium. It’s as though a big cloud of bad karma is still hovering in the air. After my guilt-ridden day off, I see the "coverees" in the halls looking slightly rumpled and exhausted, nodding their heads saying, "I don’t know how you do it." Neither do I. I need a vacation.

Thank goodness for understanding, but slightly tortured coworkers.

This is my dream vacation . . .

http://www.terragalleria.com/europe/italy/amalfi-coast/amalfi-coast.html

Ahh . . . where I'd like to be right now . . .