Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I Hear Things

I work with a group of about ten ladies. We have low (about 4 1/2 ft. high) divider walls between our desks, but we can still hear each other, and depending on where our desks are, we can see part of the group when we are sitting down.

This is what sometimes happens.

I'm sitting and usually working at my desk and most often at the computer when I hear what I think may be my name being mentioned across one of the walls. I can't tell for sure it's my name, but it could be.

Me: Is someone calling my name?

Several other voices in a whispery tone: Paula. Paula. Paula. Paula.

Me: So are you saying my name?

Others: Paula. Paula. Paula. Paula.

Me: Why are you calling my name?

Others: We're not calling your name. We're talking about something else.

Me: Well, it sure sounds like you're calling my name.

Others: You always think we're calling your name. We're just talking and you're just imagining things.

Some version of this story happens on a regular basis. We all laugh. Everyone enjoys making fun of others (me). The trouble is, I usually don't find out why they were saying my name in the first place. Sometimes I think they are referencing something I said earlier which could be good or bad as in, "Paula said Sue did it all wrong, but I think Paula is the one who doesn't know what she's talking about," or "Paula said we're going to have cake today. So where is it? Does she really know what she's talking about. Go ask the supervisor if we're having cake today and tell her Paula said we are."

Sometimes it may be better not to know the truth.

My least favorite time to hear or maybe hear my name is when someone is telling the supervisor something that I said. That brings out my "run and hide" instincts. Survival in the work place is mostly being willing to take a joke but not give out jokes that are too harsh. Work friendships can change on a dime, but usually only temporarily. Good times.

I may hear things, but at least I don't see dead people.

3 comments:

Kay Day said...

Paula said that whoosha whoosha woosha.
You should have seen when Paula whoosha whoosha.
It was Paula.

what? Huh? I didn't say anything.

Hey, now we all know who you REALLY are. I bet you aren't even a real queen, are you? What kind of queen works in a cubicle?

Your name doesn't even sound like anything else. They MUST be talking about you. Whereas my name sounds like lots of other stuff, so I always think people are calling me when really, they don't want anything to do with me.

Momstheword said...

I won't mention my name but it is such a sharp word, it cannot be mistaken for anything else. Funny, Queen, or whatever you are. Can't even imagine you being a prankster!

Robin said...

Funny post...comments from your family are funny too.

You are a great story teller!