I’m sat in the sales office at work at present and the thing that’s occurred to me more than anything is that for the majority of the time it’s the most vapid and tiresome of atmospheres. For hours on end people sit at their desks rapidly typing away without saying a word to close-by associates and colleagues. The monotony is only broken by phone calls., in which case they just talk loudly over one another to the person on the other end of the line.
Working in a kitchen invariably goes hand-in-hand with variety – you rarely find yourself doing the same thing twice and the only real regularity you encounter are the times of service. The best thing about the enviroment I work is the rapport and banter you share with people – there’s a real bonding in the process of ripping somebody to shreds in the name of a good joke.
Good times.
6 Comments
November 13, 2009 at 12:08 am
I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy some great working environments; including some where I used to look forward to going to work…. just for the craic.
It was a case of going to spend all day with your mates, and then enjoying all the piss taking, and practical jokes that a busy engineering office had to offer.
Things changed however, when I started my current job. I’m now in a small office with 5 others, two of whom own the company.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy my work, but I wish that it was a bit busier and noisier.
When I first started there, I was all for looking round for alternative employment after a couple of days of sitting in silence. Things improved though, as I settled in and started to liven the buggers up a bit.
To be honest, I think everyone was relieved that I’d turned up to lighten the mood. We now have more of laugh, and the atmosphere isn’t so stifling.
My philosophy has always been that we spend too much of our life at work to be miserable while we’re there. Just because we’re laughing and smiling doesn’t mean we’re not being productive.
November 13, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Some researchers suggest that a happy chatty work environments produce more content and productive staff.
I certainly tried to foster such an ambience when consultant on a psychy ward, but the staff room had to be someway from the residents!
November 13, 2009 at 8:31 pm
PS Is the clock still on BST?
November 14, 2009 at 4:03 am
Couldn’t agree more. Nothing kills my cerebral erection faster than a doll office environment.
Which is one of the reasons I love working in Advertising so much. People are genuinely happy if I come to work with clothes on (i.e. not naked), I can bring my dog and cuss all day long. I can also send and receive porn emails around the office, which is probably the most joy I can have between 9-5 on a weekday.
To good kitchens and the men / women who run them,
Frankelstache
November 14, 2009 at 5:46 pm
You lucky bugger….
I’d love to work in advertising – the whole thing fascinates me.
November 14, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Have to admit I’m the same – I’d love to have a job in advertising as I’m sure each day is finished by doing coke off a naked hooker.