Introvert? Sycamore?! That's just crazy talk!

elSicomoro · 07-19-2002, 08:11 PM

A coworker Tuesday either paid me the highest compliment, or unwittingly told a funny joke.

As we're standing outside on break, she remarks, "You're so quiet. You never say anything."

I couldn't help but laugh...me? Quiet? Hah! What a crock.

As a whole, I am generally outgoing at a job, and like to make crack remarks and keep things light. That has not been the case at my current job.

(Incidentally, things have calmed considerably at my job. All but 3 temps were let go, including the moron one that made my life miserable. I also have very little contact with my boss now, so the last 3 weeks have been incredibly peaceful. Still don't like it, but it's tolerable...boring, if anything.)

It could be a combination of factors. I DID get in trouble for "talking too much" at my last job, even though I don't feel I talked anymore than others. In addition, this current company (or at least the manager that represents it to me) made a horribly bad impression on me from day one. The people at my job all socialize and kid around...but they don't seem to like temps. They FINALLY seem to be warming up to us...after 6 weeks.

As a whole, while I am outgoing, I am generally a rather private person. Yeah, that may sound a bit crazy. I do like to share things here, with the hope that you folks may take something away from it, or offer me new insight. I think I speak rather openly here, yet I don't feel like I'm compromising my privacy. The way I see it, I don't fake things here on the Cellar, yet the almost 2000 postings I have made thus far really only represent a part of who I am. I may think I know some of you really well, but in reality, I really don't. And vice versa. Imagine if we had some of our big discussions (Palestine, guns) in person...

But anyway...back to the work deal. I think I finally have a "good temp attitude" down. I'm there to help out. I'm as important as your core employees, but you may not think so. That's alright...I'll let you revel in your fantasy world. When it ends, it ends. If I find something better before you can cut the string, then I'll do it. Until separation comes, just give me some work, let me do it, shut the fuck up, and leave me alone. That may sound a bit negative, but I find it to be incredibly positive, and it allows me to keep a level-headed perspective about things.

In applying this to my current job, it's like this: You may not like me, and I don't like you. But, you need me right now to process your loan sales, transfers, and cancellations. So, why don't you give me a pile of them to do, allow me to ask questions when necessary, let me go back to my corner cubicle to do them, give me more when I'm done, and leave me the fuck alone. ¿Entiéndame? Bien.

So, if folks want to think I'm the quiet guy that does his work and causes no problems, I'm cool with that. It certainly beats being branded a shit-disturber, though that can be fun as well.

07-19-2002, 08:28 PM

Funny you mention it. Jenni's one word to describe you was "loud".

Undertoad · 07-19-2002, 08:56 PM

Imagine if we did a big topic in person? It wouldn't happen for me; in person, I would just sit there and quietly take in everyone else's opinion. If asked, I'd give my exact opinion, regardless of how contrary it might be. When pressed for reasons why I felt a particular way, I'd just say I didn't care to defend my thoughts. It makes for quite awkward conversation!

My buddy Ken says I should do Toastmasters (tm) in order to be better prepared to compose my thoughts in a live forum sort of atmosphere. I guess.

elSicomoro · 07-19-2002, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhamsaic
Funny you mention it. Jenni's one word to describe you was "loud".

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I AM!

Seriously though, it's one of those things that I love and loathe. Unfortunately, I'm not always conscious of how loud I am to others...my voice carries a bit too much sometimes.

On the other hand, when Sycamore (the band) started out, I didn't have enough money for a mic. So, I just sang incredibly loud. We were practicing in my buddy's garage one day, and it lasted all of 15-20 minutes before his dad broke it up. Why? I was screaming too loud. He was inside the house, with the TV on and windows closed; we were in a detached garage, about 150-200 feet away from him.

juju · 07-19-2002, 10:55 PM

I have decent social skills, but they developed long, long after my bbs writing skills developed. I learned to communicate online before I learned to communicate in person.

But I eventually did learn to express myself in person. Most of this resulted from my beginning to understand people more. See, I'm basically just your average geek, but there is hardly anyone like me in Arkansas. And before the Internet bubble, geeks were neither admired nor powerful. So, if you can't identify with anyone around you, how in the hell are you supposed to communicate with them? So I was very shy. People's reaction when I opened my mouth taught me to not open my mouth if I could help it.

Anyway, i'm quite proud of the transformation i've made. But i'm still much better at debating topics online. I'd probably lose any serious debate in person.

Sycamore, I'm the same way when I start a new job. The first three months, i'm very quiet. I generally take the time to take measure of the atmosphere and make sure I understand where everyone's at. Only then do i start getting really vocal. I think it's smarter that way. Less chance of accidentally offending people that way.

MaggieL · 07-20-2002, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad

My buddy Ken says I should do Toastmasters (tm) in order to be better prepared to compose my thoughts in a live forum sort of atmosphere. I guess.

I've had some Toastmaster's-type public speaking training. I get the impression Ken's made it a way of life, though.

elSicomoro · 07-23-2002, 08:35 PM

I was just looking at their site...sounds interesting enough. Plus UT, you could get your very own Toastmasters Visa card.

pjshimmer · 08-17-2002, 03:59 PM

Quote:

As a whole, while I am outgoing, I am generally a rather private person

I think that sounds about right, from what I know of you. =)

07-19-2002, 08:11 PM	#1
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Introvert? Sycamore?! That's just crazy talk! A coworker Tuesday either paid me the highest compliment, or unwittingly told a funny joke. As we're standing outside on break, she remarks, "You're so quiet. You never say anything." I couldn't help but laugh...me? Quiet? Hah! What a crock. As a whole, I am generally outgoing at a job, and like to make crack remarks and keep things light. That has not been the case at my current job. (Incidentally, things have calmed considerably at my job. All but 3 temps were let go, including the moron one that made my life miserable. I also have very little contact with my boss now, so the last 3 weeks have been incredibly peaceful. Still don't like it, but it's tolerable...boring, if anything.) It could be a combination of factors. I DID get in trouble for "talking too much" at my last job, even though I don't feel I talked anymore than others. In addition, this current company (or at least the manager that represents it to me) made a horribly bad impression on me from day one. The people at my job all socialize and kid around...but they don't seem to like temps. They FINALLY seem to be warming up to us...after 6 weeks. As a whole, while I am outgoing, I am generally a rather private person. Yeah, that may sound a bit crazy. I do like to share things here, with the hope that you folks may take something away from it, or offer me new insight. I think I speak rather openly here, yet I don't feel like I'm compromising my privacy. The way I see it, I don't fake things here on the Cellar, yet the almost 2000 postings I have made thus far really only represent a part of who I am. I may think I know some of you really well, but in reality, I really don't. And vice versa. Imagine if we had some of our big discussions (Palestine, guns) in person... But anyway...back to the work deal. I think I finally have a "good temp attitude" down. I'm there to help out. I'm as important as your core employees, but you may not think so. That's alright...I'll let you revel in your fantasy world. When it ends, it ends. If I find something better before you can cut the string, then I'll do it. Until separation comes, just give me some work, let me do it, shut the fuck up, and leave me alone. That may sound a bit negative, but I find it to be incredibly positive, and it allows me to keep a level-headed perspective about things. In applying this to my current job, it's like this: You may not like me, and I don't like you. But, you need me right now to process your loan sales, transfers, and cancellations. So, why don't you give me a pile of them to do, allow me to ask questions when necessary, let me go back to my corner cubicle to do them, give me more when I'm done, and leave me the fuck alone. ¿Entiéndame? Bien. So, if folks want to think I'm the quiet guy that does his work and causes no problems, I'm cool with that. It certainly beats being branded a shit-disturber, though that can be fun as well.

07-19-2002, 10:55 PM	#5
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	I have decent social skills, but they developed long, long after my bbs writing skills developed. I learned to communicate online before I learned to communicate in person. But I eventually did learn to express myself in person. Most of this resulted from my beginning to understand people more. See, I'm basically just your average geek, but there is hardly anyone like me in Arkansas. And before the Internet bubble, geeks were neither admired nor powerful. So, if you can't identify with anyone around you, how in the hell are you supposed to communicate with them? So I was very shy. People's reaction when I opened my mouth taught me to not open my mouth if I could help it. Anyway, i'm quite proud of the transformation i've made. But i'm still much better at debating topics online. I'd probably lose any serious debate in person. Sycamore, I'm the same way when I start a new job. The first three months, i'm very quiet. I generally take the time to take measure of the atmosphere and make sure I understand where everyone's at. Only then do i start getting really vocal. I think it's smarter that way. Less chance of accidentally offending people that way. Last edited by juju; 07-19-2002 at 11:01 PM.

07-19-2002, 08:28 PM	#2
dave Guest Posts: n/a	Funny you mention it. Jenni's one word to describe you was "loud".

07-19-2002, 08:56 PM	#3
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Imagine if we did a big topic in person? It wouldn't happen for me; in person, I would just sit there and quietly take in everyone else's opinion. If asked, I'd give my exact opinion, regardless of how contrary it might be. When pressed for reasons why I felt a particular way, I'd just say I didn't care to defend my thoughts. It makes for quite awkward conversation! My buddy Ken says I should do Toastmasters (tm) in order to be better prepared to compose my thoughts in a live forum sort of atmosphere. I guess.

07-23-2002, 08:35 PM	#7
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I was just looking at their site...sounds interesting enough. Plus UT, you could get your very own Toastmasters Visa card.

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