Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Mutual Admiration Society

There's an odd type of behavior by some employees at my company that intrigues me. I call it the "Mutual Admiration Society." Basically, this is two or more employees who continually kiss each others' ass. This is not to be confused with typical ass kissing many employees do to the boss. It is also not the behavior of employees who are flirting. No, this is the most twisted display of mutual ego stroking I have ever seen. It is rampant so somehow I think I slept through the section on this in training.

Here is how it goes:

Moron A: How did that problem turn out?

Moron B: Thank you for asking. If it wasn't for you, I couldn't have handled it.

Moron A: Sure you could. I am glad I was here for you.

Moron B: You're always here for me.

Moron A: If only everyone knew the struggles we endure.

Moron B: At least we have each other.

See the pattern here? Not only is the passive-aggressive banter totally fake, it actually turns into a "us against the world" mentality. This happens on a daily basis with several groups of employees. In fact, my office is full of these people. People who don't know how to have relationships with coworkers any other way.

I have actually heard coworkers in my office say, "I love you" to each other. This is a professional HR environment? While I don't care if anyone has a close relationship, there is a line at work. Additionally, all of this bantering is bullshit. I cannot think of one person who is a part of a mutual admiration society who wouldn't stab the other in the back if it suited them.

This is what happens when you work in a predominately female field.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thank God blogs are free. You know how much this therapy would cost at a shrink's office?