First Full Week in My New Cubicle

[rusty_armour]

Well, it's now been a full week since I was moved to a new cubicle at work and what a difference that move has made! I've only been moved one row over, but it's such a huge improvement! I no longer spend most of the day swearing under my breath and trying to control my temper because I'm far enough from the co-worker I despise for it not to be a problem anymore. I know this is going to seem like nothing, but this co-worker is constantly sniffing, snorting, coughing, blowing his nose, and muttering to himself, not to mention banging things around in his cubicle. And he does all of this quite loudly. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but, with the exception of a few glorious months, I've had to sit near this guy for over five years. I literally have reached the point where I loath him. I can't tell you the number of times I've fantasized about him meeting a horrible grisly fate. As I re-watched An American Werewolf in London a couple of weeks ago, my most recent fantasy has involved him being torn apart in some lonely village in Northern England. Anywaaaaay, this move came at just the right time because I was literally at the end of my tether.

Believe it or not, I was moved because they wanted all the IT/Production type people sitting in the same area and not because I'm completely psycho. And the fact that I was sitting with a bunch of people who aren't in my department might be another indication of why I was just a wee bit miserable in my old cubicle. As far as most of these people were concerned, I was invisible. They'd hold little meetings right outside my cubicle (sometimes blocking my entrance and exit) as if I didn't exist. The manager of this department, who I actually like, has the kind of voice that really carries. However, I can often block her out with my MP3 player, which was something I could only do about half the time with the co-worker I hate with a fiery passion. Now, the occasional cough carries over from the other row, but that’s about all I hear. Even then it’s bearable because I’m not trapped right beside him and forced to listen to everything else. Despite the amount of traffic that goes past my new cubicle, it’s practically peaceful in comparison!

Ironically, most people have felt sorry for me in my new cubicle because I used to sit by a window – a window that often made me hot in the summer because of the sun, even with the blinds down. Hell, even if the sun hadn’t been a problem, it wasn’t worth it considering my personal list of grievances. But, then, only my manager, my old boss, and the co-worker I hate (as I haven’t been subtle about my feelings) knew that I had issues. Still, my manager was afraid that I would be upset when he broke the news to me about the move. He seemed surprised that I took it so well. I managed to refrain from telling him that I would have moved years ago if he would have let me! Well, it’s probably better if he thinks I’m actually suffering and just being noble about it. In fact, I’ve let everyone who has expressed their condolences over the loss of my window think that. Well, okay, I told one colleague that I "wasn't entirely happy" in my old spot (massive understatement), but that's the only hint I've dropped. Mostly, I've just told people that a change is as good as a rest and have left it at that.

Wow I've bitched a lot! This was meant to be a post celebrating the fact that I'm in a new cubicle and might be able to save what little is left of my sanity. Oh, and hearing as I haven't had to crank up the volume as much on my MP3 player. I probably had some other point to make, but it must have gotten lost in all the griping. *g*

Comments

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

Still, my manager was afraid that I would be upset when he broke the news to me about the move. He seemed surprised that I took it so well.
So would my boss be after I had hugged him so tight he turned blue. *G* Seriously though - congrats on the new cubicle! At my work we have an open plan setting which can be a real pain when you're editing - mp3 players really are a blessing at times. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

LOL! Thanks, radiogaga80! I'm pretty sure that if I tried to hug my manager, he'd faint! I mean, there are days when he won't even make eye contact with me in the hall! *g* Anywaaaaay, it's nice that someone understands what it's like to do any kind of editing in an open plan setting. :-) It's especially fun when I'm reading a judgment that's in French and there's all this noise going on around me. Thank Herne for MP3 players!

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

I really giggled at this. I totally sympathise with you. I'm in an open plan office but there are certain things that bug me. There are approx 25 of us in a smallish office. I get annoyed by the weirdest things-mostly the way people speak. One of my team leaders says "I'm not being funny, but.." all the time and another one says err before her name everytime she rings someone (which is a lot because we are in affect a medical call centre)and another one hisses her s's. It's funny the things you notice and once noticed, you're doomed!!

I'm happy you've finally managed to escape :O)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, boobamiaow! I was afraid that people might want to de-friend me after reading this, so I'm happy it gave you a giggle! :-) It's also good to know that I'm not the only one who gets annoyed by certain noises. My parents claim it's because I'm oversensitive to these things, but if you hear the same thing day in and day out (like that co-worker of yours who says "err" before her name when making a phone call), it is going to start to grate on your nerves! Unfortunately, you're absolutely right: once you notice these things, you're doomed! *g*

[avictoriangirl]

Yay for you! Glad you got out of that old cubicle before committing murder! LOL I can't say as I would have blamed you. As a receptionist sitting out in the open I get more than my fair share of putting up with everyone that comes by. ;)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly, avictoriangirl! :-) Considering that I'm not a receptionist, I really don't have anything to complain about, but this guy just annoys the hell out of me. As you say, it's a good thing I got out of that old cubicle before committing murder. *g*

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised you're still sane. Noisy people drive me crazy. A former colleague of mine did everything loudly. She got on my nerves so much. I found out after she retired that my colleagues had also found her behaviour oppressive. I think being loud is aggressive behaviour and imposes on other people's personal and mental space.

As for sniffing and stuff, that drives me nuts too. I'm a librarian and the students in our reading room are constantly sniffing and snorting. We had a student once who constantly chewed gum and kept on making cracking sounds with it. I jumped every time. When she wanted help, I muttered something about not being able to think when she chewed gum at me and that kept her quiet for a little bit.

So, lots of sympathy and enjoy your new space.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised you're still sane. Noisy people drive me crazy. A former colleague of mine did everything loudly. She got on my nerves so much. I found out after she retired that my colleagues had also found her behaviour oppressive. I think being loud is aggressive behaviour and imposes on other people's personal and mental space.

Well, my sanity might be a matter for debate. *g* It's nice to know that I'm not alone in the "noisy people drive me crazy" department. I'm also happy to hear that your other colleagues found that loud woman oppressive. Like you, I think being loud is a form of aggressive behaviour and that it does impose on other people's personal and mental space.

As for sniffing and stuff, that drives me nuts too. I'm a librarian and the students in our reading room are constantly sniffing and snorting. We had a student once who constantly chewed gum and kept on making cracking sounds with it. I jumped every time. When she wanted help, I muttered something about not being able to think when she chewed gum at me and that kept her quiet for a little bit.

I would imagine that such sounds would seem really loud in a library -- an environment that is usually very quiet. And, depending on the size of the library, such sounds might seem even louder. I think I'm often a bit on the nervous side, so I'm sure the sound that student made might have caused me to jump too.

So, lots of sympathy and enjoy your new space.

Thanks, karen9! I'm sure I will enjoy it! :-)

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

That's great. I'm glad you're having a nicer time at work now.
And it's not bitching, it's debriefing. It's a very important therapeutic tool. ;)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, tazzles! Yes, things are nicer in the new cubicle! :-)

It's very kind of you to describe my post as "debriefing" and not "bitching". I'm sure "debriefing" is an important therapeutic tool. It's certainly cheaper than going into therapy. *g*

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

I am soooo glad I don't work in an open-plan office. I share a lovely sunny southfacing office with one other person and over the years I've been pretty lucky about my room-mate. And I sit with my back to the wall so no one can see my computer screen.

It's one of the reasons I stay at my job!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I think if I worked in a lovely sunny southfacing office with a computer screen no one else can see, I'd be reluctant to leave my job too! I'm glad you don't have to endure the horrors of an open-plan office! :-)

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Oh Rusty, you brought back so many memories of bad open-office spaces. They are supposed to foster teamwork; but so many of us who do solitary work (like editing, etc.) get stuck out in the open when we need to be able to concentrate. I hate open offices with a passion.

Does your office have a policy of no radios? The person I sat beside played a radio all the time. She never turned it off and it drove me nuts. It wouldn't have bothered me if she had used headphones.

When we moved to larger quarters, my boss tried to accommodate my need for quiet by placing my cubicle apart from everyone else. He was concerned that I wouldn't feel part of the team. (My job was only marginally related to the team anyway, so it didn't matter.) There were two major issues with the new location. While I was separate, my cubicle was completely open to a large space where people congregated, the elevators, and an open kitchen (sounds echoed). Also, I was in direct line-of-sight from my bosses office (and others). I eventually got an extra divider to help with that, just before I got laid off with 22 other people. I missed the pay cheque; but not the job. (2001 was not a good year.)

My current situation is better. My office is at one end of a small retail computer store so I can see when people come in. I am in a corner with an L-shaped desk and a table for tech work completing a U. The bonus is that I have a window on each of the two walls and nobody sits near me. My computer is shielded from everyone's view. I am partially-shielded by a five-drawer filing cabinet. That's about all I can do because I am the one who greets customers so the "real" tech can focus on fixing computers. It helps to be one of the owners. The funny thing is that I don't mind the customers. We're in a small town, so everyone is friendly.

You are not bitching. You are revealing things that help us know we are not alone, and sometimes make us grateful for the changes we've experienced.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm sorry I brought back bed memories, though it sounds like your current work situation is a lot better. :-) Unfortunately, the open concept isn't great when you're trying to do solitary work -- not if you're beside the sales department or a manager who holds mini meetings with her staff outside of her cubicle. Still, I haven't had to sit beside anyone playing a radio. I don't remember reading any rules about them, but I'm guessing they aren't allowed or, at least, encouraged.

Anyway, I'm glad you're in a better space now and have some power as one of the store owners. :-) It's also kind of you not to think of this post as bitching. I think I assumed at the time that someone would accuse me of whining, so I'm relieved that my entry is helping people to know that they're not alone and/or be grateful for the changes they've experienced. :-)

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I brought back bed memories...

Bed memories are front and centre in my life. lol

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

LOL! Well, that's certainly one of my more colourful Freudian slips! *VBG*

[bakerybard.livejournal.com]

oh, fun times in cubicles! A couple of months ago, the guy who talked REALLY LOUD on the phone to his trainer (he runs marathons for fun), his nutritionist, the Ontario Wine Society, clients of his dad's real estate business, etc, retired. He'd been counting down to his retirement for at least 8 years. So had we.

If I haven't directed you to these before, you really should check out http://members.optusnet.com.au/white_gold/ and its sequel, http://blunt-trauma.blogspot.com/. (I've totally forgotten how to do links properly, but they're entitled Enter the Cow-orker, and Blunt Trauma, respectively.)

I can sometimes get away with wearing my ipod in my cubicle, except that sometimes my manager (who is across the hall) likes to yell for me from his desk. (which is fine, because he's the sort of manager that doesn't take it badly when I stay at my desk and yell back, "wha-at?" before schlepping myself the whole five feet to his office. Or when I get up and stand in his doorway and say, "you bellowed?" Policy people. We're all a little nuts...)

Congrats on the new digs!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, bakerybard! :-) I'm really happy to hear that Mr. REALLY LOUD retired! I'm sure everyone was ecstatic when he left for good!

I actually hadn't seen the Enter the Cow-order and Blunt Trauma blogs, but they certainly make me feel a lot better about my old situation! In fact, I'm beginning to wonder why I complained in the first place... *g*

I'm glad you have a good relationship with your manager, even if he does yell for you from his desk and it means you can't always wear your ipod. Still, it's nice that you can give him a bit of attitude. ;-)

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you could move! That sounds horrible! I might kiss my office door when I get into work tomorrow! My only real complaint is that the person in the office across from me quite often eats in her office rather than down in the kitchen. I don't much like the smells. She also eats so loudly at times that I have closed my door (which I usually only do when I'm on the phone or really need to focus). The weird thing is she has perfectly lovely table manners when she eats in the kitchen.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should definitely kiss your office door if you haven't done so already! *g* Having to smell someone else's meal is a bit of pet peeve of mine as well, especially if they've brought back a hamburger and fries and it's at least half an hour until I can eat my own lunch! It also sucks if you're trying to stick to a healthier diet and you've brought in a whole wheat bagel and some yogurt. I think if you're going to eat fast food, you should either eat it in the lunch room or the place where you bought it. I don't think it's fair bringing it back to your desk. The same thing goes for meals you've reheated from home that have a strong smell. Well, obviously you couldn't take it to a restaurant (or grocery store), but you could still stick to the lunch room. ;-)