Monday, May 12, 2008

This is neither the time nor the place.

As many people who work for a living are aware, there is a time and a place for many things. But not, as the old saying goes, for everything.

Examples of things that could be appropriate are telling a person that you have pictures to send them. The wrong time to do this is just before you are arrested for child porn.
Asking someone to help you learn your new job is fine, but not when they were also a candidate for it.
I can not think of a single time that shouting "Bob's favorite sin is sodomy!" could ever be appropriate.
Complaining that you are over worked is a common activity, but choose your audience wisely. The person you whine to may be the person cleaning up your mess from the work you are avoiding.
Mentioning that it looks like you beat your wife in that picture may seem like a funny thing to say, but this may be a touchy subject even in the best of times.
The lunch room was not intended for flashing people you just met.
When someone has just admitted to finding out they have cancer, do not ask them if that is even a real disease.

There are many personal topics that should not be brought up in the work place. The number of abortions you have payed for is one. They fact that you would have euthanized your co-workers child is another. Anything that involves a turkey baster is borderline.

The restroom at work is generally considered to be no-mans land for any discussion. I understand that you enjoy your video games. My genitals do not. They don't even care. Your informing me of the new game you are buying, in fact, frightens them greatly. So please Pigpen, when you talk to someone, look around you. If it smells of excrement, this is not a good area to keep someone occupied.

No comments: