Rules To Live By
Or not… I wonder sometimes why it’s so difficult for some people to follow a few simple rules. Even if these rules are changes to what you’re used to. To me, no calls unless it’s an emergency means, no calls unless there is a real emergency. My family and friends know not to call me while I’m at work, unless it really is an emergency and I need to do something or go somewhere. They won’t call for a friendly chit chat while I’m supposed to be working, although it happens sometimes when I’m on a break (and at the point it’s allowed) but even than, it’s rare. For others though, it seems they have to call for chit chat all the time, even if the people are only working a few hours a day. They can’t seem to understand that phone calls during work means you have to work longer as it won’t get the work done! It’s annoying sometimes, especially when you’re depending on those people to do their work so you can finish yours before you go home.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my colleagues, they are a lot of fun (most of the time) but at times it would be nice if they saw the bigger picture.
Another (new) rule they are bothered by a little, or at least some of them, is the dress code. We’re supposed to be business casual these days. And even though I think that dark colour jeans with a nice top and good shoes can be very business casual, a pair of jeans (sometimes with holes or stains), a plain shirt and a type of flip flops aren’t at all business casual. To me, you represent a company to customers that come by but also the people who see you standing outside the building during a break and a look that screams “I just came back from holiday” doesn’t seem very representative to me.
It’s understandable that not all can afford expensive new clothes, but mix and match with what you have to make at least a business-like look doesn’t have to be hard. For myself, I don’t mind wearing a pair of slacks instead of jeans with a blouse or a nice top. I can understand others aren’t like me and prefer jeans. But at least make it look like you’re at work and not at the camp site.
I just had to get this off my chest. It might not sound like a big deal to some of you, but I take my work seriously, it’s my living, what pays my rent and puts food on my table, so I do it with the rules that are presented to me. Why others can’t see that or don’t want to see that, I’ll never understand…
4 Comments on "Rules To Live By"
i agree with you. i too hate when someone calls me while i’m having classes.
if someone knows that a specific time you’re in a class they shouldnd’t call you, unless it’s an emergency.
as for the dress code… i believe you should do your best effort to look professional, unless you work as a landscaper or something that will translate in stained clothes. other than that, you should look like you took time to look presentable because in the end that means you care about the clients and i believe they will notice that.
Constantly ringing phones while you’re working would be annoying.
Dress-code now seems very much dependent on what your company is rather than before when it was more about simply being in a company meaning you dress up. I went to a graphic studio some time ago where it was very casual, and that suited the atmosphere and even added to the feeling that a lot of inspiration filled the place. An accountants office though would give off bad vibes if it were like that.
I find that even for someone unfashionable like myself it is easey enough to look presentable when need be .
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Oh, I completely agree. I am really adamant about dress codes. I went to a Catholic high school and wore a uniform for 6 years and I guess it is just ingrained in my memory to follow rules and dress codes. It really annoys me when people don’t because they represent the rest of us and make a bad impression.
As for the phone thing, I completely understand. I am glad I don’t work in an office setting so I can just turn my cell off when I am working.