The Matching Girls

Maybe it's not the most creative nickname I've given coworkers, but the name says it all. On any given day, there are 2 (and sometimes 3) girls in the benefit department that literally wear the same exact outfit. I first noticed it when they walked by to go outside for a smoke (not to be confused with "the smokers"), and thought how funny it was that they both had gray pants on, and a pink top. A couple days later, the same thing happened. They had on a black skirt and a black cardigan, however, one had a blue tank on underneath, the other red. Ok, maybe it's a coincidence, it's not exactly the same...right? I decided that I was going to monitor these girls and see how often they wore the same thing. After being all ninja, I've realized they must call each other every night and plan what to wear. It wasn't just "oh, they have on black pants and a button down shirt", they had similar jewelry on as well as shoes! Now that doesn't just happen. I mean, c'mon, there is no way two people in the same department wears gladiator sandals (GAG), leggings (GAG), a long shirt that I guess could sort of pass for a dress, a couple of neon bangles (ahh go away 80's!), and big hoop earrings. This just seems over the top, and not to mention really time consuming! I'm lucky if I'm even able to have an unwrinkled shirt, let alone coordinate an outfit with someone! I wonder if they have to go shopping together...

Unfortunately, one of the girls seems to have quit smoking, or they're not friends anymore, because I don't them together going out for a smoke. I'm not sure if they're still matching each other, although I can only hope they are because why have one benefits girl wearing a black dress that's too short with black tights when we can have two!

The Dreaded Voicemail

"Hi, you have reached Bob. I can't answer the phone right now. Instead of leaving a message, why don't you call back the receptionist and give her a hard time. BEEP!"

I will never understand why people don't know how to leave a voice mail message. I know that we are in a time where instant gratification is so easy - a quick text instead of a phone, facebook chat rather than sending an email, but seriously people? If you call someone (esp. at their work) and they don't pick up, its not that hard to leave a quick message. Cell phones - ok, that's different, you'll have a missed call and most of the time, you'll know who it is. But anyways, if you call someone's office, and get transferred to their line and end up getting a voice mail, wouldn't it be so much easier to just leave a message there as opposed to calling back, getting the receptionist, and stating "Ummm, I got Linda's voice mail...what should I do?" Umm...what do you think should you do!? You would not believe how many people I have to instruct to leave a message. Maybe they think we're a small office and I take personal messages for all employees? Too bad we have almost 300 employees in t his office, and no, I don't take their messages. In fact, I probably wont even see them, so leaving a message on their voicemail is the smartest thing you can do. Oh, but what do I know. As one woman rudely pointed out to me "You mean, you LITERALLY just transfer calls and have no idea if people are going to pick up their phones?" Yes, exactly! That's exactly what happens!!! I'm glad someone gets it :)

Nice to Meet You

It's 9:57am, you're seconds away from being late for an important meeting. You enter into the lobby, and there I am. I'm Ruby, I'm the receptionist. You pretend you weren't just running down the sidewalk and calmly tell me who you are and who you're here to see. And in those 2 seconds that you entered the building, I've made up my mind about you. I can tell the moment you walk in if you're here for an interview, a salesman coming in with no appointment, or even if you're lost and need directions. I'd like to call it a gift, but honestly, I've been doing this for so long, you're easy to pick out.

I'm sure there are lots of men and woman who are great receptionists and love it. They're probably really good at their job too. I, however, am not one of those women. I suppose you could say I'm "good" at my job due to the fact that I am able to do the tasks needed (and I can pick out a nervous interviewee a mile away), but I am not good at sitting here greeting people, talking to people, smiling at people. In fact, from this job I'm beginning to think I'm not a people-person at all. I dream of the day where I sit in a cube and no one talks to me, where I don't have to answer the phone, or feel really uncomfortable every time a delivery guy walks in. Well no, that's not entirely true, I do like some people, mostly my family and friends, but the amount of clowns that I have to deal with on a daily basis is making me lose faith in the human race.

You're probably thinking then "why on earth do you do it? Just quit!" A great question, and honestly, the only answer I have is because it's the only job I could get. And that's with a college degree. I took the job at first, because like a lot of other jobs, I was promised a lot more. Just 3 months at reception and I'll be moving up the corporate ladder. Once you get your foot in the door, there's no where to go but up! Fast forward 3 years, 1000 rejected job applications later, and here I am sitting in this same damn chair answering the same damn phone calls.

And that's where this blog comes into place. I need a place to share all the ridiculous people and situations I encounter, because honestly if I didn't experience them first hand, I would think I was making them up. There are the smokers, the matching girls, the troll, the delivery people.... oh, so many stories to tell! (And admit it - you make up names for your co-workers too!)

So tune in! I'm hoping for this to be weekly, if not bi-weekly, blog of all the things I deal with daily. Hopefully the stories will make you laugh, and act as some sort of therapy for me before I go loco from dealing with all the crazies :)
Enjoy!