The Quiet Hustle

I have a story I want to tell. I remember a few years ago when my job hired a new person. I was the one tasked with training her and I wasn’t looking forward to it. Being an introvert, I don’t like or want someone in my space. Especially not for a full shift for at least a week.

The day I met her; I immediately disliked her. Not usually a thing that happens, most of the time I’m just indifferent. Not really caring, just go on about my business. But this person, there was something about her that didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t know why, but I had to train her. So, I did the best I could.

She seemed sweet enough at first. She often talked about how much of an organized worker she was. While training she asked a lot of questions, and I answered them. I wanted her to learn how to do the job properly. I don’t like teach things half assed. Even if I really don’t want to teach.

She often talked about how much she liked to socialize. She’d talk to anyone about anything. Me included. I get that she was very extroverted, but we were at work, not a party.

Sometimes she would come over to me and try to start a conversation. When I didn’t respond, she would ask if I was ok. I told her that I am not a talkative person. I am not going to respond the way other people do. I prefer to keep to myself and work. I’ve explained that to her four times.

But as time went on, I started to notice things about her. She was very childish and liked to complain. She complained about having to work, complained about the kind of work we do. Doing the same thing over and over again. Not only was she getting on my nerves, but she also started to annoy everyone else.

On top of complaining, she would also stand around and pout. Even got into an argument with another coworker. It was like she never worked a day in her life. Going to work got to be unbearable. Between her bitching and whining and acting like a spoiled brat, she was also liked to accuse me of things. Something went missing and she tried to blame me. I was off helping someone else in another department. She also tried to blame me for a product being dirty saying that my shoe prints were all over it. I pointed out that those were not my shoe prints.

Also, she was not organized at all. She had paperwork everywhere, some of it was covered in grease. But still all she wanted to do was stand around and talk. Complained about doing the work. And how she didn’t like working there.

I remember the day she told us that she put in a week’s notice. Me and my coworkers were so happy to hear that. Best news ever! But we still had to endure her for another week.

During that time, we got two new workers. I think she had to train them, and she talked their ears off. Said that she hated the job and doing the same thing over and over again was annoying. Then came up to me and asked if I liked working there. I said yes. To which she replied, “The job is ok. It’s easy.” I thought to myself, are you serious? You told the new guys that you don’t like working here but then tell me that you’re ok with it? You are a goddamn clown! At that point I was done with her.

Towards the end she held up a few people talking about a dead bird she saw outside. I think she went on about that for twenty minutes. The next day she came to me about it. She asked, “You know that bird that was in here. Not the first one but the other one?” I said that’s not something I keep track of. Then she told me that the bird died. All I said was “ok”. In a tone that said leave me alone. She never spoke to me again.

A few days later she finally quit. And we were all glad to see her go.

Like I said, I’m usually indifferent to people. I didn’t know why I didn’t like her at first but now I do. She was a whiny lazy girl that complained about doing the simplest jobs. She didn’t actually want to work there; she just wanted to socialize. She was also sloppy, a spoiled brat and tried to throw me under the bus a few times. I don’t have time for people like that. Especially at work. So good riddance to her.

So that was my story time. I hope you enjoyed reading it. I will probably have more in the future. Feel free to leave a comment about a troublesome coworker you dealt with.