It is interesting ...

I always think of manners as oil for gears. It makes thing smoother.

My own way of speaking is very abrupt. I forget please and thank you way too much. As in I notice a big difference in reactions when I am not quite as abrupt.

I always think of manners as oil for gears. It makes thing smoother.

This! This! Part of the reason the various writers I've worked with at the Big Tech Co. all like me as an editor is because I say "please" and "thank you". Even when I want to beat them with the style guide.

Even when I want to beat them with the style guide.

I suddenly want to mount a style guide on the handle of a croquet mallet for Jilli.

I suddenly want to mount a style guide on the handle of a croquet mallet for Jilli.

Oooh, I could hang it on the wall, crossed with my pink and black croquet mallet. That would be perfect!

I've decided not to get into a comments argument about pregnancy dietary guidelines as it relates to Top Chef judging. I think I deserve a pat on the back for this.

Our comapny does a mix-CD every year that we give out at our holiday party. This year's theme is "Favorite Song". Out of 27 people, I've received 2 songs. So I sent out the following:

Hello All!!

Just a friendly reminder about sending me the title and artist of your all-time favorite song! So far I've only received two and I need yours by Friday. All vacant slots will be filled with music by The Backstreet Boys, Jon Tesh, and Hannah Montana and assigned to your name!! (ha ha ha! or, rather, ho ho ho!)

Happy Holidays!!

Oooh, I could hang it on the wall, crossed with my pink and black croquet mallet. That would be perfect!

You could paint a tiny silhouette of each of your victims on it....

I've decided not to get into a comments argument about pregnancy dietary guidelines as it relates to Top Chef judging. I think I deserve a pat on the back for this.

pats Jess on the back

rubs baby bump if permission granted

My own behavior is very different if I'm focusing on a person, instead of something I'm working on, when I tend to be abrupt and possibly rather brusque. It's hard to look at one's own behavior from the outside, but I think I can switch back and forth between "people mode" and "information/task mode" in a half-second, which probably leaves many people confused. I can see how someone, especially someone whose own primary mode of engagement is people/emotion focused, might misunderstand my "task mode" as me being dismissive or insensitive to her/him personally.

I suppose I could work on that. Or I could just be relieved that my primary communication with my co-workers now is by email.

Aims - Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Also, I'm afeared if that happens the mix will turn up at the next F2F.