Monday, April 20, 2009

A Pet Peeve

So today, during my bi-weekly retail therapy session, I was at a store in which the manager and a sales associate were sitting behind the counter gossiping about another fellow employee. I did not really catch the gist of the convo, but I did hear that they were hating on this individual. Ok can I just say that this behavior irks me so much? How do these people even become managers?? There must not be a professionalism course in their training. Or do they even get trainig? I mean, it drives me nuts when sales associates talk crap about their job or employer-- after, all it seems like this happens at most crusty mall stores-- but the manager? I am willing to bet that this manager is a good person- in fact, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt that I would maybe even like her if I met her on the street. But I just think people need to take a good look at the way they act in public, especially when they are representing a certain company. End rant here. :)

Monday, April 6, 2009

Are Blogs Dangerous Ground?

So I know some people out there in this world who have gotten in trouble b/c of things they've said on their blogs. Actually, I have to admit that when I was younger I might have said some regretful, hurtful things about a friend that came to bite me in the ass later, long after I forgot I had written them. Because we are hiding behind a screen when online, I think it's a lot easier to express ourselves. However, sometimes that freedom to be ourselves hurts us later.

Lately, I know of people whose jobs have been compromised, others whose mental health has been questioned, and so forth, because of the things they've said on their blogs. Nowadays even facebook and myspace are places where employers seek for potential candidates, where colleges investigate applicants. So, are blogs dangerous ground? Should we even blog, or is it not worth the risk of reputation? One of my fave bloggers is a girl who is very open with her feelings and thoughts. She doesn't front, she says exactly how she feels, even if it's a bit unhappy or not what people wanna hear. Instead of the typical blogger of how happy she was chasing her children around the house or baking cookies for her husband, she talks about real life and real feelings. Yet she is often criticized for putting herself out there so much, especially since her feelings can really be like a rollercoaster ride sometimes.

However, I think that in real-life, we have a hard time expressing our feelings. Let's face it, most of us are too afraid to confront people we don't know so well, or whatever it is. Most of us are a little whimpy, and so we never get our true feelings out. So it is kind of refreshing to have a forum where we feel we can express ourselves. Not to say we should gripe behind people's backs or bask in our insecurity. But at the same time, it's not totally unusual for people to be human. And kind of refreshing to read their blogs and say "phew! good, they're normal". There's really nothing wrong with that.

That being said, it's ok to be careful about what you say, as in maybe not attacking people personally or posting nekkid pics (LOL) - good judgment is really important! But otherwise, it's ok to be real, and blogs are a great way to share that reality. That's all. :)