It’s A Busy Off!
I’m guilty of it. You’re guilty of it. But I’m more guilty of it because I’m way busier than you are!Â
You know them well. They’re the people who, at the slightest opportunity, complain about what they’ve been tasked to do in a one-upmanship way.  Â
They suck your aura. And if you’re not careful, they suck you right in.
Here’s how it goes. Worker 1:  ”Hi, Worker 2, how are you today?” Worker 2: “I’d be fine if I didn’t have to (insert any task here).” Worker 1: “Well, I have to (insert more things to do than Worker 2 listed).” Implied by both: Don’t ask me to do another thing or I might explode and it’ll all be your fault!
The tone of their voice is much like that of Eeyore. That is, until the busy one-upping builds in intensity and almost sounds like lively conversation. Â
Neighbor 1: “Hi, Neighbor 2.  Congratulations on your new job!” Neighbor 2: “Yeah, well. It’s going to mean a ton of work and I already have (insert anything here) to do.” Neighbor 2: “I know what you mean. I have to (insert more things than Neighbor 1 has ever dreamed of doing).” Neighbor 1: “I have to do all those things at once!” Â
How about Talley Talker suggestions on how to keep a busy off from ensuing.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Oh yeah. I have been guilty of doing this then one day I just realized that no one really wants to hear you complain about how bad you’ve got it. Next time your neighbor or coworker starts complaining about how tough they’ve got it, give em one of these…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uecapxuY-k
July 25th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I usually encourage these types of people to kill themselves.
I try to convince them that in their current situation life is not worth living and they should immediately end it.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
S.T. — who are you “actually” referring to in this blog? Hmmmm, tell us, please!
July 25th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I don’t have time to respond. I’m too busy.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I don’t really relate to this one too much, but I LOVE Eeyore!
July 25th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Yeah, Eeyore’s awesome! And I’m not just saying that because I happen to sound like him a lot
July 26th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Going to get all Zen on you guys now: Heard that when you start a sentence with “I have to” in a complaining manner, one is playing a victim role. I tune out when I hear this.
Got to go now, I have to clean up the dead bird on my porch that my cat left me.
July 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Go Spuff! I’ve had one in every office I’ve ever worked in. I try to either ignore them or do the ron route and tell them yes their life/job does suck. this usually surprises them.