It's Your Life. Live It!

Here’s the scene: It’s 1995 and I walk into a meeting at work. The boss says, “Are you a closer?” Not sure of the question’s context, I respond, “Hell yeah, I’m a closer!” The team soon sits down to a viewing of the “Coffee’s for Closers” scene from the movie Glengarry Glen Ross. IYKYK, but if you don’t, let’s just say the use of the word “fuck” is quite liberal and the point is clear: If you’re not closing, there’s the door.

Three decades ago, people weren’t so worried about hurting others’ feelings at the office. Bosses who were “direct” back then are now considered bullies. All colorful language is now verboten. You can’t even tell someone they look nice without risking a sexual harassment complaint.

We get it, there have absolutely been abuses, but FOR FUCK’S SAKE, we need to go back to letting a few F-bombs fly when they’re warranted. If you’re truly offended, JUST LET US KNOW! We’ll make sure not to say fuck within earshot. (If you’re a subscriber, this probably isn’t you.) 

Not all workplace situations are sunshine and rainbows, after all. Sometimes someone sets a hoop on fire and demands you jump through it. Those are the moments you want to throw up your hands (or a chair) and remind everyone that a lack of planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on yours. 

The closer I get to retirement (and the further Judy gets into it) the more difficult it is to hold back on expressing frustrations caused by a general lack of professionalism and urgency that seems to be prevalent among newer employees. That lack of go-get-’em attitudes that used to be a clear indication of future success leaves us both wondering, “What is to become of us?”

So, the next time you want to shake the shit out of someone and shout, “OFFS” in their face, just remember you are not alone. There are plenty of us who feel the same way.

©Judy and Greg Romano – All rights reserved.