Things not to say at work
I was reading an article on what NOT to say in the workplace this morning. It was kind of funny to realize how many things I say that I should not, but I seem to stay employed so I guess I say it in a nice way.
Anyway, many of the same comments that you should not say at work are said around the house, with my wife, the kids, friends and their kids. For Patti, our home life is her work environment, only with no sick days, terrible pay, no overtime comp and a sometimes dangerous work environment. So here is the list of things not to say, but in the content of my personal life.
1. "That's not my job."
Said to Patti, when she asked me to change Emerson’s diaper. At least I thought it was funny.
2. "Yeah, no problem." (If you don't mean it.)
What I say to Emily or Ethan when they ask me some inane question, like if I can jump over the house or make the car fly.
3. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but ... "
What I say to Emily when I definitely want her to tell someone. Like, “don’t tell anyone I said this but I am taking Ethan to the hockey game”.
4. "I haven't had a raise in four years."
What my wife would have said when Emily was 4.
5. "It's not my fault."
Heard on an almost daily basis from our 3 kids and at times myself.
6. "To be honest with you ... "
Patti says this to me after I’ve asked her a question 10 times. “Patti, do you know where the portable DVD player is”. After 9 times of her saying no, she will say To be honest with you, it’s hidden in the pantry.
7. "Whom did you vote for?"
I have no need to ask this in Massachusetts, the answer is always “not a republican”.
8. "I got so trashed last night ... "
We usually say “it feels like I got so trashed last night” but without the benefit of the getting trashed part. With three kids and a cat, rarely do we have 5 hours of unbroken sleep, let alone 8 hours.
9. "I just didn't have enough time for that."
Spoken daily.
10. ". . . or else."
Spoken hourly.