I’ve seen it and shared it before but this last weekend I received different variations of it twice (pics below). It’s the meme (or mehmeh as some of us call it lol only one person really lol) that says every coworker is not your friend. Or as us Jamaicans say mi come yah fi drink milk not count cow.
Maybe it’s me. I’ve never had the need or desire to be liked because I understood from early that I am not everybody’s cup of tea and that’s fine. However what I’m not clear on (especially if you’re not a millennial) is where is this need to be liked is coming from, specifically in the workplace and from managers.
The thing is, it feels like there is this push for managers to be liked by their staff and my thing is who gives a fuck really?! I feel like as long as I’m doing my work and not being disrespectful who gives a shit if I come in and not give you a hug? I mean a hug? Seriously, weren’t you loved or hugged as a child? or do you lack that much self-esteem.
Why? Why when I come in the mornings and say good morning that isn’t enough? Why is there a need for us to hang out after work if in reality you are not my cup of tea or why is it that some managers feel like if an employee doesn’t share their personal life it’s an indictment on them and then take it personally. I already have to spend at least 8 hours everyday with you so like most relationships “if me spirit nuh tek you” why should I want to spend more of my time in your presence?
To me our work relationships are just like any other relationships in life…some people you meet and your spirit immediately tek dem (lol it’s the Jamaican in me spirit tek is a big deal to us)…i.e. you gravitate to their aura and there are others that nuh matter weh dem do u spirit just nuh tek dem. It doesn’t mean that you are rude to them, you simply treat dem with a long stick (you know, friends close enemies closer kinda deal).
I have had a few managers and there are only 2 that I maintain a relationship with because there is an authenticity in their interest in both my personal and professional development. This can simply be attributed to the fact that neither of them entered my life expecting or demanding that we become friends. The boundaries were clear and there was a mutual respect which blossomed naturally into a mentor/mentee relationship. Are we friends now? I would say yes, but there is still a level of respect that I hold for them and maintain “a nuh everything good fi eat good fi talk” attitude.
mouttamassytanya 