Cubes, mazes, rats, people?

So work.

Apparently, that is what I do now. At least work of the 9-5 nature.

It’s an interesting phenomena to be back in the land of cubes.

I’ve come to realize that I am quite an individualist, who really enjoys the company of others, on my own terms.

Sitting in a cube next to a couple of mothers who decide to share their amazement at how much pooh and puke can come out of one child, is not company I enjoy.

Yet, sadly for me, such is my lot.

It’s kinda funny what the illusion of walls will do to people.

I can hear every conversation that goes on around me, so I assume the same can be said of my conversations for my cube-mates. Yet few seem to grasp the concept that some things should be said outside of the cube, in the friendly confines on anywhere but your cube.

Another example is folks who like to have very personal (and loud) arguments on their cell phones while at their desk.

Mesmerizing stuff, but hardly what I or about anyone else want to hear.

But thanks to miracle of efficient use of space, I get to share an only-slightly-more-than-imagined wall with the Upchuck Twins.

Have I ever been guilty of being inappropriate in my cube at the behest of my cube-mates…I am sure I have. However, I am at least aware of the fact that I don’t have my own office and should be respectful of those around me.

So should cubes be sterile, work-only bastions of efficiency? Not by a long-shot.

I figure the average person spends 8 hours a day at the office, that’s 1/3 of their day! I’d venture to guess that the average person spends more time at work than they do sleeping, so it’s important that you are comfortable there.

Make your cube your own. (As sad as that sounds.)

But as you do so, keep my Dad in mind. He’s the kinda guy who had naked lady calendars on the wall and half-gallons of whiskey on the shelf at home…But nothing of the sort in his office. After all, it WAS an office.

Work is something we have to do. So I advocate making it as comfortable as possible. But in doing so, just pay attention to what your cube is really saying about you and how your actions affect those around you.

Oh, and one more tidbit: Keep the pooh, puke and other talk to a minimum...

I and your cube-mates will thank you.

Update: One more hint...It's never OK to have fish for lunch. Sure it's healthy, but toss it in the microwave and the rest of the office will hate you for the rest of the day.