Posts Tagged men’s room

What Would Keep You from Leaving the House?

There are many reasons for playing hooky from work. Super Bowl Monday. Your birthday. The first 80 degree day of the Spring. Also, a legitimate illness. But what if you didn’t want to go into work strictly because of your appearance? What would keep you from showing your mug in the office?

I ask this because of something that I did to my face.  I tend to pick at scabs.  I know, it’s a disgusting habit, and I should know better.  Anyway, the area under my eye became infected, and swelled up to a massive, ugly boil. Massive, is in, it should have had its own zip code.  Ugly, as in, small children would probably run screaming at the sight of it.  I was an evil, heinous-looking thing.  Luckily, the worst of it occurred over the weekend, and only my poor loved ones had to witness it.  One of my buddies, who’s seen me at my worst many times in the past, remarked, “Well, it is a ghastly-looking carbuncle.  But you’ve looked more repulsive when you’re drunk.”  That gave my wife little comfort.  She suggested this solution:

phantom4125rctvj3l_sl160_

So, having spared my coworkers from gazing upon Quasimodo, I thought back to my past, and the freakish sights that I’ve seen at work.  A director that I reported to early in my career once got too close to a poison ivy patch, and it broke out all over him, including his face.  His swollen visage resembled some kind of African death mask, and the mere sight of him made my eyes water.  My buddy Ed put it best when he said, “Jesus Christ!  He shouldn’t come to work looking like that!  Doesn’t he have any sick days coming?” I wondered the same thing.

Masarwa man - http://natavillage.org
Photo by jonrawlinson

Others have come in with everything ranging from bad perms to black eyes.  At least one black-eye case was due to a nose job; I can’t imagine what caused the others.  We had a guy who tore his Achilles tendon that used to take his shoe off in meetings and massage his foot (I shit you not).  Another lady stayed too long under the tanning lamp, and got a nice sunburn that blistered, oozed, and peeled.  She was quite the sight for a couple of weeks.

First sunburn of the season
Photo by Bekathwia

My “shiner”, as one of my buddies at work refers to it, has healed considerably.  It’s still kind of puckered-looking, like an asshole, though no one dares call me “ass-face”.  At least not to my face.  And if we weren’t in the middle of layoff season, I’d have probably taken a couple days off, and escaped the scrutiny altogether.  But like I’ve said before, someone always is worse off than you are…

Shiner, Self Portrait
Photo by AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

This morning as I was heading to a meeting, I passed an engineer that I know.  His face was a mass of scrapes covered with Band Aids.  He claimed that he  fell off of his bike last weekend.  He looked like he had been dragged face down behind a truck, and then beaten with a tire iron! At least now when I look in the mirror in the men’s room, I won’t be the ugliest of them all anymore.  There is finally someone more heinous-looking than me.

Print This Post Print This Post

Add to Del.cio.us RSS Feed Add to Technorati Favorites Stumble It! Digg It!
    www.sajithmr.com

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • sheeple31rd58ly0sl_sl500_aa300_Don't Go with the Flow Sheeple. The tag given to the general population by the outcasts, the unconventionals, the free-thinkers. If you haven't already guessed, I'm part of the latter crowd. I don't despise sheeple; rather, I pity them. I see this herd mentality at work.  One of the nervous ones will jump to......
  • Mystery in ChinaSun-Tzu Sunday, July 26, 2009 ** Maurice ** I decided to start a new feature for the summer on the Corporate Barbarian Blog: Sun-Tzu Sunday (can a Machiavelli Monday be far behind?).  Sun-Tzu was a military strategist of ancient China.   Each week, I'll present an excerpt from his treatise The Art of War. ......
  • teeth41wk-gtadrl_aa300_When Good Hygiene Goes Bad I was stuck in a series of day-long mandatory training sessions this week.  Thankfully, today was only for half the day.  Because much of the material was a rehash for me,  my mind, and my eyes, tended to wander.  And what my eyes saw wasn't pretty. The trend in......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • Fallene Cotz SPF 58 Water Resistant UVB/UVA Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, 2.5-Ounce TubeFallene Cotz SPF 58 Water Resistant UVB/UVA Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, 2.5-Ounce Tube User Reviews Send this to a friend Fallene Cotz SPF 58 Water Resistant UVB/UVA Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, 2.5-Ounce Tube Manufacturer: Fallene Customer Rating: List Price: $26.00 Sale Price: $16.50 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available Buy Now Product Description Fallene Cotz SPF 58 is a......
  • Top-secret America: A hidden world, growing beyond controlTop-secret America: A hidden world, growing beyond control [/caption] top-secret america: part 1 of a 3-part series from the Washington Post By Dana Priest and William Arkin The top-secret world the government created in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has become so large, so unwieldy and so secretive that no one knows how......
  • guestblog012010So what makes a book a romance? by Jeanne St. James, erotic romance writer. I love the romance genre. I should. I write it. Well, to be more exact, I have published two erotic romances: Banged Up, a m/f erotic romance, with Liquid Silver Books, and Double Dare, a m/m/f interracial ménage, with Loose Id. In......

, , , ,

3 Comments

September 2009 Recap

September 09
Photo by LeSmou Imperator

September was a good month, if you’re a New York sports fan.  The Bombers clinched another division title, and the Giants are undefeated.  Now, if A.J. Burnett can get himself straightened out, and the Giants don’t suffer any more injuries, October should be even better!

Here are my favorite posts from the past month:

How Ugly are Your Coworkers?

Men’s Room Ettiquette

The Time Machine

Earn Your Street Cred Like 50 Cent

Dexter’s Code for the Non-Sociopathic

Did you like any of these?  If you did, why not subscribe?  You can receive The Corporate Barbarian either by email or RSS feed.  Subscribe here

Or, follow me on Twitter: CorpBarbarian

Print This Post Print This Post

Add to Del.cio.us RSS Feed Add to Technorati Favorites Stumble It! Digg It!
    www.sajithmr.com

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • wb51x5dcrdnnl_sl160_Barbaric Book Review: The Wealthy Barber The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton was first published in 1991.  It's a basic financial guide, told in a narrative style, about three young people who seek financial advice from the town barber.  Yes, you read that correctly, a barber. The story follows a young teacher as he learns, along......
  • ath51ikxkd2hfl_sl160_Barbaric Book Review: Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun Unlike a recent mandatory reading assignment, I thoroughly enjoyed Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts.  First published in the mid-1980's, it contains timeless tips for managers at any level.  The author's unique approach is a welcome departure from the flavor-of-the-month motivational books ghostwritten for sports figures.......
  • sox51lwjhrl88l_bo2204203200_pisitb-sticker-arrow-clicktopright35-76_aa300_sh20_ou01_Sarbanes-Oxley, or, How to Waste a Tremendous Amount of Money Any beancounter out there can probably tell you at least one Sarbanes-Oxley horror story.  SOX, as it's sometimes called, created a whole cottage industry of companies that ensured that you were SOX-compliant.  There were practice audits, creating findings from these practice audits, leading to corrections to procedures, to more practice......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • blog traffic exchangeNeed To Send A Fax But Don't Have A Fax Machine? Send Faxes For Free Online. Back when I was just starting my blogs, I had the occasional need to send a fax to someone about a contract or whatever. At the time I just signed up for trials of every fax company on the internet and then quickly canceled the accounts before I was charged.......
  • blog traffic exchangeCheckup On 2009 Goals 2009 is now about 45 days old, so I thought I would put together a brief checkup on where I stand with my goals for 2009.  To be brutally honest, I'm not doing that well. Some of the early struggles have been influenced by outside events, and some is attributable......
  • CashCrate checkCashCrate Is Legit As part of my 75 Tips to Survive a Down Economy post a couple weeks ago I mentioned CashCrate as a legitimate part-time income opportunity.  I received quite a number of questions about the service, and I thought I would address them all here.  It just so happened I received......

, , , ,

2 Comments

Men’s Room Etiquette

no, I didn
Photo by amy_b

Ladies, you can skip this post.  Really, this one is not fit for your eyes.  My wife thought the subject matter was disgusting.  It’s for the benefit of my brothers out there in the corporate world.  It also has nothing to do with personal finance, but everything to do with corporate culture and basic human decency.  It involves that scary place of bad smells and strange noises known as the Men’s Room.  Unlike the Executive Washroom of 1960s movie fantasies, these places have all the charm (and cleanliness) of a gas station bathroom

We men live by a code: What happens in the Men’s Room, stays in the Men’s Room.  Unless, of course, someone holds the door open for too long, and everyone gets a whiff of the toxic gas that permeates the place.  Corporate bathrooms are especially toxic, as they are usually large affairs designed to accommodate numerous employees.  We men are dirty, smelly pigs.  Many  don’t know the proper etiquette of the Men’s Room, so I’m going to lay it out for you guys.  Here are some suggestions that will help you straighten up and fly right:

Don’t talk to me about anything while I’m at the urinal - I don’t care where you stand on Project XYZ, or how your son’s Little League team is doing.  It stinks in here, and I’m trying to get done as soon as possible.  I’ll see you outside in a few minutes, anyway.  And watch the heavy breathing, buddy.  You shouldn’t be that winded from taking a whiz.

funniest urinal art ever
Photo by arvindgrover

If there are several free urinals, don’t pick the one right next to me - It’s tight enough in here.  Leave some room.  Or I’m throwing elbows.

Open wide
Photo by Elsie esq.

Watch your aim - I mean, Geez, you’re inches away from the urinal.  Don’t piss on the floor.  I don’t want to step in it!  I know one guy who was put on the layoff list because of this.  True Story!


Phot by alanwoo

Don’t talk to me from the stall, either - Whatever you have to say to me can wait until we get out.  You may find yourself talking to an empty room.

stoptalking31c5f09hbkl_sl160_

Don’t talk on your cellphone when you’re in the stall, either - Dude!  Look at what you’re doing.  Are you going to wash your cellphone when you’re done?  Put the Crackberry away.

nocellphones31iaesltwgl_sl160_

No loud noises from the stall - Sounds made by bodily functions can’t be avoided.  I’m talking about vocal sounds.  I don’t care how many sliders you ate at White Castle last night.  Keep it down, will ya?  Some guys sound like they’re in labor in there.  There was less groaning in the maternity ward when my wife gave birth to my kids.

quiet31tiw5-jqgl_sl160_

Two words: Mercy Flush - After you’ve serenaded those of us trapped at the urinals with your strange evacuation noises, don’t leave your deposit marinating for all of us to smell.  Like George Carlin used to say, it’s not the smell, it’s the burning of my eyes!  Flush the toilet.  I beg of you.

whofarted51dnkkzugbl_sl160_

Tell me you’re not eating in there - I swear to God, some guys start and end the digestive process in the same place.  That’s gross, man.  No wonder you have diarrhea.  Leave your chow and coffee at your desk.

nevereatalone418fzixtmol_sl160_

Don’t sleep in the stall - Your snoring is distracting.  Get back to work before your boss finds you.

206/365 What I
Photo by -mrsraggle-

Don’t use my newspaper for your toilet reading - I might have wanted to read it, but not anymore.  It’s yours now.  Buy me a fresh one.  After you wash your hands.

Deep Snowboard Mag.
Photo by denniskatinas

Wash your freakin’ hands when you’re done - Especially if you work in the IT department, and have to touch my computer or phone.  Yuck.  Remember what your hands where just doing.

washhands41dpq5i1vel_sl160_

Better yet, also use the Purell dispenser - Belt and suspenders, you know what I mean?  You can’t be too clean.

purell41dibpb9ll_sl160_

Clean up after yourself - Don’t throw paper towels on the floor, or toilet paper, for that matter.  This place is gross enough.  Police your area.

Installation art at Reboot
Photo by Lars Plougmann

I hope that this post will help make your next Men’s Room visit a positive experience.  Why not do your part by forwarding it to your friends to help spread the word?  Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Thanks.

toiletpaper41xkqonol_sl160_

Print This Post Print This Post

Add to Del.cio.us RSS Feed Add to Technorati Favorites Stumble It! Digg It!
    www.sajithmr.com

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • teeth41wk-gtadrl_aa300_When Good Hygiene Goes Bad I was stuck in a series of day-long mandatory training sessions this week.  Thankfully, today was only for half the day.  Because much of the material was a rehash for me,  my mind, and my eyes, tended to wander.  And what my eyes saw wasn't pretty. The trend in......
  • blog traffic exchangeHelping Your Coworkers Selflessly I'm pretty proficient with computers, and frequently asked by my coworkers for help with computer problems. These range from troubleshooting Excel formulas to finding certain queries on our Oracle database. Usually these are at crisis moments for my coworkers, and they need my help immediately. Even if I'm busy at......
  • IStepping Up on Short Notice Photo by TheGiantVermin I had to substitute for a colleague, who's wife became ill.  He was supposed to present his program to his director, and because I had intimate knowledge of the program, I was asked to step up.  In other words, nobody else wanted to be put on......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • blog traffic exchangeWhat to Do About Rebuilding Haiti I hope that the rush of international aid to Haiti will minimize the loss of life and suffering by the folks stranded on that island. Phase two of the recovery will involve important questions of what should be done to rebuild the country. As harsh as it may seem, this......
  • blog traffic exchangeDo One Thing: Turn Off The Dish Dryer. This week's Do One Thing is a simple one that costs nothing and only saves money. We did this growing up and it's more important than ever now. Do you really need to run the drying cycle of your dishwasher? Just stop the dishwasher once the wash cycle is done......
  • Working Overtime - A Blessing Or A Curse? What would you do if you were asked to work overtime? Jump at the opportunity? Protest adamantly? How do you decide if working overtime is worth it? It may not be an easy decision to make. Here are some factors to consider when arriving at a decision. Pay This is......

,

7 Comments