Head to the Desk to the WTF

[grammarwoman]

It might come off in reading my rants about work that I don't think much of my coworkers, that I think they're small-minded, frustratingly conservative, hypocritical bigots. Sometimes I feel bad for presenting them that way. Being bored with the constant babble of sports, reality TV, and petty gossip is a reflection on me more than them, right?

Then there are times like today's lunch, where I arrived to a few people talking about a guy winning Wheel of Fortune and pointing out his fiance (male, in case it's not clear by the gendered ending) in the crowd. There was evidently even a kiss on the cheek exchanged. My female coworker, in relaying this anecdote, actually flinched in distaste, and fluttered with a "On prime time TV, can you believe it?" I tried to reply evenly with "You love who you love, right?" The other people grumbled and shifted uncomfortably, and the female coworker replied "Well, I can't understand it. I even did an essay on it in high school [this would have been 30 years ago or so]. You know..." obvious pause for regrouping, "Homosexuality." Much head shaking around the table ensued.

It makes me feel sick and want to cry all at the same time. WTF, people! Still? Way to support the Central Illinois, small-town Midwesterner stereotype.

Pardon me while I go read some slash and try not to go on a rampage.

Comments

[herbivorous.livejournal.com]

Dear Bob. I almost wish that we could teleport these people to MY "office" for a day, just to see them swallow their own faces. I work in Boystown, probably a good 20% of the staff is queer, we regularly get shopped by EXTREMELY obvious trannies, and you know what? Everyone is just so damn nice to each other--customers, fellow employees, even the goddamn security guys--that I seriously expect us to break into song some day. It's one of the most tolerant, fun-loving, laid-back places I've ever worked.

Oh, and while we're transporting, let's choose the date, too. (The yearly Pride parade goes RIGHT past my store every summer.)

Anywhoo, next time someone makes a bigoted comment, just mentally whisk them away to my neck of the woods, where they would get verbally bitchslapped in about a millisecond for saying anything like that.

[grammarwoman]

I'm trying to come up with a variation on the "Calgon, take me away!" thing that would fit. "Halsted, take them away"? *grin*