chibi bahamut ([info]chibi_bahamut) wrote,
@ 2009-04-14 22:53:00
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busy busy busy
just finished my taxes; wow, e-filing really isn't any quicker!

It's also a great feeling to know you're about to get a HUEG lump-sum check of X amount of dollars.



Praying tomorrow work'll be gentle. I've got to ask my manager about my job status (stillll a temp), and looks like I just have to get used to being perpetually up to my britches in work (can't never seem to get the hang of workin' it down). Also must step up to the plate and act like the expert in this corporate project to clean up the intranet in tomorrow's meeting. Me and my big mouth.


social relations at work can.... be much improved. I suck at small talk, and it really shows. Why? can't seem to ask the right questions, nor duck out gracefully when the conversation gets unwieldy and starts eating large chunks of my time. I just come off as awkward with a whiff of stand-off-ish. ...



blerg. so many things to catch up on, but it's 11; way past my bedtime. brain; mandatory shut down

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[info]chairwolf
2009-04-15 09:49 am UTC (link)
guhhh crap, I need to do my taxes nao!

Some advice on the work conversations since I used to have the same problem.
It helps to know ahead of time if you're gonna be discussing something trivial vs something important that's work related. The latter is pretty easy to deal with and should be common sense - the more important whatever it is you're talking about the more of an excuse to let it take up your time; duck out if you have to or find a spot in the conversation that reminds you of something and say something to the effect of "oh that reminds me, sorry to cut this short...[insert whatever excuse you can tack on]."

The former I suppose is harder. For me it works to simply pretend to be a listener and offer as little input into the conversation as possible without coming off as rude...I'd say offer a tidbit of advice if they're asking for some and if not, smile and nod if it's simply a story about your coworkers day or whatever. I don't really think it'll seem like you're awkward or standoffish if you're attentive.

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[info]chibi_bahamut
2009-04-18 06:23 am UTC (link)
dude, i hope you did your taxes; it was due on the 15th.



Thanks for the advice! Yeah, it always feels weird to prepare to make small talk, but if that's the precaution I have to take, I've gotta take it.

Really? I wouldn't seem awkward or standoffish if I'm attentive? I would disagree a little; I feel women are a little bit more sensitive about that, and I work with a floor of like, 58 women and 4 men. ...

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[info]yoshifreak
2009-04-17 01:04 am UTC (link)
I reckon it's worth it just to get an accountant to do your taxes. The price they charge is worth the extra few hours of not having to do tedious form filling. But maybe that's just me. :3

Good luck with your work stuffs! With the kind of stuff they got you doing, surely they gotta make you a full timer sooner or later. :B

Also, I find that some people are naturally good talkers and some people are naturally better at listening (and of course others who fall somewhere in the middle). I find myself less of a talker and more of a listener, so I I try to just sit back and let other people do all the hard work. :p I mean, people usually like talking about themselves anyway. :3 d

I think it also depends on the type of person you're trying to converse with too. I also find that there are some people who you get along with instantly like a house on fire, and there are other people who, despite your best efforts, just won't click with. But that's okay too. Though I suppose then your options are kinda limited to just being polite with them. :'3

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[info]chibi_bahamut
2009-04-18 06:27 am UTC (link)
actually, doing my taxes this year was pretty quick! I thought I'd take a whole day, but in the end I spent only like, 2 hours on it. I find that accountants are pretty expensive; my co-worker paid $100 for hers to be filed, and I'm pretty sure it isn't any more complicated than mine.

thanks; because of the hiring freeze, work has been pretty draining lately.


LOL, "get along instantly like a house on fire" is most certainly the most hilarious thing I heard today! I know it's "Ok", but it just sucks that not having a good personal relationship at work most usually always end up affecting the working relationship. Ugh.

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[info]sarcasteak
2009-04-17 12:12 pm UTC (link)
Huh, e-filing isn't quicker? Really? TurboTax free edition took me no more than 15 minutes to fill out even though I have various sources of income... *shrugs*

As for small talk...
Guys: Talk about sports or weekend plans. If they have girlfriends or drama, you can have them whine about those topics if you can tolerate them.
Ladies: Get to know their family slowly, especially kids and pets. Once they're comfortable enough, you can easily milk conversations out of these.

Interests and hobbies are the easiest way to get them to talk. Just act like you care or are interested but not TOO much--you don't want them to think they can invite you or convert you, unless that is your intention.

Edited at 2009-04-17 12:17 pm UTC

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[info]chibi_bahamut
2009-04-18 06:32 am UTC (link)
yeah, no. I stopped when they asked me to type in my W-2 and all my other 1099-INT paperwork. Shit, they pay someone in the IRS to type that shit up, not me.


See, I find talking with guys are so much easier-- they really don't have much expectation for the quality nor quantity of conversation at all in comparison with girls, and they don't hold grudges!

But shit, you're right. Kids and pets are always what they talk about; you've made me realize I should start taking notes. It's way too hard to remember on the fly.

lol. "act like you care but aren't interested TOO much"... God, why does it feel like life is just all about learning to straddle the fine line of charming and awkward?

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[info]sarcasteak
2009-04-18 11:14 am UTC (link)
>>yeah, no. I stopped when they asked me to type in my W-2 and all my other 1099-INT paperwork. Shit, they pay someone in the IRS to type that shit up, not me.
Err, huh? Your companies or organizations have already sent you all those forms filled out already, no? All you have to do is copy those same numbers and input them into the online form...inputting the numbers take no more than half a minute, so I don't see how it's troublesome. D:


>>See, I find talking with guys are so much easier-- they really don't have much expectation for the quality nor quantity of conversation at all in comparison with girls, and they don't hold grudges!
I generally avoid small-talks with girls my age (without family) if I have nothing in common with them or share any sport interests. "How's it going," "where are you going for lunch," or "blah blah this/last weekend/vacation" is about as far as I'll go. Otherwise, I've found that they are generally too much trouble for what they're worth...


>>But shit, you're right. Kids and pets are always what they talk about; you've made me realize I should start taking notes. It's way too hard to remember on the fly.
Oh yes, definitely make quick notes if you want to generate more conversations and deeper connection. I generally don't...most of them have pictures of their kids and pets on their desks anyways to remind me.

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[info]chairwolf
2009-04-18 08:30 am UTC (link)
Or you could like just not care and make it known? LOL I sometimes get the urge at work to like shout "WHYYYYYYY" whenever someone talks to me. Interestingly enough I'd wish I could go the whole nine yards and slap some crap off the counter and start dragging my feet and start bashing my head against a wall whenever someone opens their mouth.

Though I guess that would make me an ass...so I default to suffering their company.

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