We (humans) are strange animals. While we are united in our effort to excel and do better than others, we differ in the means we adopt to achieving this. This results in some unique situations where people try to make themselves out to be different from what they really are.
The above is perhaps most visible at the workplace where we carry a “public” persona, or what we would like ourselves to be seen as. In over twenty years of working with large “corporations”, I have come across many examples in the day to day life of employees where these subtle (to the doer) and shameless (to the doee) acts often create situations that are both poignant and funny and, at times, disgusting.
I have tried to create this series to purely poke fun at big corporation office life and people working there (including me), and have a
good laugh. It is not designed with any other loftier purpose like attaining Global Peace.
These could be front-line employees of the organisation. These could be supervisory and managerial staff. Or these could be people in
the so-called senior management. In most cases, we would perhaps imagine these situations to apply to our colleagues, or our bosses, who are perhaps most often the subject of our lampooning and caricaturing. Let us not forget that we may also be colleagues and bosses to others and, hence, these situations may be applicable to us just as well as anyone else.
It must be said that these situations are examples and do not represent universal truisms. There are many examples I have seen of people exhibiting these traits. At the same time, there are many other secure and self-assured people who are able to overcome petty insecurities and say exactly what they mean and intend to and create an open and transparent environment at the workplace.
It takes all sorts of people to make the world. The world is a bright and colourful place thanks to this diversity. It includes some people who may act in the manner described in these cameos. It also includes many others who may not.
Some situations are presented in this Blog.
Hi Ankur, guess we each have a dark side to ourselves ! And sometimes it’s funny as hell too . Good start ole’ chap !
Thanks Jagat. On pins and needles. Not sure how it would come out. BTW, how did you get to it ? Was it thru’ the message I sent on Linkedin today morning ?
Hi Ankur, kudos on this brainwave!
Being an avid Reader’s Digest fan, i can relate this being akin to the Corporate Denizen’s version of “Humor in Uniform.” I’ll be sure to keep tuned to this my much needed daily dose of humor and will occasionally try and post anecdotes from my side of things!
Thanks for the feedback Vivek. Glad you like it. Request you to fwd the link to others who may like it. Thanks again.
You are the Dilbert cartoon strip but with essays instead. Concise length for the perfect quick read. Thanks visit my blog.
Thanks a ton. Flattering to be compared with Dilbert. Scott Adams remains the guru of this genre.
I remember when I had my first real job almost thirty years ago. I was naive and had no clue about the corporate world. Oh my, it was eye-opening. I’m excited to see what you have to say about the work place.
Thank you for your comments. I have worked for close to twenty five years in the corporate world. And I could write a book each day on just people’s behaviour and posturing. From that perspective, it is as interesting as it was thirty years back, perhaps more.
I nominated you for an award http://wp.me/p20576-i8
Mr. Mary,
Just responded to this on your Blog. To keep it brief here, I am touched and honoured. Thank you.
Ankur, you have a fantastic blog!! And congratulations on the publishing front 🙂
Thanks a lot. Feel bad that I put out the “Break” notice just after you had signed-up. Hope to restart soon.
Will eagerly wait for your book, as compensation you could give me a signed copy 😉
Hmmm. That’s a thought. Don’t want to promise outright, as there may be some logistics involved, but will keep it in mind. And thank you for asking.
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the The Versatile Blogger Award! Thanks for all of your awesome posts! I ❤ your blog
You can get the details here:
http://sorryiamnotsorry.com/2012/03/15/officially-legit-i-won-the-versatile-blogger-award/#comments
Ankur, it has been a pleasure to read your writings. I admire the originality in your content and the laughs that it provides me. I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award.
When you have a moment, I hope you can hop over for a read:
http://haphazardlinkages.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/a-stellar-quarter-7-awards-of-recognition/
No compulsions to accept, Sir. Irrespective of your decision to accept/decline it, I shall remain a faithful reader!
Thanks again. Just visited your Blog (got notice of the new post) and left a Comment. I am grateful for your recognition but not quit sure what it means to accept / decline.
No problem, Sir. It took me a while to figure it out. As you mention, WP seems a bit like peer review in science. It doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things (but then, neither do film awards!) but it is gratifying that people actually read what you write. After all, we aspire to spread cheer through the blog!
You do not have to do anything. It is just my way of showing appreciation for the smiles that you bring.
Best!
I have just called into Princess Laila’s Space
and noticed some of your comments, hence
my visit into your world of blogging…
For now I will have a quick browse as it is rather
late here for the moment, but I will take a longer
look on the morrow…
Have a great Wednesday Ankur Mithal 🙂
Androgoth
Thanks for visiting. I hope you will find it worth your while to come back. Thanks and wish you a great day as well. We are already at about mid-day Wednesday here.
Thank you for rapping on the gates my friend,
I have granted you access to my Private Space
so just bring along some garlic flavoured gum
some sharpened stakes and a wooden mallet 🙂
I look forward to seeing you there soon Ankur 🙂
Androgoth
It’s amazing to read about human behavior, and it is especially more interesting when that behavior pertains to the ‘corporate culture.’ It is an absolute bliss to read your cameos, and they are full of funny truths!
I am glad to have encountered this treasure trove of fun that brings forth some stories of the human nature that couldn’t have been told in a more better way!
Thanks again Lopa. I agree. Human behaviour never ceases to amaze. One doesn’t need to create stories. They are happening all around us all the time. We just have to be vigilant and watch them unfold.
Have a great weekend Ankur…
Androgoth
Hey thanks Andro. Wish you the same.
“I am honoured to nominate you for the One Lovely Blog Award! Please pick-up your award at http://lopascribes.wordpress.com/. Copy and Paste the Award to your blog and follow the rules of acceptance. I am very aware that some people do not wish to participate in Awards, and I completely respect that… no strings! But in any case, Congratulations, you have a Lovely Blog.”
Thank you Lopa. I am honoured you thought of me for one of the noinations. Happy to accept and display the award. Please allow me some time to follow the rules.
You are most welcome, and you truly deserve the award!
You can take your time…there is absolutely no hurry. 🙂
Hey! I’ve nominated your for a sunshine award. Good for you! Cheers!
Since you insist! But on a serious note, peer group recognition is probably the most cherished recognition. Thanks a lot.
Sir, I am so glad that I stumbled upon your blog. Your posts made me laugh and at the same time it made me realize the grim realities of corporate life.
I’m following your blog now! 🙂
Thanks Allwin. I am glad you like it.
Great stuff Ankur. Would love to ‘corporate gyan’ by reading your book.
Best regards & cheers.
Thanks again. I appreciate your stopping by and taking the trouble to put down feedback. For a writer (if I may call myself that), it is an important validation, even if the feedback is not complimentary. So, thanks for that.
Sir, I have nominated you for the verstaile blogger award and the very inspiring blogger award.
Here is the link:
http://allwinbrightwrites.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/blogger-awards/
Accepting/Declining the award is your choice. 🙂
I’ll remain an avid reader of your blog irrespective of your decision to accept or decline the award like all the other bloggers who have nominated you for the blogger awards in the past.
Thank you Allwin. It is an honour, especially to get peer-recognition.
versatile*
Hi, just another award to add to your collection. I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! http://jaydeashe.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/beaucoup-good-shit-too-beaucoup/
I am honoured that you considered me. However, without meaning any disrespect, I have to request to be de-considered as I am not in a position to fulfil the requirements of the nomination. I will, in any case, go over and look at the other sites nominated. Thank you once again.
Good Lord, do I understand. I am too old and occupied to play all the little rules games like a 20 something facebooker or twittering twit. I hope I don’t get any more. For the last few I have posted the logo and referenced the person/blog with thanks but that is far as I go.
“My own mind, exactly, neighbour” as Thomas Hardy once stated in Far From The Madding Crowd
Hey! I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. 🙂 hahah!
http://catrionaiscrazy.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
I am honoured that you considered me. However, without meaning any disrespect, I have to request to be de-considered as I am not in a position to fulfil the requirements of the nomination. I have, in any case, gone over and looked at some of the other sites nominated and have already become connected to Ajaytao as a result. Thank you once again.
I’ve pulled your name Ankur, as you have requested. Please feel free to delete my comments.
Thank you. Once again, I am grateful that you considered me.
Thank you for visiting my site and commenting. I enjoy satire and from what I’ve read so far, you are quite good at it…..as well as bemused by we human animals, as am I.
Thank you Cynthia. Very kind of you. Absolutely spot-on. Though I use politicians, cops, businesspeople as whipping boys in stories, the whole deal is really about all of us, the common human animal, both culprit and perpetrator.
Thank you for sharing this article quite interesting and, hopefully true happiness rays began to warm our hearts, when we can share it with sincerity. Greetings from Gede Prama 🙂
You seem to have read my “About” page quite thoroughly…
Ankur, consider putting calendar in widgets so can visit recent stuff. Regards.
Thanks for the input Carl. Let me see what I can do.
Thanks for the visit, likes and following. Honored
You are welcome. Like your views as expressed through your cartoons.
Hi Sir, just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for a very inspiring blogger award at WordPress…Thank you for being an inspiration.Cheers, Nishi.
Nishi, I am honoured that you considered me. However, without meaning any disrespect, I have to request to be de-considered as I am not in a position to fulfil the requirements of the nomination. I will, in any case, go over and look at some of the other sites nominated by you. Thank you once again.
absolutely no problem! Totally understand Sir! Do drop by the blog..would love to hear your comments and feedback..cheers, Nishi.
Ha..ha.. I guess you’re right. We’re the doer as well as the doee. 😀
Indeed we are. And, we also don’t hesitate in changing sides, depending on the situation. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
I’m always looking for a good laugh!
I hope you got a few on this blog.
One of the 2 office humour blogs I follow. Because office humour is the only thing great about work.
Honoured! Looking back over my many years of “office life”, am unable to find any strong reason to disagree with your statement.
Recently found your blog – love it! Thanks for stopping by my blog and offering a comment! Without humor, corporate/office life is dead!
Thank you! Though, like any self-respecting corporate project, it now suffers from “scope creep”, with recent posts more on current affairs and politics, deviating from the original intention of workplace related satire.
Very unique concept for a blog!
Kudos! 😀 😀
I’ve just entered Corporate. Glad found your blog at right time! 😛 😀
Thank you! Glad you find it useful. Recent posts are more on current affairs. You may need to scroll down to the earlier posts for a dose of corporate satire. Thanks again and best wishes for your corporate journey.
Yes sure Ankur! 🙂
Thanks to you too for your wishes! 🙂
I hope you stick to this premise. Politics is no fun but the office is great for laughs. I was a prisoner of organized commerce for over forty years and finally won my freedom. I wish you well.
Thank you John. I was young. I was foolish. Coming off a bruising 20+ years in corporate life, I had a lot of corporate mantras to share which is how this blog started and was named almost 5 years back. Current events and politics have since taken centre-stage. Leaders of all shapes are my favourite people, especially political, business and religious.
When I left the corporate world I was old, seasoned, and very much wiser. Politics of late is something I want to avoid. I have yet to see those involved as anything but bottom feeders focused on self promotion. The voices of reason should be congratulated for speaking out. You have my best wishes.
That seems accurate. Always wondered why we don’t see doctors, scientists, armymen, teachers, et al participating in electoral politics in any significant way.
They are well educated or very wise.
am much enjoying your site 🙂
Thank you! I am honoured. For some reason your Comment landed up in the Spam box, hence the delay in responding. Hopefully future Comments will now land in the correct place.
A great “about” page. We are a strange lot aren’t we and there is never a loss for something to laugh or cry about. Looking forward to reading more on your site.
Thank you! For stopping by and for your comment.
HI
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and joining in the share
Trina
You are welcome Trina. I should be thanking you for giving such opportunities to bloggers.
Not at all,I love it
Hello Ankur, my friend with a wry sense of humour,
Could you email me your home address please—if you don’t mind? I like to mail to you a print copy of my new novel Song of the Ankle Rings. It will ship direct from either Amazon UK or USA.
You’ve been very supportive and offered great encouragement with your comments on my blog posts regarding this novel. Please allow me to do this.
You can see my yahoo email address linked to my comment.
Thank you,
Eric
I am honoured by your offer Eric. Will give you the address if there is a way of getting a signed copy from you 😉 Else, pls don’t bother. It is available on Amazon in India as well. I will get a copy directly. All the best for the book.
Dear Ankur,
You never fail to impress with your posts and your replies.
I did not know the print copy was already available in India. I used Amazon USA and… well, have yet to figure out how the gnomes in Amazon work. Amazon is living up to their name – they amaze. Yes, I know. I’m stretching it some. LOL.
In that case, wait till I’m famous. Then, I’ll surely send you a signed copy. Or, if I visit India sooner—a better chance than becoming a famous author—I’ll catch up with your suggestion.
I’m also offering free downloads of the book until Monday 11 Feb. If you wish, download here > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NDPN6RN
Thank you my friend,
Eric
good writing with touch of humor and wit
nice!
Thanks! Glad you liked what you saw 🙂