DAYS EIGHT & NINE - WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

the last two weeks have been draining. thus, i am more than ready to close the subject, and move on.

wednesay morning, i'd sent out my email message to upper-management, and my coworkers. i didn't want anyone to be left out of the drama oppressing the tiny office.

tall-man and i entered the conference room to discuss my grievances. if i may say so myself, i believe that i wrote a concise and objective argument.

tall-man acknowledged my concerns and assured me that he would look into the situation. he also noted that he now understands why i had asked for my job description. he indicated that he would like for us to sit down with gm and have a formal discussion on thursday, when gm returned to the office. he chuckled as he re-read the last paragraph in my email that proclaimed, "...perhaps some stress management courses or counseling may be beneficial to him. if this continues, i can assure you that the morale of this environment will remain very low." the "him" i refer to is none other than our illustrious boss2.

so i waited.

thursday morning, gm beckoned tall-man and me to enter his office. the door closed behind me, and i sat on the brand new leather couch, across from the two of them. i consciously curbed the nervous fidgeting and poised myself with as much confidence that i could muster.

the meeting commenced with gm's explanation of how japanese companies do not appreciate such acts as emailing grievances to everyone in the office. he especially emphasized that such direct contact with the general manager is taboo. gm went as far as calling himself "untouchable".

fine. let him ride his high horse. i have no doubt that he worked quite hard to be in this position. i was however, a bit peeved by his need to cling onto the notion that the company is "japanese". aren't we in america? dealing with american people? we are not "doing life" as salary men nor office ladies. i know that i am not capable of changing the entire company policy, but it's also very frustrating to see them...stuck...in traditions.

gm also noted, that things like email, are in print, and that it will be recorded. i acknowledged with confidence, since i knew that the content of the email was carefully written. throughout my meeting, it became more and more evident, that although the upper management appeared to be concerned with the well-being of it's employees, they are not willing to take simple advice from a little girl like me, who does not carry with her any status. they realize that boss2 has family issues that is being brought into the workplace, but they are also not willing to advise him.

what gm did caution, is for boss2 to be a bit more considerate to those in his vicinity. he made it clear that his loud outbursts can impede important phone conversations. when gm parted from boss2's office, i could have sworn that i heard him sniffling. for an unbelievable moment, i heard him honk into his handkerchief like a hurt little boy.

i concluded that there is too much muck for me to wade through alone, and i am well aware that i cannot expect or count on raver mommy or mommy two to stand alongside me in a fight that may jeopardize their family income.

if i can take away anything from this experience, it is pride for taking a stand, and making myself heard. it's a great feeling to have accomplished something, no matter how small it may be.