In the corporate jungle, there are some things you quickly learn. Like how to handle awkward conversations that usually happen when you're about to enter the toilet and someone comes out of it, and you're supposed to hold a conversation because you've seen each other and you can't pretend you didn't, but you can't really hold a long one because you're holding something else, which was why you needed the toilet in the first place.
Usually I just make it a plain and simple affair, like "hey you also using the toilet ah", which I have to admit is pretty lame because of how rhetorical it is. But hey, anything to diffuse the tension and awkwardness. And this is also the time when I notice sometimes that my colleagues have extremely dry hands. Which means only one thing.
They didn't wash.
Yes, very disgusting. I make it a point not to ever shake hands with such people.
Other things that happen are the unwritten laws that I observe seem to pervade the workplace. Just last week I had to settle disagreements that went along the lines of something like this. That something that has been done in a certain way for a number of years is in fact codified as law, and cannot be changed, even if you cannot remember the reason it was done as such in the first place.
It gets extremely annoying when you realise you have to push for the change because it streamlines work processes, but some obdurate old donkey who refuses to let go of his methods of doing things insists on keeping the status quo. Soon it becomes apparent that what is really transpiring is the fundamental conflict of every workplace, the new replacing the old. The old dude is using his "experience" to try and influence the new guy, who will have none of it because times have changed and well, the old guy is becoming increasingly irrelevant and knows it to be so, and he fears it because he can feel the blade of the chopping board hovering ever that much closer to the hairs on his neck.
I'm not saying that I'm being a petulant upstart who insists on having his way, upsetting all the old staff. That would pretty much ensure a quick and painful exit from any workplace, because seniority still matters. However, much of the time, the onus for the change is driven by market forces, and I'm just the person who has to do the unpleasant task of communicating it to the comfortable ones who don't wish to see change. The market is unforgiving, and those who don't move along with it will inevitably get left behind.
The most important thing I've learnt so far though, is how to make an exit from the workplace when you are done for the day, but your colleagues still have work to do and are hence working overtime for no extra pay. Because in the name of solidarity, you should be offering to help, but honestly, it's not really your work. Sometimes you've just got to know when to avoid work that isn't supposed to be yours.
I just shut down my computer, and scoot off quickly. And make sure you say your goodbyes real loud and clear, and throw in some crap like "see you tomorrow" with a big smile, so it seems like you're being cordial and not trying to escape. Always works like a charm.