Confessions of a Twenty-something Temp

Even though I have had lots of free time and the need for diversion, I haven't blogged in over a week. The reasons are two: the internet has been out at our hotel, and I've been working as a temp. Now before you think that my temporary employment has been so consuming that I couldn't possibly get a blog in edgewise, think again. I just didn't want anyone looking over my shoulder. Especially since those shoulder overlookers were exactly who I wanted to describe. And it was unclear to me whether or not I was allowed to do personal things when I didn't have anything else to do. I decided that discreetly checking my email was acceptable, but I'd better leave it at that. Better to ask forgiveness...

For the past seven business days, I worked as a temp at the temp agency itself; their receptionist was getting married and going on her honeymoon. Their office is only a few minutes' walk from our hotel, so it worked out quite nicely. So, after such a long and distinguished career, I am fully qualified to offer my certified opinion on [insert name of company here-I don't want any curious googlers ending up at my blog].

The whole experience was enlightening in several ways. First, I have never worked in a small office or at any other kind of "desk job" (not that I haven't spent plenty of rear end-widening hours seated at a desk). I feel I have a much better personal understanding of the accuracy of The Office. [insert name of company here] consists of Mom and Dad, who are away in Indiana half the year, Big Sister Boss, Little Sister Peon (or at least gets treated like one), Chain-smoking Bookkeeper, and Smooth-talking Sales Guy. Sales Guy got fired on my second to last day. It was pretty awkward and sad. Along the same lines, there seemed to be other employees who exist but may or may not be coming back to work. No one explained to me why they were gone, but I was supposed to check their email accounts and delete their junk mail. Personal theory: they were scared away by Big Sister Boss, so they didn't bother to come back and clean out their things.

Also, I have complained my fair share about unfriendly receptionists who don't seem to like people, even though their job description demands interpersonal contact. Having never worked as a receptionist myself, I was for the first time faced with the pressure: What if I am one of those receptionists that someone else will compain about? Can I deal with people all day? Even weird people? Rude people? Dumb people? Well, my own opinion is certainly unbiased, and I think I passed the test. I was friendly, polite, and efficient in fielding calls. Even the weird ones. And there are actually a lot of those at a temporary staffing agency. Here's my favorite:

Receptionist: Good morning, [insert company name]. How can I help you?
Caller: Yeah, I'm looking for work.
Receptionist: What kind of position are you interested in?
Caller: Dealing.

-Awkward pause-

Receptionist (thinking to herself, Uhh, we don't make those kinds of placements...): Excuse me?
Caller: Blackjack.
Receptionist: Right. One moment please.

I also learned a very important life lesson: if you are Little Sister Peon, don't work for Big Sister Boss. She's just going to walk all over you. And yell at you in front of the whole office staff. And then ask you to go with her to lunch like you're b.f.f.'s and she didn't just yell at you. And if you are Big Sister Boss, cut it out. Life is too short to take yourself so seriously. Your business isn't that cool.

When Big Sister was yelling at Little Sister, I had two conscious thoughts: first, I thought, I better not do anything to make Big Sister mad. But immediately I realized that, joy of joys, I'm just a temp. If she freaks out on me, I can just leave. And tell her not to take herself so seriously. And have my paycheck mailed.

But don't worry, it never came to that. In fact, Big Sister took Friday off. Funny how much more relaxed everyone seemed in her absence.