Do you like being made into a big deal?
By raychill
@raychill (6525)
United States
September 19, 2007 2:47pm CST
So, I've been at my current job for 5 and a half years. Every November there is a "Service Awards Ceremony" where people who have been working here for 5, 10, 15, ...etc. years.
When you receive your award it comes in parts. First, in September you get a certificate, invitation to the awards, booklet of a gift that you may choose and a fancy little keychain.
Apparently, My Department Supervisor was planning to make a big to-do out of presenting it to me and the person receiving his 10 year award. Unfortunately the person receiving his 10 year is my ex-boyfriend. So how crappy would that have been for us both to have a big to-do together!?
Fortunately my direct supervisor, who knows I hate big deals being made of things, intervened and she quietly gave me mine. (My ex got his 10 year at a department meeting that I fortunately didn't attend).
Now all that's left is to big a gift (I don't know what to choose!) and to go to the awards ceremony. I don't really want to go, but my supervisors really want to and want me to so I'm giving in and going.
See, I'm not one who likes a big deal being made out of things. I don't like parties, whether it be for a good thing or my birthday. I don't like celebrations. Heck I don't even like when people notice I did something different to my hair or wore a nice outfit. I don't know why, it's just not something I'm into.
and Don't think it's cause I'm some wallflower, cause trust me... I ain't anywhere close to a wallflower!
So what about you?
Do you love a fuss being made over you?
or do you prefer, like me, to just go about the day without it being a big deal?
3 people like this
9 responses
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
20 Sep 07
We're so much alike it's disgusting. I HATE any kind of attention being drawn to me. I don't like parties, and I don't party...cause you know I'm lame and a huge homebody. I'm not a wallflower either, but I prefer the quiet life, ya know? No muss, no fuss type of thing.
Your ceremony sounds like the child care awards ceremony we have. We get these fancy little packets of crap and everything. They make a huge to do out of it. When I got my award for 'Teacher of the Year', I wasn't even there. I didn't even know anything about the award. I wouldn't have gone anyway more than likely. I hate getting up in front of big groups.
I didn't know your ex had been at the library for that long. Did he get you the job there? Is this the thing you were telling me about being able to pick a Wii?
1 person likes this
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Ha! I forgot to mention how much I hate restaurant birthday songs!!! I've never been sung to before because I always threaten to walk out if the singers are called to our table. I hate people crowding around me and singing 'Happy Birthday'. Bah.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
20 Sep 07
haha. We're so gross! Ewwww. OBFF (online best friend forevah! ha ha)
No My ex and I only ever knew each other from work. and dating people you work with is stupid. My head knew that, but your head doesn't always control you. ha ha. I can't wait until I can find another job and NOT have to see his face everyday. bah.
But yeah, this isn't the same thing as the Wii. That's something else. I do get to pick a pretty decent prize. like jewelry or something. I just can't decide what to get yet and I have like a week to pick!
I hate the restaurant birthday things too! I've actually yelled at the waiters before that I swore I'd walk out if they sang to me. I HATE it. I actually walked away from my co-workers this year when they tried to do the happy birthday thing with cake for me. I felt terrible but I TOLD them for like a month straight I didn't want a fuss and they STILL did it. and I was like man, It's my birthday I shouldn't feel terrible! It was like the worst day ever. I almost broke down in tears. bah. I hated turning 25 and I definitely didn't want it to be a fuss.
I just wanna be left alone to my lame homebody self!
and my NKOTB!
@bravenewworld (746)
• United States
19 Sep 07
That's an interesting story. How something meant to be a reward actually feels more like a kind of punishment. Not to mention, the perils of work relationships. Of course, the big gift has to be good thing. Anyway, I hate any kind of big deal being made over me. I cringe, I'm mortified. But then, I think I am a wallflower. :)
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Yeah. Well, I mean my story was just to give an example to wonder whether others hate big deals as I do.
So you don't like them either? Oh man, one of the worst things to me in the world is when it's your birthday and everyone gathers around and sings Happy Birthday to yoU! Do you agree!?
@bravenewworld (746)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Yes, totally agree. I'm unsure why exactly. Certainly I don't like to be the focus of attention. But it's more than that. Maybe it's partly because my birthday isn't that big a deal for me. I'm never sure how to react in this or similar situations. It just feels fake.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
20 Sep 07
yeah. I always yell at my parents cause they threw my brother a surprise party for his 21st and i barely got acknowledged yet alone a surprise party. But at the same time I'd die if anyone ever through me a surprise party! you just never win. I wonder what a psychologist would say about this!
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
20 Sep 07
I like recognition - a 'thank you' or a 'good work' is sufficient. A raise is extra nice. I don't like a big deal being made out of me.
(I do like making a big deal out of other people, but none of the people I know like a big deal being made out of them, either).
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Recognition is nice. Oh man...You don't even wanna hear about my raises. I don't get them anymore! Once you reach a certain point in the pay scale you get no more raises. I reached that point about two years ago!
I think it is a nice feeling to be able to make a big deal out of someone. It's sad that it's not something that everyone, like me, likes and I feel bad when I let someone down who wanted to cause a big deal.
Have they ever hurt you when not liking a big deal you made of them?
@wotfpatty (2065)
• United States
20 Sep 07
I don't like big deals made out of anything having to do with me. Birthdays or whatever, I prefer to keep very low key. If I win an award or something, I also very much prefer to just move along without fanfare. Heck, I got married in my house in a surprise Christmas Eve wedding to avoid the whole real wedding thing and all that attention focused on me.
I do have to say that I don't mind a bit when I go out and am paid attention to though. I am a Leo and I enjoy the attention when I feel like it. I am also very much not a wallflower but I don't like the spotlight on me most of the time.
I didn't even celebrate my birthday at all in August and my sisters are screaming that they want to take me out and give my gifts and make a big deal out of it and shudder. I don't like it. But I will go eventually and get through it.
Congrats on your award! :)
@raychill (6525)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Thanks. I'm not really proud to be at my job for five years, so I don't know. But you know, it's the longest job I've ever had so I guess that's something to be proud of.
I feel you. I'm a gemini, so I'm crazy with multiple personalities which would explain probably why I'm not a wallflower and yet an attention getter. I've always been "well-known" ha ha. But yeah I totally hate having a fuss over me!
If I ever get married, I'd love to have a wedding like you did. Low key. But I know it'll be such a huge deal to my parents it'll have to be a big hoorah. I'm 25 and single, no where close to marriage which my parents wished I would have been like 5 years ago with 4 kids already.
@Buggheart (445)
• United States
21 Sep 07
I am the exact same way! As outgoing and silly as I can be in public or at work, I don't like for a big deal to be made about me or parties or anything like that. In my family it's OK but at work or in my band or other places it just bothers me to be singled out so everyone can gawk at me. ~shudder~ Ick.
Congrats on the anniversary and I hope they don't make a big deal about it. That's great that your supervisor respected your wishes and presented part of it to you in private. :)
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
21 Sep 07
Thanks. I really don't want to go to my awards ceremony but I get free breakfast. Apparently that's what is supposed to make me want to go because that's what everyone says when I say "i don't know if I'm going to go."
I don't even like my family to make a big deal out of things...fortunately they don't! It is really weird to be singled out suddenly and get all this attention for something... even if it is something great!
thanks again!
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
20 Sep 07
Hiya Raychill,
Well if this makes any sense, I do, of course like to be noticed and all, but I dont like it to be overwhelming! lol You know? It cant help but make me feel good when I get recognition for something, but to be placed at the center of attention is something I dont like either. Im outgoing and fun and love to socialize and interact with people, but I dont want the spotlight on me at any time! So I can understand where your coming from. I would want to just do things lightly with few people involved.
You never know though, you might just really enjoy yourself at your award ceremony. Congratulations!!
Bay xx
1 person likes this
@disvachic (10117)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I've been with my company 4 and half years and we have the something similar to yours.For employees five years and longer they get a special gift.Its my turn next year and I really dont want to show up.I think its because im a shy type of person.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
25 Sep 07
if people around me would notice changes i made with myself, like hair cut, clothing style, or anything with my appearance, i dont mind. actually, i am pleased when they praise me and flatter me. LOL
now about work, that's where i dont want to be made into a big deal. i dont like being praised over my work. i get a few sometimes and i admit i feel a little flattered. but more than being flattered, i feel embarassed and scared. coz i feel like, every praise or flattery is equal to a lot of expectations and more responsibilities. im a happy-go-lucky girl and i dont need someone or anyone adding worries to my life. ^__^;;
about receiving awards.. i dont mind going to a party and receiving the award but i wouldnt want for it to last. its okay for me if they call my name and hand me the award and that's it. no more speech, no more greetings, no more anything... ^__^;; i dont want to stay on the stage for a long period of time!
@raychill (6525)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I don't think I've ever dealt well with flattery. I've always been weirded out by it. But that's cool. ha ha. yeah it is no good to be on "stage" for a long period of time. A short "hey that's great' but no awards ceremony or big presentation for me!
1 person likes this
@vashstampede992000 (2560)
• Philippines
25 Sep 07
Hi there, what's been up to lately buddy?
Well i do love participating in such events like that even it's a big deal, as long as i can do it, i would love to do it.
In your case, your ex was a part also of that big deals huh? and so you don't really like attending that coz of your ex?
Why, does it hurts still? You guys haven't moved on?
Well, i understand if you guys don't totally moved on yet.
Have a nice day ahead and happy posting and earning here in myLot.
Godspeed,
Kiko
@raychill (6525)
• United States
25 Sep 07
Well. No I don't like being made into a big deal period. I don't like birthday parts or congrats or anything like that. I'd rather just live my life without the hooplah.
As far as the ex. I've moved on. He probably has too. doesn't make it easy to work with each other.
