Are you afraid of being marginalized?
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
Singapore
August 20, 2010 2:25am CST
In the office, sometimes there are people who are not so well liked by others because they might have some faults, i.e, the outcasts. Do you mind making friends with them and risked being treated as an outcast too? Or would you conform to the mainstream and persecute the outcasts?
4 responses
@picjim (3002)
• India
20 Aug 10
In an office one has to get work done through everyone.So i don't think its possible to ignore a few and get work done through the others.As there has to be reciprocation between employees one has to be cordial and get work done through them.But this doesn't mean i'll go out of my way to help the black sheep unless i feel they have been unfairly treated.
1 person likes this
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
20 Aug 10
Hi picjim,
Thanks for the response! I agree that cooperation is very much needed but I have seen some quarrels in the office that are so bad that they are treating each other as transparent. Although the problems between them are best left to them, it could be difficult for people who has to work with both sides.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
20 Aug 10
Saph,
I have not thought of the outcasts as fun people. 
I seemed always to attract the outcasts because I will not ostracise them. They would tell me a lot of the problems they are facing. I try to lend a listening ear to them. I wonder if it could be because I am an outcast too. If I find some people's character too frivolous or malicious, I would not associate with them too closely, just maintain a colleague-gy relationship. So, mainstream people, i.e, those who are gossipy and well versed in the art of office politics, do not accept me in their group.
I seemed always to attract the outcasts because I will not ostracise them. They would tell me a lot of the problems they are facing. I try to lend a listening ear to them. I wonder if it could be because I am an outcast too. If I find some people's character too frivolous or malicious, I would not associate with them too closely, just maintain a colleague-gy relationship. So, mainstream people, i.e, those who are gossipy and well versed in the art of office politics, do not accept me in their group. @Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
20 Aug 10
hi bluemoonpavilion When I was working last in the library I was kind and friendly to all. If we had anyone whom could be called an outcast I sure did not know it as I got along well with all of my coworkers. Sometimes I think that we are just too d arned quick to make cliques even in the workplace and pigeonhole 
those not in our clique as outcasts as though we did not have any faults. my G we are humans and humans are not perfect and some of t he so called out casts come up to be much nicer kinder and yes better people than those perfect ones in the clique. no I do not make differences in people where I have worked. I made friends with all my coworkers. If I was treated as an outcast I just considered who was doing the treating, and felt very sorry for them as nobody is prefect, they just think they are.
those not in our clique as outcasts as though we did not have any faults. my G we are humans and humans are not perfect and some of t he so called out casts come up to be much nicer kinder and yes better people than those perfect ones in the clique. no I do not make differences in people where I have worked. I made friends with all my coworkers. If I was treated as an outcast I just considered who was doing the treating, and felt very sorry for them as nobody is prefect, they just think they are.@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Aug 10
oh let me t ell you about our managers son. she treaded water with him as he had epilesy.well okaybut he was also a total jerk. He did only what he liked to do and if we had a flood of books to put away he meandered into the inner office to bug the clerks at their computers. So when a certain project his mom had given him failed he told her he had given it to me, not so.I knew nothing about it, and told his mom the truth. I was sure I would be fired as he was her only child. but not so, she said, thank you Patsie for telling me the truth. You can go now and t hanks. whew what a relief. then she closed the door and I could hear her yelling at him so I just w alked away. the next day Junior did not come back to work. she had sent him t o work with his dad. poor dad. lol NO I was not a bit noble with him. He was a real jerk.good looking but still a little brat.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
21 Aug 10
What a sneaky thing to do, trying to frame others! Luckily you have a fair manager who does not practise favouritism. I suppose she is familiar with his tricks. I hope the dad gives him a hard time to knock some sense into him and train him to be responsible.
Luckily you have a fair manager who does not practise favouritism. I suppose she is familiar with his tricks. I hope the dad gives him a hard time to knock some sense into him and train him to be responsible.@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
20 Aug 10
Hi Hatley,
It must be great to work with you, I like the friendly attitude you have towards your colleagues. I have met some people in my office like you and I really enjoy being in their company. As for feeling sorry for them...I'm not so noble...
1 person likes this
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
20 Aug 10
There are definitely some of these "outcasts" in every office, it is just how ostracised they are by others and their standing in the organisation.
Personally I will just do what needs to be done and move on with the job, to achieve my deliverable. After all, this is an office which needs to deliver.
Conforming to the mainstreat and persecuting the "outcasts" is not an option for me.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
20 Aug 10
carp,
I see you have prioritized work over office politics. Good for you! I guess acting normal to people, be they mainstream or sidestream, is the key to be neutral and not get embroiled in the whirlpool.
