Social Gripe #3: Egocentrics - Part A: Workplace

I think I'm ready to start griping again and I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  I've been trying to keep a positive attitude, thus the lack of "gripes", but I'm ready to complain again (human nature, right?).  This series of posts shall focus on the Egocentrics - the most annoying group of people in my opinion.  I present to you a list of annoying Egocentric character-types from the Workplace:

1.  Hand-Raisers - These are the people that must raise their hand in every class, presentation, meeting, etc.  They usually have nothing important to say but they have this strange urge to hear themselves talk (usually a result of their own stupidity or insecurity issues).  My Advice: Open your Hears and Shut Up!!

2.  Yappers - Continuation of #1.  These are the people who not only raise their hand, but proceed to give the entire audience a complete recap of the session through the use of a dumb question or complaint about a totally insignificant minute detail.  Please Shut Up and spare all of us from your useless dribble.

3.  Control Freaks - One Word: Trust.  The world won't end if you let somebody else complete a task.  Give people an opportunity to succeed, and they might surprise you - loosening your grip might even make your job easier in the immediate or near future. 

4.  Micro-Managers - If you are a boss and you check on your employee's work status more than once a day, then you are a micro-manager.  Learn to trust your employees.  Micro-managing is bad for an employee's psyche and their productivity usually suffers in the long run because of your constant pestering.

5.  Workaholics - For all of you that work for Uncle Sam: 9 to 5 means you should show up for work at 9am and leave at 5pm.  You are only getting paid for those hours, so there is no need to stay until 8pm to check email and find new ways to annoy others.  Simple Motto: Work to Live, not Live to Work.

6.  Self-Professed "Intellectuals" - Those of you that speak to your co-workers with "big" words from your 1600 SAT vocabulary fall into this category.  You are not smarter than somebody just because you use "big" words.  In my opinion, you are the dumb one because you only feel good when you are using your vast vocabulary in an attempt to demean others.  Get over yourself and try to act normal!!  Life Goal: Instead of being a selfish jerk, try to make people feel good about themselves before stroking your massive vocabulary ego.

Stay tuned for future posts on other types of Egocentrics...