April has been a hectic month. 3 weeks in China and only a week in M’sia. I thought things would change for the better — but apparently, in most parts, it hasn’t.
At work, the act of selfishness has become more and more apparent in the behaviors of practically every human. By every human, I mean every single freaking human — Asians AND Westerners. It has become so apparent that things at work have become rather personal — it’s no longer just business, it’s personal. I had my share of being forced to work with a pool of Americans who were practically selfish jerks. Were they behaving like this before the whole economic crisis? No (or at least it wasn’t apparent). Why are they behaving like this now? To survive — to make sure that we Asians, the cheap labors, do not take over their job, with the company still actively running the cutting cost activities.
When I reflect on the whole situation, is there really a need to be this selfish? I was talking to a manager a couple of days back and he was telling me that the situation in the states is really bad. Everything is filled with negativity. The media is practically reporting negative stuff everyday. I bet with the recent Swine flu outbreak, it will not make the situation any better. Nevertheless, at this point, would being selfish help? Shouldn’t we throw individualism out the door and start behaving like collectivist in some ways? Shouldn’t we stick together, and try to break through this huge obstacle — TOGETHER?
I’m not saying that I’m absolutely correct. These are just my thoughts and how I would feel. As I’ve mentioned before in one of my previous post, I’m watching my spending as well. This economic downturn is impacting me one way or another. I have commitments most recently that is somewhat stressing me out in terms of monetary as well. But no matter how bad the situation, I don’t believe being selfish would help. Yes, it is a bad time. But I’m sure there is still some amount of light in this bad moments. Why should we start building these walls around us, start being defensive and practice individualism more than we use to? I thought it should be a time to help one another. Being selfish wouldn’t help in making project succeed at work. It just makes it the more difficult to work as a team. It flushes success down the toilet.
Maybe, I’m still naive to believe that there is a slightest chance for people to be not all that selfish, especially during bad times. True colors were surfaced during these couple of weeks and it is not a pleasant sight. In fact, it’s nasty. The workplace is now a war arena. I go to work packed with a gun filled with bullets. Camouflage attire is optional though. But most of all, I feel horrible. It is bad enough to have a sucky job, but to top it up with sucky attitudes around me in every single project that I’m working on right now — it is a feeling no word can describe. I guess that’s why I’m so physically AND mentally drained out.
It is a tough time for most of us. I hope everyone pulls through. I still believe that God would not give us something that we cannot handle. I know mel believes in that too.
As for my personal life…
*shrug*. Nothing much to say there. And today is the last day of April. 4 months has gone by in 2009. Has things gone better?
Dreaming of a break.
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