Penelope

You know I always find these little things one is supposed to know perplexing. It's not like anyone tells you what they are sure you already know. Our society is full of them and I've just uncovered a few more recently.

Like: How the hell was I to know that during a write off there is an 'unwritten' rule that one should not comment until the end of the week? I'd been politely replying to all of the feedback blissfully unaware I was making faux pas instead of foi gras.

Last night I was assisting a couple of women in contract interpretation when I got blindsided by an irrelevant question. When I pointed out that the issue being discussed had nothing to do with that, I apparently miffed the inquirer. When she privately pointed that out to me, I offered to make amends by clarifying my respect of her as a person. She was grateful and mollified. Is there an unwritten rule that I must be forgiving of distractions when I am focused?

Work has a lot of unwritten rules that are ignored all the time. Like, don't eat with the boss. Everyone says one thing and does another. They point at others who are doing the same thing they are in a derisive way. There is an unwritten rule that no one can have cell phones on the work floor. A complete joke! My coworkers cell goes off nonstop and he carries on long conversations while on the 'work' floor. He doesn't have the skills to work and talk at the same time. I don't really care but why claim there is a rule about it? Then there is the rule about coming into work. We must show our ID. No matter that the security guard is bored and reading a paper. Just try skimming by without showing it and some supervisor will remind you about the rule.

I'm only writing this because my ability to respond to comments is thwarted by an unwritten rule I am now following. I hope I don't get so anal about it that I then tsk tsk when some other poor sod goes ahead and acts in the normal way.

unwritten rules .. blah

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"Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do." Ronald Reagan ~ 1981

Poetry Editor @ Sacred Twilight

Kitten Courna

Since when did that become an unwritten rule of the write off? I never believed it so, and wouldn't now, so if anyone chastized you, and ignore it, do as you like as well as you trust yourself. The rest of them I'm afraid I have no experience with...cell phones and IDs, at least. The boss thing is something usually used a taboo here to prevent interoffice personal relationships, and to make sure there can be no unfounded accusations against either the boss' or the employee's reputation (favoritism and the like, you know).

Though it sounds like you're just angry for the moment. In relief, I will offer that you should just go ahead and respond, it's no taboo in my book.

-Kitten

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Cadmus: Poor child, like a white swan warding its weak old father, why do you clasp those white arms about my neck?
Euripides; 'The Bacchae'

Penelope

nah - I'm not annoyed .. just wondering about unwritten rules and I believe I read it here some where .. can't remember. I got upset about breaking a rule I didn't know existed.

__________________
"Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do." Ronald Reagan ~ 1981

Poetry Editor @ Sacred Twilight

northerain

i think that was me.But i dont really think it;s a rule.I kinda made it up.Lol.So sorry!

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Portfolio: http://vonhelvete.com

Penelope

Was it you? I couldn't remember - I noticed other Write Off participants waiting until the end too. I am not blaming anyone and somehow it seems more interesting to read the comments without my feedback. I do know the answers but maybe, and I think Kitten said this, I can have my say anytime. It was during my last write off that I began to really notice. Perhaps because in my first one, Jasmine (who was on the podium as well) was the first to comment. I can use this thread as my babble outlet for the week.
I liked the topic given and considered three avenues to pursue. I wrote three very different poems on the subject and have submitted the other two as well. The others will come up sooner or later. I didn't realize there would be such a wide diversity of opinions about my submission and I'm puzzling about it. No big deal and it's the wonder of reader's views that delights me. (even when they don't like it)

__________________
"Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do." Ronald Reagan ~ 1981

Poetry Editor @ Sacred Twilight

TimK

Speaking of unwritten rules (not having anything to do with the write-off or eating with the boss or being annoyed), this story I read today seemed relevant. "Inappropriate Behavior" by Pat Murphy: http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/orig...y/murphy1.html

I'll definitely have to check out some of her other work, too.

-TimK

Kitten Courna

I delayed my comments from my very first Write Off to improve my manners, and so as not to effect opinion. I didn't figure I'd ever be able to respond to everyone reading my work should it ever appear in real life. Plus, I have hair trigger replies at times, especially time in which there is something at stake (be it a silly number or general opinion or whatever), an knew myself enough to know I shouldn't allow that in a public posty thingie. For Pen, if I may address as if you won't read this, things are certainly different! So go forth, and reply to every comment, baptising them in the name of every one of your creative sensibilities.

-Kitten

PS: polluting the readers' views was also a concern. I'd rather not tamper with them.

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Cadmus: Poor child, like a white swan warding its weak old father, why do you clasp those white arms about my neck?
Euripides; 'The Bacchae'

Penelope

Kitten: I noticed you didn't comment even before you commented on not commenting.
I respected you immensely for your self control. It's something I should aspire to as well. Talk about hair trigger! ka boom! lol It's really nice to know I'm not alone. I recall getting annoyed with Jasmine's fella for swooping in during our write off. It surprised the hell out of me. I'd never thought about the extended community and how much people care about people. Looking back on it, I chuckle to myself about that. It really was charming but I felt Jasmine was doing just fine without it.
So, even though you are encouraging me, out of deep respect for you, I am going to stick with my initial decision. my respected co write off participant isn't commenting other than when he gallantly complained about 'unknown' scoring my poem with a zero. What a gent.
You also said it was more of a learning experience. I agree with you on that. It seems no one has 'got' why I used so much punctuation. My explanation could have clarified that, but it's obvious that if I used this poem in another spot I would edit them out. So, I respect their right to point out a flaw in how I tried to get the idea across.

__________________
"Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do." Ronald Reagan ~ 1981

Poetry Editor @ Sacred Twilight