So Long…Big Guy!

A memo went up this week that a staffer was leaving for a new job. The guy’s name didn’t ring a bell but considering which supervisor wrote the memo and a few other details, I was pretty sure I had figured out who it was. In my mind he’s known as “Buff grumpy guy who never speaks”.

I used to think it was just me. I would say “good morning!” to him in the hallway and get a blank look in return. No nod. No smile – God forbid he should smile! And not a single uttered word, ever. Then one day when our editor Betty and I were leaving after our show, we both chimed a “good morning!” to him in the hallway and got nothing in return. We agreed to give it up. That’s how he became “buff grumpy guy who never speaks” in my head.

One of the Fan 590 guys came into the kitchen when I was perusing buff grumpy guy’s memo and I asked him if my description was apt. Yes, he agreed, that was probably the same guy. Now that he’s leaving, I finally know his name and what he does. Apparently he’s very good at his job and well liked. Who knew?

If I had a dime for every time I had to approach an intern or part-timer and introduce myself, I would have almost enough to buy a Frappucino. People come, they go, and many are too timid to make the first move at introducing themselves. I understand that. I don’t mind making the first move. But then there are those we see in the hallway, who have no direct bearing on our jobs and we either find out their names by osmosis or on their goodbye memos. I have to admit that there are a few whom I’ve met whose names still escape me and now – 7 years into my tenure at Rogers – it’s way too late to ask.

So, good luck buff grumpy guy! Think about tossing a “good morning” or a “yo” or an ungrumpy nod out to a colleague or two at your new place, even if they have nothing to do with your job and you don’t care to ever know them. They’re not going to start stalking you. They don’t want to be your friend. They just want to make the workplace a little bit friendlier and perhaps, while you’re working there, they’d like to know your name.