Don
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| Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:20 am A matter of disgust |
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What would an agony aunt say if you wrote in to complain that you have had words with some of your colleagues at work and that they don’t want to hang out with you anymore? Probably some nice mundane thing as “talk to them, find out what has made them act the way they did and find a way to resolve the matter because a peaceful working environment is essential to productivity and peace of mind.”
On second thought, not such a silly idea, is it? That’s pretty much what all self-help books say. I know sometimes they write the weirdest thing but I am sure almost all the advice you’ll get on this particular matter will range from “ignore them. You know what you are worth and that’s what matters” to “be nice!” Oh, maybe some books might over-react and advise you to “leave your job and find a nicer place to work” - (which might not be such a bad idea after all) - but that’s as far as it will go, in terms of extreme advice, right?
Wrong. Someone advised former opposition leader Paul Bérenger, as a result of people not wanting to hang out with him, to… stop going to work. Not “leave your job and get another one” or anything, simply… “Sulk and don’t go to work. If people ask, tell them you’re revolted and have decided to stay at home. And if they don’t like it, tell them it’s tough luck.”
No, no, no, I am not making this up. Mr Bérenger said so himself in a revolting statement to the press. He said he was so “disgusted” with “certain things” that he cannot pretend it is “business as usual” and so he has decided not to go to Parliament anymore. That’s it. No excuses, no justifications - clearly he doesn’t think he owes anyone any – and no apologies.
Now, my own self-help book tells me that when you are paid to do a job, you do it. Regardless of whether you like your workmates, of whether you like your boss, of whether you like your job. Any agony aunt, any advisor and any benefactor worth their salt will tell you this.
Now, maybe Mr Bérenger is reading this and thinking, “yes, well you and I do different jobs.” Yes indeed. But you, Mr Bérenger, are paid by the taxpayer’s money and have been elected by the people to represent their interests in Parliament. And you can’t even do that? You decide that you’re so disgusted with what your former mates are doing that you cannot even be bothered to go to work?
The same person who made such a big deal because the prime minister refused to recall Parliament earlier than scheduled, now decides to boycott parliament? And refuses to be a voice for the people who have lovingly voted for him in the only way he can?
Have values gone to the dogs to such an extent that the principle that, when you take someone’s money at the end of every month, you do what is required of you has now become completely obsolete?
In case it has, let me ask the question in a crass way : does the pay cheque not disgust you, Mr Bérenger?
Deepa Bhookhun |
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