Quarantine Series: The Office
The Quarantine Life for someone like me, the introvert and hermit, has been a relatively seamless adjustment. Staying in for weeks at a time have had minimal disruption to my work style or mental well-being (this could also be a delusion of grandeur). As the “end to quarantine” for a return to normal feels less and less imminent, even as cities and states reopen, I started to ponder, were there aspects of the office day that I missed? I surprised even myself after giving it some thought — seems what I most often dreaded are, in fact, what I most nostalgically yearn for now.
7:00 Alarm
Wake up, brush my teeth, put on contacts, brush my hair, put on make-up. Change into a work outfit (dress, blazer, necklace, ring, earrings). Grab my packed lunch from weekend meal prep, shoulder my purse, slip on some flats and out the door — keys, wallet, phone check.
I walk to the office. [Full details in “The Morning Ritual”]
The Elevators — Usually a daily dilemma, waiting for the elevators, along with 6 or so other colleagues who are equally groggy, haven’t had a coffee yet, and generally avoiding eye contact, pretending to be very focused on their phones. Yet here we are standing clustered together, eager for the ding that finally arrives. We all shuffle in, very well balancing adequate personal space and weight distribution in the elevator car, some brief smiles, some nods of acknowledgement, and if especially lucky, there’ll be a colleague you actually know, with which the generic small talk ensues. Sometimes, it feels like the longest 45 seconds ever.
The Desk — The 4x4 feet area I call home for the next 11 hours or so. Personalized with a photo or other keepsakes, everything on my desk has its own organized spot. Settling down in the morning can feel satisfying, getting myself mentally ready for the day. Log into the computer, refresh the turret, keep my headset angled at the ready. Switch into my heels*, take off my watch (faster typing posture).
Breakfast — Before that first meeting, I have to eat breakfast. I take my thermos, pour some oatmeal and head over to the pantry. Inevitably, there are always others filling up on coffee, washing their mugs, or likewise preparing breakfast. Sprinkle more small talk as colleagues dance around each other, waiting for the sink or the microwave or taking items from the fridge. I add milk to my bowl of oatmeal and set in the microwave to heat. Rinse out the thermos and refill with 2/3 hot 1/3 cold water for just the perfect temperature. Back at my desk, I’ll add some walnuts or banana for a typical oatmeal breakfast.
The Work Day Begins — The usual review of daily tasks, project work, meeting presentations, ad-hoc phone calls, adding to the To-Do List, pings for follow-ups, approving items, regular updates, crossing off from the To-Do List, excel spreadsheeting, more phone calls, more meetings… you get the idea.
Coworker Banter — Five members of my immediate team sit around me and the proximity lends easily to shared conversations, whether or not you’re the original intended recipient. In other words, if you overhear something, interjections, sarcastic remarks, non-sequiturs, unwarranted advice, sympathetic anecdotes are all fair game, and that, above all else, generally makes the work environment entertaining. Of course, it depends on the team and individuals, tact and EQ applied appropriately, but for the most part, I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by coworkers who operate under similar collegiate attitudes.
Coworker Banter Case Study: In one conversation, you might start off with an innocent question about an email, which Colleague A may shed light on with contextual backstory, which lends to Colleague B commenting with past experience, which lends to you remembering the last discussion with Colleague J with the raspy voice, which lends to Colleague A retelling a story about Colleague J, which is interrupted by Colleague C asking if anyone has napkins, which Colleague A hands off a stack, while Colleague G & H walk through the aisle chattering about Colleague K’s deck, which reminds you to tell Colleague D that Colleague K called, and suddenly Colleague B asks if anyone wants a coffee. (It would seem like nothing ever gets done, but actually, we’re quite efficient and able to work through distractions.)
Pantry Walks! — While it might appear that the natural work day entails continuous sitting at the desk (definitely true), there are also numerous reasons (read: excuses) to get up and go to the pantry for more coffee, water, reheating lunch, “off the record” conversations to avoid aforementioned Coworker Banter, or otherwise to stretch your legs (read: procrastinate). More often than not, the pantry walk involves another person, for the simple explanation that gossiping is difficult to do alone. If it’s for an actual essential need, the pantry walk can be completed in less than 2 minutes, especially if your meetings are back to back. A truly enjoyable pantry walk probably fits more so in the 10–15 minutes range.
Conference Rooms [Lack thereof] — It might seem surprising, but the floor doesn’t actually have many open conference rooms for advance booking or quick private conversations. Most rooms are designated Partner/MD offices, usually empty and off limits. This leaves about 6 rooms optionally available for use by the entire floor of 500 people. Many ad-hoc meetings or quick 1x1s are preempted with several rounds of wandering the floor awkwardly peering into rooms or ultimately just ending up at the front pantry’s couches.
Coffee — We all know the main fuel that keeps us going is coffee. Maybe not all of us our coffee drinkers, but the term coffee chat or coffee break certainly means a chance to network or step off the desk. There’s the drip coffee “sludge” or the upgraded (but actually downgraded) espresso machine from the pantry, which is free. One step up would be the coffee from the 3rd or 5th floor, which are outsourced coffee vendors, with more flavor and options (maybe even a muffin) that you can purchase. The cafeteria has branded drip coffee as well, though it’s only open during the specific breakfast and lunch hours. The only high roller coffee in the building would be Starbucks stand in the lobby; not only do you have to allot time for the walk there and back, but also for the inevitable line and small talk. It’s essentially the place to be seen and heard. However, if you’re seeking a real coffee break for the break and not just coffee, take a walk outside and enjoy the more expensive coffee from 6–10 other coffee spots.
Bagel Fridays — I don’t even like bagels. At least not at first, and even now, it’s only marginal (I would only eat an everything toasted flagel with plain cream cheese). A very New York/New Jersey classic, there is some obsession with bagels for breakfast. Either way, it’s a curious habit and social experiment, to see who always orders the same thing and who constantly switches it up. It was also a personal irritation to be charged a different price for the same thing, and to also open the paper bag and be frustrated that the bagel shop got your order incorrect.
~6–7:00pm
The Work Day Ends — Before you know it, it’s suddenly evening and your stomach growls in hunger pangs. Despite the To-Do List looking longer than what you started with in the morning, there comes a time to bid the office adieu. As the saying goes, there will always be more work; so, draw that line somewhere. Lock the computer, say good night to the less fortunate coworkers, or walk out together with the lucky ones. Head home, check emails several times throughout the evening, sleep and then repeat.
*Heels — I couldn’t not pay tribute to the topic of footwear. While it’s true, I wear flats or sneakers or boots or sandals everywhere else, heels are reserved for the office. Specifically, my stilettos. Oh, how I miss them! It pains me to imagine how sad and lonely my high heels must be, gathering dust underneath the desk. How their leather must feel cold and dry or their shiny sheens fading dull from disuse. If only I’d known how many months before I would see them again, to wear and feel their shape mold into my feet. Not only are stilettos beautiful on their own, but paired with any outfit, there is a transformation of feminine prowess. The 4-inch heels bring not just the physical height, but also an inner confidence.
