I was once told by a girl that I looked just like Regina George from "Mean Girls". I took it as a compliment because who doesn't want to look like Rachel McAdams. As I reflect back on that comment, there might have been more to it and maybe my resemblance was merely a reflection of my attitude being much more like Regina's than I want it to be.
I know I can be judgmental at times. It's a major flaw and I'm working on it. The strange part is I'm also very laid back. Sometimes I say things and then once I've said it I move on because in reality, things don't really bother me that much. But other people might not move on so quickly. I'm sorry!
Just the other day I realized I really am a mean girl.
I had recently returned from maternity leave. I was giving report to a girl that had started working with me just prior to having my baby. Anyway, the day was difficult and as I was giving report there were a few things that needed to be checked up on. The girl was super rude to me about it. I figured that she was super pretty and probably didn't want to do more than she had to. I let it slide off my back because she was still new and I didn't really care. Well, this happened the next few times we exchanged report. Did I mention that she is super pretty? I assumed that because she was so pretty, she probably got into nursing school, and didn't really care about the job or anyone else and it was just a paycheck for her. I know, it probably sounds like she is the mean girl. And that was pretty much my thought process on her until last week.
I just switched to working nights and now I was working with this girl. I'm easy going and get along with most people but had never taken the time to get to know her based on our previous encounters. Well, the conversation was about cancer because sadly, our jobs kind of revolve around this stuff. She mentioned how much she hates cancer and I agreed. Well, at least we had one thing in common. Somehow, the conversation progressed and she started telling me how her husband died from cancer. I was shocked. She is so young, has a little boy that's 2.It just didn't seem possible or fair. I didn't ask many questions. But I came home and looked at her Facebook page. I found a link to her blog. I began reading it and it was so sad. This girl who I was probably not real nice to had been through more than I can imagine.
At the time she started working with me she was just getting back on her feet from all of this. I pretty much felt like a jerk. The next time I worked with her I apologized and we bonded over other things. I learned that she's a great girl. I also learned not to judge a book by it's cover.
So, next time someone seems like a brat. I'll probably let it slide off my back a little quicker and find out if they need a friend or if they are really just a mean girl.
