People at work

[Little Miss Muffet]

Hiya everyone ,

I've only just joined but have been reading loads of your posts for a good month now.

I do cleaning as you don't have to interact with people that much. I've just been transferred to a new place where I have to clean an office: I have to clean peoples desks now. Tomorrow will be my 11th day there and I am feeling it building up within me.

When I walk into the office:

I don't want to say hello as I dont want people to look at me
I feel I can't see properly
If I look at people I will have to say something
When people talk to me I cannot slow it down, all I have in my head subconsciously is: I want to get out of here.
There's a screaming in my head like that of a child: I dont want to talk- I dont want to talk.

4 of the staff were talking the other day and they were discussing someone who didn't really talk and they said talking to this person was "like getting blood from a stone". Then I was cleaning in the kitchen and one of the office workers came in and said to me " are you ok in here, we were worried about you".

I spoke to the other cleaners and no-one wants to work in there as they say the office staff are "stuck up" and don't talk to them. I havent found that at all: they go out of their way to talk to me. Jokingly I said if they don't stop talking to me I will have to leave.

It builds up so much that I eventually end up quiting: I've had so many cleaning jobs now.

 

[Srijita52]

Hi,welcome to the site.

 

[KiaKaha]

I am sorry to hear that little miss muffet. I think I can understand how you feel... so can many other people here. Welcome to SPW... the one place where you wont be alone

 

[mikebird]

I've spent the last 13 years in an office just like you describe - in London, on any floor, or any towns, in business parks out in the sticks... trying to 'get on' with people in a different universe to me. I lose my job really quickly, and just keep trying again, again and again... I thought being human would be enough to 'get on' with others, and this website has helped me get a grasp of what happens between people which, to me, is purely rejection.

I see cleaners in the office after hours, which is a great time for me to stick around some days, when the place empties, and I feel more comfortable, when I can get a lot more done. Like a train or plane, where the place is empty and everyone leaves their trash to be collected. I'm just better away from gleeful people

 

[Blabla..]

Welcome Little Miss Muffet,

I don't like to talk , people talk about useless things all the time , usually it's because they are scared of silence , scared of that awkward silent moment. If you don't want the people you work with to think you are cold , just greet them with a big smile , let them know that you are feeling good and happy to see them without words. They should understand that you are just not a talker , if they don't then i'm sorry for them !

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

Welcome to the forum~!

I've worked as a cleaner/maid in mansions all through highschool and no one ever expected anything from us other than to keep our heads down and quietly clean.
It could get to the point where you just feel like an unappreciated decoration-- being unable to say a word, so I'd think it may feel more worthwhile to work somewhere where people are actually friendly to you.

Perhaps a small smile would be sufficient-- since you are working, afterall.
You could always just say; "Oh, I'm sorry... I can't talk right now, I'm quite busy." politely if you don't feel like talking.
It's up to you if you want to be friendly or not, though.
I don't think anyone really expects anything of a cleaner other than to be good at your job and to work diligently.

Cleaning is hard.
I don't think people realize how physically demanding it is.
I applaud you for your work!