Porthole

Friends or colleagues... or enemies?

Elycia Lee ☮ made me ponder: were my co-workers colleagues, friends or something else?

I tend to be a connector. I like to talk... a lot. And I love to bring diverse people together and can usually find something in common with most everyone.

Like the young Dane I met last night, under the Dome at Formosa Metro Station in Kaohsiung, who is going to university in Taipei and just happened to attend Lund University in Sweden... well... I had a story for him!

I asked him about the 'insane' way Danes count. Believe me, Swedes and Norwegians just shake their heads in disbelief. They agree on little else.

So... did you know 50 is "halvtreds"? Well neither did I. Since 60 = tres (think three score or three twenties like French) and 80 = firs... it's complicated. The answer? 50 = [two score plus] half [of the] third (score). So there! Now you know.... or don't.

I easily connect.

BUT... at work? "I have always been able to depend on the kindness of strangers" did NOT apply to the work place. Were people friendly or helpful? Usually. But I never was able to properly connect... and I tried.

My people skills helped in the field but in the office they got in the way. My job was best for those who could focus and were non-emotional. It did help if one could get along with people, both in the office and in the field. But many looked at those we 'regulated' as the enemy. Not a happy place.

I'm still in touch with one former co-worker. I've spoken to at least three others over the years. None are my friends on spacebook.

I don't make much effort to contact anyone because I no longer know who to trust. It's a mafia-culture of arm-twisting and holding grudges for a lifetime. Brutal for someone as sensitive as I am.

Were they my enemies? I'm absolutely sure most weren't and aren't. But... I cannot take the risk.

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