Primal cost me my job, kinda.
(49 posts) (26 voices)-
PrimalJewishAmericanPrincess
MemberHere is one for the books. After being unemployed (my last company closed due to the credit crash) for 3 months I interview for (4 times), and got a great job...so I thought. First week in, I knew there was an issue. On my first day of work my new boss wanted to welcome me with, what else, a pizza party. I thanked her, but mentioned that I packed my lunch. I would totally hang out with everyone and gnaw on my chicken whilst they ate pizza. Cue funny looks.
Two days later at a conference, I turn down the pasta and grab my big ass salad. Again with the looks. Fast forward a day and I get pulled into the bosses office. My hair is inappropriate and I must get it cut (I have a very short haircut which is (was) a very small stylish mohawk, which I had when I interviewd by the way. Ok, suck it up jobs are hard to come by. I cut my hair. Then, the next day I am told that my style of dress isn't conservative enough. I wore a dress with a denim jacket. My boss, this same day, wore a dress with a cardigan sweater. For my particular job arena, I was the number one producer in the company. This woman wouldn't even give me a chance to see what I can do. She only wanted to "see" someone that fit the mold.
What it comes down to is this, it is becoming far more acceptable in society to be an unhealthy slob than it is to be fit. No one wants you to be the mirror to their unhealthy habits. I cannot come into work stylishly and tastefully dressed with an edgy haircut, but she can come into work in stretchy pants and Franco-American stains on her shirt?
I want to start a company with Sassafrass, Diana, and FlyNavyWife!Posted 7 months ago # -
Peggy
MemberArrrrrrrggghhhhh!!! When you start that company, can I come do the books? :)
From the sound of things, you'd never be happy there. I am very fortunate to live in a mountain community where the idea of "office attire" kinda goes with the surroundings & our lifestyles (I wear my VFFs even!)
Here's a big arm-load of cyber moral support for ya! It's just another example of The Man trying to keep a sistah down! Without going into long, boring details, I have so been there on several occasions.
Stick to your principles. It's hard sometimes, but I've found the money is not worth the misery. I guess that's why I always have 2 or 3 jobs: I'd rather be happy & feel appreciated.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Brad
MemberIsn't that just Crazy?? At my office it has gone the other way I have influenced my co-workers to make major changes without even trying. My boss has put a small gym in an unused area with a treadmill, and two stationary bikes. We have changed the Friday morning dounuts for a Friday afternoon veggie tray. And a couple weeks ago one of our suppliers was coming in for a lunch and learn where he suggested he would bring in pizza, but my boss told him we are trying to make healthier choices so he brought in an assortment of salads, veggies,wraps, and fruit. Its almost weird around here as people who have always been over weight, and out of shape in general are lossing weight, and riding their bikes to work.
Now not everyone is on board for sure, but at least half the people around my office are at least making some visably better choices. I dont push or preach with anyone, all I do is answer questions when asked. Now I also wouldn't say they are going Primal, but there are at least 4-5 big ass salads in the fridge every day.
The owner of my company is a 74 year old cowboy who looks maybe 60, and somtimes acts like he's 18(in a good way) , and has always taken reasonable care of his health is a big driver of these changes as well. He sat me down and thanked me for helping influence the staff in a positive way, and asked me to try and help one guy here who is really unhealthy.
Some people get it some just don't.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Awww... that totally blows! I agree with Brad. SOme people get it and some just don't.
I'm pretty fortunate where I work, and we'll see what happens with my culinary career. I haven't yet broke it to Chef James that I'm PB. The restaurant is Tapas but also caters to Vegans & Vegetarians. He seems of open mind so it might be ok. I also turned in an app to work in the kitchen at my favorite pizza shop. It's my favorite because it makes a killer anti-pasto. I'm hoping I can make a suggestion that they give customers the option to make any pizza or sub into a salad. ;)
Hang in there. If it doesn't work out, it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe sit down with Ms Stretchpants and explain to her that you're not trying to be non-participatory (is that a word?). It's just that there are certain foods you can't eat. (People generally respond better if they think you're incapable of eating certain foods, rather than unwilling.)
I would totally love to work with you all, or shoot, just live close enough where we could hang out! I desperately need some Primal girlfriends to hang with. :P
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'm down!
I'm ITCHING to start my own "Primal-based" company! :-D
Posted 7 months ago # -
Brad, that's TOTALLY awesome!
We get a discount on the business park gym, so I only pay $53/ quarter, so that's good!
But they buy us snacks from Costco and they cater to the developers. You can only IMAGINE how much coffee & carb-laden crap THEY eat!
When a new shipment of 'treats' come in, I grab a peach and stash it at my desk until it's ripe!
Posted 7 months ago # -
PrimalJewishAmericanPrincess
MemberIt's amazing what forms of discrimination are allowable. I bet you can't discriminate with someone if they get a boob job, because that is considered sexual harassment. You'd never hear someone say "hey, your tits are too big cover them up." But you can say, "cover up your tattoos and cut your hair".
Posted 7 months ago # -
Yeah, the tattoo thing really irks me. I've got a huge tattoo from my wrist to my elbow (elbow to shoulder not done yet.) A lot of people ask me "What about getting a good job?" My reply is generally- if somebody won't hire me because of a tattoo, they're not the kind of people I want to work for.
I guess my only regret with the tat is that there's a part of me that wants to join the military, and being that it goes right down to my hand, it's not acceptable, and I don't want it removed. I'd rather have the tat than be in the military though.
Home depot hired me several years ago when I had bright red corn rows with super long braids. They let me go because I wouldn't remove my earings. I'd just gotten some of them done too. Bright red braids, ok. Earrings, not ok. Umm?
Posted 7 months ago # -
Someday I'm going to have this inked, though I'm not sure where I'm going to put it.
"The Tattoo is the mark of the Soul. It can act as a window through which we see inside, or it can be a shield to protect us from those who cannot see past the surface."
Posted 7 months ago # -
That sucks the big one, PJAP. I have to cover my tattoos at work. It's interesting and amusing the stereotypes and assumptions people make about certain things.
Love that quote, Diana.
Posted 7 months ago # -
How crazy.... and a bit ridiculous.
A primal company of some sort would be awesome. Primal grocery stores or restaurants would make me a happy camper, although...
my degree is in early childhood education. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a primal preschool/elementary school? Go berry picking and grow a veggie garden, raise some animals, lots of outdoor play, and of course using your brain, avoiding poison, etc. haha.Posted 7 months ago # -
eva
Membersame here. even though im a seismologist n that job really doesnt recquire socializing per se, i get weird looks when i decline the chocolate, cookies, cakes or icecream offered every day, skip lunch most days (i have my bigass salad in the am) n dont join them on hourly coffebreaks...
Posted 7 months ago # -
maba
MemberPJAP, count me in when you start that Primal company. Isn't it sad that you get discriminated against for making healthful choices? What has the world come to?!!
FNW, I SOOOO love the idea of a Primal pre-school. Now, Waldorf schools are a bit like that, aren't they (not sure though)?
Posted 7 months ago # -
Miriam
MemberPJAP I am going to wear jeans tomorrow to work in protest!
My workplace is used to my funny eating habits and whenever we have functions I bring my own food or don’t eat, last birthday morning tea I was eating almond butter out of the jar while everyone else was scoffing party pies and sausage rolls.
If someone does question me about what I am eating and why,I ask them do they really want to know and then tell them the truth is I cannot tolerate junk food due to candida that is mainly why I am primal, so maybe you need to get a similar answer to make life a bit easier for you.
Posted 7 months ago # -
maba I'm not sure about Waldorf but I think the PB would easily fit in with the Montessori way... I REALLY want to go through Montessori training but it's pretty pricey. Maybe someday, and I can do a Primal Montessori school. haha.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Heck, let's just go with a Primal Community, like Mormons, but without the Religion.
Community Garden, Community Cows and Chickens.
Heck, the government will actually fund such a community if you have some sort of 'agricultural' crop.
Then, we can build our houses from adobe (it's a 'new', economical and inexpensive way to build a home and is even approved by building code). The land would be supplied by the government and we'd produce, oh, let's see, Bamboo! Yeah. It's easy to grow, sustainable and creates quite the income!
Sigh....if only...
Posted 7 months ago # -
hannahc
MemberWhen I have kids they are definitely going to Montessori schools (well, I hope anyway...depends on the cost in the area I suppose). FNW you can run the school, and SF you can find the perfect spot for our co-op! Back to basics, who needs a boss anyway?? (As I enjoy my lunch break...:)
Posted 7 months ago # -
That's it! Strawbale houses. My mom investigated into those and found that you can have a 'class' come and build yours for free, while you pay for the materials.
Posted 7 months ago # -
PrimalJewishAmericanPrincess
Member@SerialSinner, often thought of a move. Pittsburgh isn't a very forward thinking city. I wish I had a sledgehammer to do Mark's workout today! Former "boss" called and left me a pretty shitty message stating that she is expecting a letter of resignation. Um, you let me go... I am assuming that they are now worried about a possible lawsuit. I'm over it. I have my Master's, over a decade of experience in school administration, and plenty of street cred to go with it. I won't sacrifice myself just because of my eating habits or this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40952959@N02/?saved=1Posted 7 months ago # -
hannahc, you can always homeschool if the Montessori schools are too expensive.
Or do what my sister did and ask the school if you can work there in exchange for reduced/free tuition for your kid(s). She went in hoping for some sort of "anything" job (secretary or whatever) and ended up getting hired as the art teacher. I think she's been there 4-5 years now and she loves her job. (Her degree is in art and art history.)
good resource for montessori materials: http://forsmallhands.com/store/
I have this book and it's pretty great:
http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=84_112_639&zenid=83b63f088231f474cb332fabff7c405aReally want this book:
http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=84_112_649&zenid=83b63f088231f474cb332fabff7c405aSorry for the thread hijack!
Posted 7 months ago #
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