Receptionist at a finance institution gets ignored by coworkers with more power who can even respond when she says "hello" or say thank you: " The people who do reply are usually the ones who aren't trying to act like they're gods of finance or whatever.'

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I work at the reception of this big financial institution, nothing fancy, just the usual summer student job stuff: making badges for visitors, picking up calls, saying hello and goodbye to people who walk past. our chief told us we have to smile and greet everyone, which is fine, i don't mind doing it, it's literally part of the job. but what i don't get is how many people just... don't respond. like at all. i'll say "have a nice evening" or
Coworkers looking at the screen of a computer and talking about it. Representation.
"goodbye" and they just walk straight past me like i'm a wall or a plant or some background noise they don't even register. some of them don't even look in my direction, just glued to their phones or pretending they're too important to acknowledge a human being who's literally talking to them. and i know it shouldn't bother me because whatever, this world is transactional and people with status think anyone below them is basically invisible, but
sometimes i'm just standing there thinking how hard is it to move your mouth and say "you too." And the funny part is that the people who do reply are usually the ones working in technical or support roles, the ones who aren't trying to act like they're gods of finance or whatever. they smile, they say thanks, they treat me like a person. and then there are the others who act like replying to a receptionist will somehow lower their net worth. i
don't wait for replies anymore, i just say my part and move on, but i still don't understand what they gain from being arrogant. like what's the reward? do they go home thinking "wow, i ignored a greeting today, i'm so powerful." And the thing is, i'm studying at one of the best universities, i'm literally working my a off to get to a high-level position one day, and i swear if i ever get there i'll still reply to everyone, i'll still be gentle and respectful because i
know how it feels to be on the other side. sometimes it even motivates me, like yeah, keep ignoring me, maybe one day i'll be the one signing your evaluation lol. but still, i don't get why some people act like basic politeness is beneath them. i don't know, maybe i'm overthinking it, maybe it's just how corporate life works, maybe receptionists are meant to be invisible. but it still feels weird every time it happens, like a tiny
reminder of how people choose arrogance even when kindness costs nothing.
A man taking notes in his notepad during a conference. Representation.
SkwrlTail Worth remembering that a lot of finance executives are psychopaths. No really.
Nocturnal Misanthrope Probably overthinking it. But at the same time, these people who think they are "above" other people because of their bank account need to be reminded every once in a while they blod red just like everyone else.
Whats_His_Name987 you. It's sad when people actively ignore I've always tried to remember the saying "it costs nothing to be nice."
upset_pachyderm do they go home thinking "wow, i ignored a greeting today, i'm so powerful." Not consciously, but I think it makes them feel more powerful.
PAHi-LyVisible They need to remember that "the hand you step on today is connected to the a$s you kiss tomorrow."
PsychologyGuilty 1460 You're not engaging with them because you care about them. You are literally getting paid to do that and they know it. They are not getting paid to engage with you, however. They're just doing their own thing in their own head, not acknowledging pointless interruptions. It's not about you. Just don't take it personally
Chuck-fan-33 If your job was more than a summer job, they are making a big mistake. As you get higher up as an assistant, these jerks have to get past you to get to your boss. You can make their life very uncomfortable. Also as you get higher up in management, that is something you can teach your assistant.

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