Foreign Service Officers snooty?

[Anonymous]

Just started a job at State. I really want to like the FS officers I meet, but they seem so full of themselves! Superficial even. Is it just the ones who got stuck in DC?

[Anonymous]

They all rotate through DC at some point.

[Anonymous]

I have a neighbor who’s FS. She acts like nobody but her has any right to an opinion about international politics. I don’t even find her that well informed, pretty parochial actually. My guess is that the job isn’t actually that exciting under the surface. Hard to make a difference there, so they console themselves by feeling worldly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just started a job at State. I really want to like the FS officers I meet, but they seem so full of themselves! Superficial even. Is it just the ones who got stuck in DC?

Um, there are about 10,000 FSO's. Some are cool, some are dicks. Kind of like everywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Yes. A snooty bunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a neighbor who’s FS. She acts like nobody but her has any right to an opinion about international politics. I don’t even find her that well informed, pretty parochial actually. My guess is that the job isn’t actually that exciting under the surface. Hard to make a difference there, so they console themselves by feeling worldly.

The jobs they do are downright boring. So they often feel the need to be self important.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. I’m at State too. Hard to make that generalization. As PP said some are awesome and some not so much. Just like any other field.

[Anonymous]

They’re generally pampered and live an expat life, which is a lot like being the colonizer in colonialism. Foreign officials kiss their butts overseas, so they start to believe their opinions are actually worth more. They also live in fear of the “up or out” rule. It’s brutal really. Some folks love it but the life isn’t for those who are deep thinkers and crave authenticity.

[Anonymous]

I’m at State and definitely stereotype based on FSO job. The obnoxious ones usually come from certain cones.

[Anonymous]

Way to generalize. On second thought, I do iit too. For example, I can’t stand most lawyers. They think they’re smarter than everyone and that completing law school is some huge intellectual feat.

[Anonymous]

As a former FSO, most think they sh!t don't stink. Glad I quit.

Remember, you don't have to even have a high school diploma to join State FSO, just pass a test. I worked with FSOs with diplomas they bought from U of Phoenix or from European Universities whose only work experience was being a chauffer (this was a POL Officer too). Just cause you can pass a test does not mean you are special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former FSO, most think they sh!t don't stink. Glad I quit.

Remember, you don't have to even have a high school diploma to join State FSO, just pass a test. I worked with FSOs with diplomas they bought from U of Phoenix or from European Universities whose only work experience was being a chauffer (this was a POL Officer too). Just cause you can pass a test does not mean you are special.

How many years ago was this? Although technically there is no education requirement, no one is joining now without a high school diploma or even a college degree. It’s a bit misleading to say “all” you have to do is pass a test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m at State and definitely stereotype based on FSO job. The obnoxious ones usually come from certain cones.

Interesting. Could you elaborate on what the different cones wrt to your comment about some being more obnoxious than others?

[Anonymous]

Former Department here. I left 100% because I could not deal with this bunch. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

We have several FSOs in our neighborhood and my spouse used to work at State in a support capacity. Yes, they are full of themselves. To be fair, the ones I know are actually smart and educated, but also rude and just not interested in talking about anything besides their jobs. They all hang out together, rent homes from one another, etc -- very insular -- and if you get two in a room they only talk about who else in State they both mutually know.