Cannot suffer the office fools

[Anonymous]

At 64, I cannot seem to suffer fools at my office the way I used to. Admittedly my new bosses are younger and inexperienced, poor communicators, which sets me off. How can I look away and last another 5 years, is there a trick to it?

[Anonymous]

You are 64 years old. Why do you need to work 5 more years to retire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 64, I cannot seem to suffer fools at my office the way I used to. Admittedly my new bosses are younger and inexperienced, poor communicators, which sets me off. How can I look away and last another 5 years, is there a trick to it?

One day at a time

[Anonymous]

OP, I am 62 and in a similar situation. I have learned to distance myself emotionally from the office politics. I observe and pay attention. I try to just be grateful for my job and coworkers. In many ways the younger ones are AMAZING and I try to learn from them. But mostly distancing and focusing on my own work have helped. I also try to have empathy and remember all the foolish things I’ve done in the past/- keeps me grounded.

[Anonymous]

Why not just retire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not just retire?

Could it be the OP doesn't have the money and needs a few more years? How somebody can work 40 years, then have enough to live another 30 years and retire, especially in this age of no pensions is beyond me. Have a couple of massive market drops mixed in and that can blow up a retirement. A few more years can reduce the risk.

[Anonymous]

Consider it your new challenge, OP! We need to pick stuff to work on as we age, to stave off dementia.

[Anonymous]

Agree, OP. There is one that goes on and on, uncontrolled, about how important, special and busy (???) she is on a daily basis. Mind you, in the time she takes to tell us this, she could be working. Plus, her husband works in the field, and we are convinced he does most of her work.

Another one goes on and on about who she works for, as if that has any bearing on anything (it does not).

They need to stop wasting our time so we can finish our work in peace.

[Anonymous]

Get out of the office and work part time doing something else.
Ofcourse I'm wondering why you can't just retire at your age. I'm ready to retire at 45 with plenty of money left over. Never held a fancy office job, never had 401k, no husband, no advance degree (undergrad took me 17 years), no lottery winning,no alimony, 2 children to raise, and the first 15 years in US spend without work permit. I knew I cannot do the no-good job more than 20 years and got ready for the day I walk out.
What made you think you can go on forever and not prepare to get out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not just retire?

Are you new to America?

[Anonymous]

Some humility would help. The younger staff members might find you equally tiresome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get out of the office and work part time doing something else.
Ofcourse I'm wondering why you can't just retire at your age. I'm ready to retire at 45 with plenty of money left over. Never held a fancy office job, never had 401k, no husband, no advance degree (undergrad took me 17 years), no lottery winning,no alimony, 2 children to raise, and the first 15 years in US spend without work permit. I knew I cannot do the no-good job more than 20 years and got ready for the day I walk out.
What made you think you can go on forever and not prepare to get out?

At least OP isn't a jerk. No wonder you have no husband lol.

[Anonymous]

OP I understand. It's a difficult time of life, for sure.

As long as you don't have to deal with open hostility or trumped up charges of poor performance or other harassment (a common tactic to get older workers ousted) then I would suggest you keep your head down, keep your work contributions steady and shift your focus to life outside of work.

You cannot change the behaviors, work ethic or culture of younger generations. It is what it is. You are annoyed but don't let it show. Learn to keep a poker face and figure out tactics to not let it get to you.

Don't offer up advice or input when not asked - they aren't interested. All it will do is aggravate you and make you feel diminished.

Focus on what things you have in life you enjoy and what you plan to do with yourself when you retire. If you have a hobby or interest, now is the time to begin immersing yourself into it so it will help with the transition to retirement.

Best of luck! I'm 3 years retired and don't miss one damn thing. Had a great career and did more than I ever imagined I would, but it was time to go.

[Anonymous]

^^Oh, one more thing. Be sure to take ALL time off/vacation you are entitled to. Spread it out throughout the year, if possible, so that you can at least get a long weekend away every three months. Gives you something to look forward to every quarter.

[Anonymous]

Accept that you are past your “best when used by date” and if you don’t roll with it you will be tossed in the garbage.