At least one guy- Scott Adams made a fortune out of pulling hilarious gags on life in cubicles.More people now work in cubicles than ever before.Cubicles can be self containing worlds-in more ways than one cubicles also reflect the personality of their owners.Many like to decorate their walls with pictures of friends and family,many hang up certificates announcing accomplishments and academic degrees. There are some items which are universal to all cubicles- a telephone,a computer,stationary,documents...the list is endless.
The longer you inhabit the workspace the more junk you tend to accumulate unless you are meticulously organized and swear by the 'clean desk policy'.I get emails from the Human resources group every now and then outlining how important it is for everyone to adhere to this policy.It says no 'confidential' document should be left out in the open,no passwords should be scribbled on loose pieces of paper and all this important stuff should be locked up.It's a blow to my ego to realize that none of the docs that are piled up next to my workstation are even worth a second look. They rather serve the purpose of conveying an impression that my time is precious and I'm such a workhorse.Of course the truth is far from it.
I have a daily rip off Dilbert desk calendar that I'm particularly fond off.I noticed the other day that I do not have a single book.It sure looks good to keep a few thick technical manuals on the shelves.Blame the Internet but everytime I want to look up something I rather use google.I also have a big coffee mug which helps me stay awake and actually get some work done during dreary afternoons.I also have post-its which I scribble into all the time.Post its must be the best things invented since sliced bread.
I also have a filing cabinet which is empty...OK I keep all my files on windows.I sit on a comfortable wheel footed chair which I can pace up and down in the little space to keep myself from dozing off.
Over the years,I have worked in many buildings,many different cubicles and all of them have a single shortcoming-they are designed so that you can work in them.Who wants to work in cubicles all their lives?....Inspite of all my rant,I do have a soft corner for life in cubicles....afterall you spend or are going to spend a big part of your life inhabiting them. They make you feel important and even a bit nostalgic when time comes to bid goodbye to one, pack all your stuff and move to another one. You tend to leave behind the successes,the failures the good times and the bad...a slice of your days gone by.
Isn't it almost weird that no matter in which part of the world you work,you always belong to the universal world of cubes.Let me end with a joke where a Brit quips that "we invented the Internet....America gave us the cubicle!".Well...rarely has "made for each other" seemed more appropriate.
