Rumors at Work

I think it's funny how rumors start in the workplace. Sometimes it's malicious and on purpose. Luckily, my job isn't like that at all. Our rumors start completely by accident.

Not long ago, someone approached me at shift change quite concerned. "How are you doing?" she asked, with great intent.

I was a little confused. "I'm fine," I answered hesitantly. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, we're just all concerned about you. With all that you have going on, with school and work and your Epstein-Barr ... that's a lot."

I left, still confused, the conversation running through my mind. Then it struck me. I laughed out loud.

About a week earlier, Bill at work asked me how I was doing. But let me give a bit of history. Soon after I found out I had Epstein-Barr virus, I was telling people at work about it, explaining it, answering questions about it. Bill was quite curious about it and was concerned. A few days after that, he went to our boss and asked how I was doing, but couldn't remember the term "Epstein-Barr" and so called it "Asperberger's". They had a good laugh about it and when he related it to me, I laughed too.

So back to a week before my coworker was so concerned about me. Bill came to me and jokingly said, "So how are you doing? I've been so concerned, you know. With your school, work, and Asperger's ... that's a lot. How are you?!" We laughed.

Someone else took it quite seriously, told someone else, who told someone else, until the entire office became concerned about me.

I told this to Bill and again, we laughed.

So funny how rumors start!

Chelle