create_destiny: (Default)
create_destiny ([personal profile] create_destiny) wrote2005-09-23 08:22 am

Death Etiquette

This is long overdue, but I need to get this off my chest.

I have a lot of anger regarding how my co-workers reacted when my sister died a few months ago. No one knew what to say to me when I came back to work ten days after her passing. That's fine. Death is hard and uncomfortable and people don't know what to say. That's what sympathy cards are for. You spend three lousy bucks, pass it around the office for everyone to sign and bam, it's dealt with. It's the least you could do. If you want to be really classy, spring for a bouquet.

When I came back to work my co-workers had not so much as pooled their resources and bought me a fucking card. I've worked there for nine fucking years and no one did so much as get me a fucking card. No one came up to me and acknowledged my loss for several days. Even then, only one person did. These are people I've burned cds for, bought coffees for, some have even been to my house for drinks. The silence was deafening and I have a truckload of resentment for those assholes now.

Listen, if you can't afford a card then at least say these five fucking words:

"I'm sorry for your loss."

That's all you have to say. Memorize these words so that you too can possess a shred of fucking class and know how to react when a friend or co-worker loses someone. Even a phone call or an e-mail is acceptable. You need to acknowledge that person's loss in some way. And it's never too late.

(((((((hugs))))))))))

[identity profile] ex-crystalw.livejournal.com 2005-09-24 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Goddamn. The same thing happened to me when my sister died, and again with my mother. People need to take a class or something on how to be considerate, etc. because it is fucking ridiculous.

People tended to avoid me when it happened and were visibly uncomfortable around me for a while. It's like, what do they think, if they touch me they are gonna die too?

In any case, I am really sorry for your loss, I know how it feels and if I were there I'd give you a huge hug, some flowers, and a fucking sympathy card...fer chrissakes, and I don't even know you

Re: (((((((hugs))))))))))

[identity profile] createdestiny.livejournal.com 2005-09-24 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
Hey thanks. You really find out who your friends are when a close one dies. I was really shocked and hurt to discover that no one at my work gave a rat's ass. This is something that will always bug me. Even when I get a different job I'll have some serious walls up.

Re: (((((((hugs))))))))))

[identity profile] robin-rule.livejournal.com 2005-09-24 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
thanks exactly what people feel. it's a primitive cootie reflex about death. people don't understand how death is the other side of the coin, OR they understand all too well and they are scared shitless. boy, am i glad i sent you my love back then cuz it's better than any ol' card and i DO know you. i'm still sorry for yr loss. it'll never go away, it just gets softer. she still loves you, ya know...
i am morphing my garden's very last bouquet of flowers yr way, lots of giant sunflowers and white yarrow. now there's medicine...