Sometimes we have to cut one another a little slack in our personal and professional life; our young professional (YP) lives are over-stimulated and hectic and unexpected situations come up all the time. We have recently realized, however, that some behaviors are permissible and others are plain rude.
Making and Breaking Plans
Forgivable
Breaking plans last minute because something has come up at work or in personal life is never a fun thing to do, but it happens. We admit, these days it is difficult for any plan to be set in stone. Most young professionals are generally accepting of the fact that most plans, like after work drinks or weekend brunch, are only about 90 per cent secure. Remember, there may be a time when you as well may have to bail on plans last minute. Be forgiving.
Not Cool
Repeatedly breaking plans with friends, overcommitting and even making multiple plans with different people before deciding on the most enticing option will not win you the “friend of the year” award any time soon. Also, the whole breaking plans game is changed when you have committed to something where a friend is going out of their way to extend an invite – whether an extra concert or event ticket, a “plus one” at a charity event or a cottage weekend. If someone has extended such an invite, don’t keep them waiting too long to respond either.
Communication
Forgivable
Missing the occasional email or text message from friends happens. Many times, we see a personal email or text and have every intention of writing back the moment we get a chance… then forget. It is especially easy to do when the said text does not necessarily invite a response. Just because modern communication makes us more accessible than ever doesn’t mean that everyone is as text-addicted as you may be.
Not Cool
Blatantly ignoring messages, emails and other attempts at communication with friends, especially when they’ve extended a well wish, invitation or asked a question that invites a response, usually won’t go over well, despite your embarrassed attempt at an apology when you run into the person unexpectedly. One or two ignored messages may be permissible; any more is seen as a blatant snub, even if you don’t mean it to be. We have been “just so insanely busy” that we’ve let certain emails and texts sit on the back burner – and almost severed a friendship as a result.
In the office
Forgivable
Things come up in our lives that we can’t control, from personal illness to transportation delays, and inevitably there will be situations that prevent certain work tasks from being completed on time or as effectively as hoped. Mistakes happen. Instead of lamenting over the mistake of a coworker, think about his or her overall performance and all of the good that they bring to the table. Not all will run smoothly in the workplace – it would be bizarre if nobody ever made a mistake.
Not Cool
By this age, you better take your job seriously. Somebody is paying you to live up to a commitment and you need to be professional – this is your career, not a part-time summer job. It is one thing to move at a slower pace than usual on a Friday morning, but another to miss work because your “crazy night” the evening prior disabled you for the entire day. If you find yourself coming in to the office late more often than not, you may want to reevaluate your morning routine; don’t think your coworkers and boss don’t notice your tardiness.
If you are seen as a flake in your personal life, you may also be viewed as unreliable in your professional life, and vice versa. This is something that should be remembered for yourself and others. Certain flake outs are forgivable, habitual ones not so much.