The Art of Admonishment

I once worked for a publishing company on Madison Avenue, just a stone’s throw (maybe two throws) from Rockefeller Center. I had no money when I took this editing job. On my first lunch break, I was shocked by the cost of one apple at a closet-sized market around the corner. The next day I brought my lunch. But when I rolled out the contents of my paper bag, the man in charge calmly stood in front of my glass cubicle and stated, “We don’t eat at our desks.” He left without waiting for me to respond.

I assume he did not recognize, in my opinion, the arrogance of his admonishment uttered more than 40 years ago and that, unlike me, he quickly forgot about it. But what of all the “small” things that I’ve said at the workplace and forgotten but the person I said it to still remembers? I guess it’s time for me to get down on my knees and pray for forgiveness. Well, at least I’ve never told anyone that “eating at your desk is not allowed.”

Still, if you in are in the position to admonish, do it wisely and without an attitude of superiority.