I remember the days when I had to do was drive to work. Yes, there is a thing called traffic. And sometimes, it's not as bad you think. In retrospect, I was used to it. Just you and the open road. Windows up, air conditioner on high and blasting your favorite song. Which is the best! 

In NYC, you can have a car but you're asking for trouble. Have you heard of defensive driving? Drive at your own risk; I think it's going to take a little bit more than that for you to survive. There are ultimately 3 to 4 things that can ruin my peaceful commute in MTA.

Let me set the scene so you can understand. Every morning, I walk down to the subway. I make my way down into the cellars of the mole people. And I pass the Soldier of Jesus stating, "Jesus said REPENT for your sins." I greet him every morning. He really is a nice guy. (One of these days I'll actually have a conversation with him.) After I pass him, I stroll deeper into Mole Land and pass the booth. I swipe my card, walk pass the gate and I wait. If I'm lucky, the train will come within 5 minutes of me entering the train station. I get a corner seat and wait for my stop. Everyone is pretty quiet. I put on my earphones and listen to tunes. Sometimes I eat my scone and drink my coffee. I'm comfy on my ride downtown. The trains run smoothly and I get to midtown in about 40 minutes.
How many times does thay actually happen? Maybe once a week. There is always something that could ruin my commute or just make it terrible.

1.) Being loud and obnoxious at 8AM. If there is a person sitting right next to you, why do I hear your whole conversation at the other end of the train. Be courteous. Some people may just want to rest their eyes before they start their day. Nobody wants to hear you. So, just shut up!

2.) Holding the doors. If the doors are closing and you rush in trying to hold the doors, I'm going to ferociously hate you. If the doors are trying to close and you're holding them open because it's funny, I'm going to push you on the tracks. When you hold the doors, it creates "Train Traffic" meaning that trains are going to run behind because of your stupidity. Don't do it.

3.) Certain grooming activities. I see people put on makeup or maybe take down their hair. I don't mind if you do that. Especially if the train isn't crowded. But shaving, clipping your toe nails and even picking your nose?? That should only be done at home. It's gross. The train car is not your bathroom. Stop being gross.

What annoys you about your morning commute? I want to hear all your stories and woes! 

"But alas, it's just another manic Monday

I wish it were Sunday

'Cause that's my fun day

My I don't have to run day

It's just another manic Monday."

You hit your snooze alarm 3 times before you roll our of bed. You drag yourself to the kitchen, turn on the coffee machine and make your way to the shower. Before you know it, you're all clean and awake. You head to the kitchen, prepare your coffee just how you like. May grab one of your homemade morning glory muffins? Scrambling around the house, you find the perfect suit and heels. Something that screams, "Hire Me!" But you are not just anyone; you print out your resume on special paper, write notes about the company, research your possible interviewer and look up recent articles to get a feel for what's happening in the industry. Making your way to the subway, you get the perfect seat. You grab your phone and blast some tunes to pump you up for the interview that you've been waiting for. Getting off at the stop, you turn on Google Maps making sure you got the address right and walk to your destination. Walking to the office building, sometimes you have to show your ID, maybe not. Either way, you go the elevator, make your way through those doors. And might I say 15 minutes early. Bam! You did it. How can you not be the happiest person in the world? You got it all right! You sit and wait. You have paperwork you have to fill out or they appreciate you coming early. You are ready to be interviewed.

That's the perfect scenario.

It doesn't always happen that way. 

Please employers, just hear me out. Professionalism is a two-way street. It's the basis of respect in an office setting. If I don't get it when I give it, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Here are a couple situations where I have been left in awe and irritation.

1.) I get to the interview 15 minutes early. I have to wait an hour for you to interview me. Bonus: You act like its okay how my times has been wasted.

2.) I'm sitting in the room where I'm interviewing. You bring in a full-course meal and eat it in front of my face.

3.) I am in the middle of answering an interview question. Instead of giving your undivided attention, you feel the need to check your email, take a phone call or even worse, nod for no reason.

Trust me, I understand. Every field is different, sometimes things happen. Maybe you need to eat or answer an email. Some industries are more demanding. I get it.

But sometimes an explanation or apology can go far. You are representing your company. I don't want to work for an unprofessional company, because your reputation can rub off on me. Remember, guilt by association? Just as much as employers would like their interviewees to take their opportunity seriously, we expect the same. 

People, I beg you. Please be professional. Respect each others time. You never know what you've lost or gained by presenting yourself in the wrong light.

"But alas, it's just another manic Monday

I wish it were Sunday

'Cause that's my fun day

My I don't have to run day

It's just another manic Monday"

"Complaining is not lady-like," is my mom's saying. Admittedly, it can be annoying. But we cannot deny the power of Monday's. The day of Monday is a universal ranting day. How often do you have a perfect Monday?

Other days may squander a boring word choice like "Meh" or "Alright." Monday's offer an elaborate choice of words like, "You wouldn't believe..." or "Just wait until you hear about my day."

Let's toast to Monday and all the monikers that are thrown along with it.