Today I celebrated one year with the company I work for. I haven’t written much about my work here, for the most part because I’d like to not ever end up dooced. Even mentioning the name of the company is something that I’ve been careful about because I don’t want people to assume that my political or religious leanings are something shared by all of my coworkers or the management team. That, and I would never want them to judge my workplace and the people there based on what they see in me…but if they do, I hope that what they are witness to in my life is something that wouldn’t turn them off of doing business there.

It’s interesting work that I do. I’m a receptionist. And as I’ve mentioned before, a lot of us are some of the most abused, underestimated, overqualified, kind, and knowledgeable individuals you will ever encounter. With all of that said, there are plenty out there that give this particular career a very bad name. Just this past week someone reached my blog by searching for the terms “why are receptionists white bimbos?” We can see that you’ve made up your mind already, sir.

And yes I am making the assumption that it’s a man.

When I started out doing front desk work I assumed that it would be a part time, temporary gig that I would end up hating (like everything else I’d done…I need something different and exciting on a daily basis to keep my interest). Turns out that I was wrong. I have learned so much sitting in my big purple chair. Answering phones and working a front desk is not the most intellectually stimulating job that I’ve had, but it’s far more so than the day school was (there your brain slips into a “off air” mode and the only thing flowing through your brain during the few moments the din settles down is that awful buzz of white noise).

Things I Have Learned While Sitting in My Big Purple Chair AKA Stuff You Need to Know About Being a Good Receptionist

  1. A smile goes a long way…even over the phone. People can tell when you are happy as well as when you are completely disinvested in whatever their issue is. Don’t be the latter.
  2. Some of your callers will think you’re dumb. Change their mind. If you can’t, make them hold. (Kidding, you don’t want to get canned.)
  3. It works out best for the both of you if you pretend you didn’t hear the caller burp right when you picked up the phone.
  4. To maintain your self-respect, remember (every day)—you are not defined by your position in the company, the desk you sit at, the way people speak to you, or the numbers on your paycheck.
  5. Be joyful in your work even if you do not find your joy there.
  6. It is best to leave your work at work. Rejoice in the fact that you can with this type of job. (I make a point to not dwell on work matters after I’ve spilled whatever I need to from the day to Kevin’s poor ears.)
  7. Dress (put on makeup, jewelry, etc.) like you are glad to be working there and like you’re paid well. Not like you need a job or want to lose the one you have. (I notice our searcher described receptionists only as “white bimbos.” To me that carries a lot of meaning with it. “Bimbos” infers stupidity, while “white” refers to ones skin and possibly hair. Let’s go with blond on that one, though they haven’t got me pegged on that bit either. Putting the two together creates this fantastically cliché stereotype—a cute little blond who, while she may not be going to law school anytime soon, is attractive.) Can we not dress nicely, wear some makeup, do something to our hair AND be intelligent, helpful, and kind? Seems like people view receptionists in one of two ways: blond, cheery, and clueless or brunette, mousy w/ glasses, and good at her job.