At this point, with the current state many of us find our finances in this country, it seems just about everyone 15 years or older has a job, so everyone's got at least one coworkers and a boss. If you can tell me you enjoy going into work, I might think you're a liar, but if you try telling me that you get along great with everyone at your job, I'll know you're not a truth-er.
It's natural to not get along with EVERYONE, but civility with the people you see most of every week, whether you like it or not, might be necessary. To be real, “civil” might even be too nice a way to describe what you need to be. To spell it out more accurately, you might want to consider being anything but mean.
It's definitely easier to just be passive aggressive and fulfill your desire to get even, sure. I mean, all you do is work with these people, who cares? The answer to that is you, no matter how hard you try to make it seem like you don't. One way or another, by luck or misfortune, your most-hated coworker will find their way into your mind by the end of your shift. Rather than waiting for that to happen, and playing defense on those bad vibes, why not make it a whole bunch of positive vibes either way? Why not make nice with each and every one of your acquaintances?
Okay, okay, I understand. More than many, I understand it's tough to be working in a kitchen full of people with not just different views than your own, but aggressive opinions and thoughts that are not only opposite yours, but anti-you. It's tough to just stand there and let so much go on without speaking up, but one of the only comparable suffering's to that is guaranteeing yourself an uncomfortable work environment. Obviously if something means enough to you, there shouldn't be a thing in this universe that can stop you from standing up for it. If it's anything short of that, I suggest you reconsider making your work place any less bearable than it already isn't.
That might be enough to get this job done, unless the other people at your job really have it out for you. If that seems to be the case, my best advice is to turn the other cheek until you can't anymore. Until that inevitability arises, you should do your best to deflect and deflate any comments or actions that might antagonize something that might have the potential to leave the place in turmoil by the end of the night. Consider a diary, or venting to someone who isn't part of your job’s staff, but at all costs avoid being “that guy” for as long as possible. Take it from me; someone who has had no choice but to be “that guy” time and time again. Words and small actions might bother you for a day or two, but remember, your shift might last forever.
