Can I take a great job at the world’s most horrible company?

Dear Gabby,

I just got a great job at the world’s most horrible company. Do I take it?

Enemy territory

Dear Enemy,

It all depends on just how horrible the company seems to you. On the one hand, great jobs are great for lots of reasons: good salaries, good benefits, good work/life balance and of course, good free snacks. With those things in place, you can sock away enough money, social capital, time in which the absence of stress is notable, résumé building projects and teeth cleanings to do something good in the world, like help others, start a nonprofit, send your children to college, or become a whistleblower if need be. 

On the other hand, if you can’t live with yourself by contributing to this company and can find employment elsewhere and actually support yourself, go for it. 

By way of illustration, personally, I could not work for Jeffry Epstein. Or Mike Johnson. But I could definitely work for Diet Coke if I got free product. See what I mean? You have to search your soul. Just remember, decisions are rarely irreversible. If they were, politicians would have yet another personal circle of hell all to themselves. 

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Dear Gabby,

I hate the waste that is generated by this season of giving. The wrapping paper, boxes, plastic packaging, trees, lights, and so. Much. Food. I feel like a salmon swimming upstream, but any ideas in terms of cutting back?

Drowning

Dear Drowning,

So very true, dear reader, so very true. 

Some things are easy … wrapping gifts can be done with newspapers (remember them?), old posters, magazine pages or tissue paper, which is far thinner than wrapping paper. Trees get recycled, boxes can be recycled or reused (I am loving shoeboxes for organizing things lately) but the plastic packaging is the worst. As far as food, compost if you can, or spend a few minutes looking to see where you may be able to donate. I’m sure my very smart readers know more about these things than Gabby, and I welcome all your brilliant suggestions. I could use a few myself! 

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Dear Gabby,

I live in a “progressive” town and I am not progressive. People assume I am progressive because of where I live and what I do for a living (manage a nonprofit.) I don’t want to be untrue to myself by keeping quiet and letting them think that their views are my views, but I also don’t want them to judge me if I tell them the truth. And I REALLY don’t want to get into a discussion about it – those conversations never seem to end well and always seem to lead to hard feelings. I have honestly thought about moving away to a town where I was not in the minority. What do you suggest?

Pretend progressive

Dear Pretend,

I am really sorry that we live in such a divided culture in which you feel uncomfortable being your true self. And I know that I myself have probably written off people whose politics are very different from mine at times. Your letter is a great reminder for all of us to be more open and tolerant, even if we don’t like it! Because this country is not going to improve by less community building, cross-cultural understanding, empathy and tolerance.

Only you can figure out where to live, but perhaps in the meantime you can use your situation as an excuse to gently remind people to be more tolerant, maybe something along the lines of “people aren’t always what you assume. Not even me.” Or, “I have a differing opinion, and I’d love to talk about it with you if we can be civil and open minded. Also happy to agree to disagree.” Or, “I love how passionate you are about what you believe. I’m equally passionate about a differing opinion. Isn’t it great how variety is the spice of life?” Good luck!

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Dear Gabby appears in the RoundTable every Monday. Yes, Gabby is an advice columnist – but not just any advice columnist. Because that would be boring! Gabby combines wisdom with wit. And a pinch of snark. She is not a trained therapist by any means, but has seen and loved many in her day. Her aim is to make you think while she makes you laugh. Gabby welcomes all questions and queries and is only too happy to hear your opinion, no matter how much it may diverge from hers. Write to Gabby at [email protected].