What's worse? looking lazy or embarrassing?

10 Comments

It's been a rough month at my new internship because it is a big company and it's pretty much my first time working at an office like that. So first time at a big company? Not exactly where you want to start. I know I can do some pretty embarassing things and not knowing how to do certain, basic stuff at the office doesn't help. So I've been holding back and I know I look either lazy or unmotivated. But the truth is I am just holding back from embarrassing myself. Of course there are some things i have no choice but to do so I do it and of course I look dumb. But what can you do, just get through it. But if I have a choice to not do it then I don't. So what's worse? Looking lazy and risking your reputation or embarrassing yourself and risking your reputation? And please if you can comment why.

Lazy/unmotivated 19
Embarrassing yourself 23
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 10 )
  • MelancholySmile
    9 years ago

    At least when you embarrass yourself you are trying compared to not even attempting in the first place. You're new! So what if the new guy looks a little out of place and needs some guidance, how do you think other people felt when they started and had to go through the same thing you're going through. Just hold yourself together and get your work done.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    5
    5
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      "Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will."

      Gah I guess I just have to take a really deep breath and like you said hold myself together and get it done even if I do something stupid. Cause I def dont want to look lazy and bored when really I want this but i also def dont want to embarrass myself and feel depressed for a while.
      At least I tried right?

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • MelancholySmile
        9 years ago

        Yeah, just think of how this situation will actually benefit you in the future. I think most people go through this type of ordeal at some point in their life so don't feel ashamed of a little embarrassment since somebody else probably went through something worse.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • howaminotmyself
    9 years ago

    Speaking as someone who has dealt with a lazy and stupid intern, opt for looking dumb. At least you are tryin and the whole point is to learn. I cannot give a good reference to the lazy girl and she shows no inititive so she never got more interesting tasks to do. Being lazy hurts her more than asking stupid questions. I still have to show the CEO how to use the postage machine. He can be so dumb at times, but no one would accuse him of being lazy.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • dasugaknows
    9 years ago

    What is embarrassing you? Is it because you don't know how to do certain things? You're an intern, they do not expect the world from you. If you do not know how to do something, ask somebody. Even if you were hired for a job, they don't expect you to come in knowing everything from the start.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Holzman_67
    9 years ago

    haha I remember when I started at the airport in the freight industry I had no idea what was going on, their whole method of operation confused me, the person I was put with for training was a crack dealer who would go absent from work and did not give a shit, so I had to learn everything through trial and error. There was a little bit of embarrassment sure, but you have to have a little bit of humility and be prepared to stick your neck out for the sake of learning. Any embarrassment I felt was insignificant in comparison to the embarrassment of the company for not training me properly.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • HollywoodHulkHogan
    9 years ago

    i for one dgaf what people think and would rather seem motivated than seem like an ungrateful ass that doesnt care if he/she has a job.... brother

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • disthing
    9 years ago

    If you don't know how to do something, ASK!

    Otherwise you'll never learn, you'll always be avoiding those simple tasks out of embarrassment.

    Ask, make notes if you don't think you'll remember, learn from other people's experience. There's no shame in that - and I guarantee your manager and colleagues would rather you ask for their help once or twice than leaving them to do all the work.

    You're an intern! That's what an internship is for. Learning. Quit being a coward, you're only doing yourself a disservice.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • wistfulmaiden
    9 years ago

    In your situation Id say laziness is the "sure" thing while embarrassment is only a possibility. Id say at least try...and this is coming from a very lazy person :D

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • umberto
    9 years ago

    Watch and listen. Umberto has spoken.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0