Standing in an interminable queue at a government office gave me plenty of time to observe the lone employee processing forms at the counter. Even from a distance his grace was evident; as we moved closer I discarded my first guess as to his hobby (dancing of some variety) when I noted his not inconsiderable muscles. He couldn’t have been your standard body-builder I thought as we moved up a pace. Maybe a swimmer? Or a long-distance runner?
I had the answer when at last we were face to face. “You practice tae kwon do,” I exclaimed, pointing at the framed image of him mid-kick in full uniform which sat on his desk, and as he mechanically stamped the forms I laid out before him he happily answered my questions about rank (2nd degree black belt with a decade-plus experience) and results of his last tournament (he won his fight but the board didn’t break).
And I wondered as I gathered the paperwork and walked back to the car why this man’s boss hadn’t yet fired him. Here was a man who dealt with the public on a daily basis, and he could reach across the desk and kill anyone who pissed him off, or looked at him funny, or just because he wanted to. Not only did he possess this unusual skill set but he also had the nerve to talk about it, display it, even flaunt it to everyone who came into the office.
This man was clearly dangerous, yet they continued to let him work.
Imagine that.
Lol, well, who would have the balls to fire him?
Danger would be more in his mindset more than any skill set he might poses.
most martial arts teach peace and self control, using their skill as self defense. He is more of an asset then a hinderance.
Its the ones that are unhappy in their positions that poison a business reputation, those are the ones that should be fired. Especially the ones in customer service.
But I get your point.
The first thing taught in tae kwon do classes is that you don’t use your skills against someone just because you want to. Martial arts are *only* to be used in self-defense. So I don’t think the public or the boss has anything to worry about.
Y’all do understand that I was drawing the comparison between someone who has an unusual and potentially terrifying hobby but keeps his job and someone who has an unusual and potentially terrifying hobby but got fired?
Right?
I get your point. In fact, for a person to flaunt their personal life at work, i think that’d be even better grounds to get fired. But the sad part is, people can abuse the internet, and leave slander to such a extent that if goggle was a hiring tool, anyone who’s ever had a grudge against them would never find work.
But come on, who in the hell would ever google office workers in a non-profit organization? That person used it as a excuse, and it makes me sick.
This post made me literally LOL when I read the last sentence because I knew exactly what you were talking about (being a daily reader and all…)
Excellent point!!
Yes, your point was very well made. My fervent hope is that the exposure that has been given to TBK will help her with finding a new, more accepting employer, soon. Perhaps, this whole awful incident will prove a “blessing” for her.