A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:Im the 3rd oldest at work, 95% my colleagues are under 31.my handwriting isnt good , I try and its kind of ok and legible, but it will never be "really neat." Part of my job means writing and documenting at times, I do my best but since i was a kid Ive had writing issues, I do try and its legible but not " nice" not everyone has super neat writing!! Even at my work.Yrsterday I found out (overheard a smart ass comment) that many people laugh at this and maybe at me,due to this, yes its stupid but i feel very hurt!even though its not nasty, no bullying Im still laughed at. Its already hard being older and I get along professionally with most colleagues, not all but its hard to like all colleagues, even though im excluded socially, I like my job, thats not the issue, the laughing is.. how do i deal with this? I work in a hospital, NOT an office, as said I like my job and am average/ok at it.how can i turn it around so as not to be offended? I was very hurt by the comment I heard yest esp as many, not all, work people apparently laugh!? Am i now the joke of the workplace!thanksplease be nice!
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female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (25 August 2014):
 Too bad that you did not like my answer, but, as for genuine, it was genuine ; " genuine " meaning :
a ) ) actual, real, not fake or false
b ) sincerely and honestly felt or experienced.
It is both an actual and real fact, and also sincerely and honestly felt or experienced by myself, that, in some cases we CAN change what we do not like about ourselves.
Not everything ( ... not our height, race, the parents we were born from, etc. ...) but , some things we CAN change , and handwriting is among them
( except in cases of physical problems / disabilities , of course ) . Handwriting is a very mechanical skill, it is all about practice-practice-practice. There are, or at least there used to be , functional illitterates ( older folks with only a couple of grades of school under their belt ) that yet have a beautiful,elegant signature. That was all they had the chance, or the need, to write in their life, and they perfected THAT.
You have tried to write better and it did not work ? Then maybe you need to try HARDER.
Then again, if you do not want to try HARDER, that's perfectly fine too- better in fact ! It means that it does not bother you THAT much ,at the end of the day, and that you do not want to pour a lot of time and effort into something which is basically irrelevant ( particularly nowadays in times of computers and printed words ).
It's just a small imperfection, a little quirk, a little peculiarity, - which like ANY quirk and imperfection and peculiarity may OCCASIONALLY be noticed, commented upon, joked about.
In which spirit this is done, if in a jocular spirit of camaraderie and harmless wit, or with the malicious , spiteful intent of insulting or disparaging, - that I cannot know for sure. But you can't either, so my guess is as good as yours.
To me, it would stand to reason that, as long as your handwriting is legible enough to not jeopardize work ,or hinder the regular proceedings - people all in all has got other things to take at heart , in a HOSPITAL, and to feel strongly about. And that your handwriting would occupy a very minimal part of their thoughts - even just a source of mirth.
A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (25 August 2014):
 OP,
Cindy's remark was fine. YOUR reaction to it clearly indicates (to me at least) that PART of the issue may be in YOUR personal interpretation of what is going on.
yes they may be laughing but it may not be malicious as much as just a comment on your handwriting. AT least YOURS is legible. I have to TYPE shopping lists so others can read them.
IF you KNOW you do your job correctly and adequately and your BOSS is not complaining, then all you need do is LAUGH with them (or beat them to the punch by criticizing yourself in front of them first) Part of folks making fun of folks or bullying them is knowing it gets a rise out of them.
IF you react so sensitively to EVERYTHING then maybe you want to find a counselor to help you figure out better coping skills.
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A
male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (23 August 2014):
 Cindy was "telling it as it is."..... and you ARE exhibiting 'way too much sensitivity.....
That said, let me relay a story about my first boss, after college. This man was a delightful gentleman... and, to him, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude for how he helped me progress in my first year of my career after college.... Now, about him..... his handwriting was ATROCIOUS!!!! It looked much like a scribbled line... and took most anybody an excruciating exercise to decipher what he's written. In an interesting irony, he also SPOKE has he wrote..... opening his mouth just a little bit, and - effectively - mumbling..... It took lots of practice to communicate with this man..... but I, and many others did so...
The point of my story: You claim to be struggling with your written communications.... but have not said that these others did anything but make fun of your's.... What's the difference???? IF they are deciphering it... and IF your content is just what is supposed to be... THEN, take a deep breath and say to yourself, "I don't care if they make fun of my handwriting.... it's marginally legible... and it includes the content that it is supposed to include.... AND, IT MAKES ME UNIQUE!!!!!!
Have a good day....
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A
female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (23 August 2014):
 I agree with Cindy. So what? Your handwriting isn't the neatest and you know it... Why take that so personal? It has NOTHING to do with your age. It has to do with what people see, "bad" handwriting. I'm a lefty, and over the years I have learned NOT to smudge everything, when I write in pen, it took practise. So if it upset you, there is one thing you can do, IMPROVE on your hand writing.
And I agree, at a workplace like yours, where the "stereotypical doctor's handwriting" is prevalent it might be part of why "some" think it's fun to poke fun of your hand writing. I seriously doubt you are the only one with "bad" handwriting in that place.
Don't take yourself so serious. And let those "jokes" roll of your back.
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A
female
reader, WhenCowsAttack +, writes (23 August 2014):
Wow, you're way too sensitive, Cindy's response WAS genuine, and absolutely spot on. She is a very respected aunt and gives excellent advice.
With your completely out of line reply to her, I see what is going on here. You are extremely thin skinned and are taking this far too seriously. My advice is to grow up and get over it.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 August 2014): I am in a very similar situation, in the fact that I work in a GP practise and am notoriouse for my bad spelling and hand writing (mind I am dyslexic !! Which they know)
In the past iv had people laugh infront of me at work, poke fun,
and comment about it over and over through out my life ! so iv developed a thick skin and how I deal with it, is to laugh at it too..... Or I shrug it off and move on.
I can't do that much about it, even when I do my best writing it's still looks awful, .... And I don't think many people care that much anymore, people are not judged these days, like in the past about hand writing because when it matters we type it on computer :D
I hope this helps
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 August 2014): this s the poster, these comments have happened more than once!!!! it is not a once off remark @cindycares
Of course I know Drs writing is bad !! don't patronise me, I work in a hospital!!
res
and I have tried to make my writing better
genuine replies plse.
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A
female
reader, CindyCares +, writes (23 August 2014):
A - as in " one " - occasional smart ass comment is not being laughed at and ridiculed by the whole world.
Plus, I never heard that handwriting is such as subject for crass, ho-ho-ho, belly laughs; at most for a smile. Otherwise, all chemists and doctors could not show their face in public, have you ever heard the running jokes about " doctor's handwriting " ?.
I think this thing stays in your mind 10 times longer than in theirs. I think you can just ignore it, or let it slide off you, or join the jokes " Yes, I would have made a great physician ".
On the other hand, if it really bothers you that much, and you admit there's room for improvement- then improve it. Exercise at home a bit every day, there are " how - to " booklets and books everywhere for acquiring a neat handwriting.
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