Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-29
THIS AND THAT

to be recommended to the average
worker. The professional Is likely tn
take himself and his work-and others
much too seriously.
We mean that he tends to lose his
sense OF humor. Now there Is no walk
Of life in which a sense Of humor Il
more to be priced than in business.
Almost any young lady secretary tc
Big Business Man will tell you (pro-
vided she is sure that you will not tail.
out OF season, that a saving sense of
humor is necessary in her work.
The Boss may have an appendix fol-
n favorite topic of conversation. One
Of the Secretary's duties Is to take q
tremendous interest," real, motherly
interest-in that appendix.
She can tell just when It Ii botherine
him and why 1t should come out. When
1t does come out she sends flowers, and
to her eternal credit, does not expect q
raise" for them.
Such things demand a keen sense OF
humor, OF course, and the employee in
any walk OF business who Is able to see
the fun as he goes along has a better
chance Of being happy than he who
solemnly views life as Straight Road
strewn with carpet tacks.
Here Is q true experience in q local
firm which shows what we mean: A
young man, one of the firms best work.
erS, stopped in to have little chat with
q sweet girl secretary (also one Of the
hest).
The door between the antechamber
and the main Office was open. The
Chief was holding an informal confer
ence with a caller. The young man
and the Secretary talked in modulated
voices, both realizing that loud talk or
laughter would be out Of place.
Both we're surprised, therefore. when
the Chief arose, walked over, and, with
out word or glance, shut the door.
Now, here is where the difference in
attitude comes in. The Secretary was
offended, She felt, perhaps with some
justice, that the action was q direct
and undeserved criticism of her. The
young man, who possessed q keen sense
Of the huHor In all situations and who
had had many more years Of business
experience, felt neither rebuffed, hurt
nor displeased in any way. The hap
pening left him cold, or perhaps cool
would be better word. It actually
meant nothing In his life. He knew
that the man was in error, and. being
a good sport, probably would be willing
to admit it, but he also realized that
he himself, from the purely business
oooAlAHOIlIB 1lh0 uO puolLlcSS IIllAlDR So
ciety with business. He also knew that
the chances were at least eight to two
that the Chief wanted to talk over
something privately, that was all.
*
Little incidents such as this come up
every day In all sorts of businesses, and
the best way to meet them Is with an
open mind, heart not too easily hurt,
and the saving grace of good humor.
He who can work for the fun of 1t,
or who can kid himself into the belief
that he Is working for the sport Of 1t,
stands better chance Of getting some
where than the man or woman who
assumes a wrinkled brow and talks all
the time of life being earnest.
OF course, 1t is earnestl But there
is great deal Of fun in 1t, too. The
very fact that one is alive and breathing
is a great deal, is it not? AS long as
there's life there's hope, says the old
saying.
The boys who want work for the fun
and experience of the thing may be
preaching sermons to all Of US. And
they are not dull sermons, either, but
lively, "peppy' ones, as modern as to-
morrow's sunrise.