Hi ladies - when I had been only at my job a month it became quite apparent my workmates were going to be well 'interesting'.  I went to my boss and laid it all out on the table. 

Six months later nothing has changed.  My workmates have been in their job since forever.  They are rude to clients and other staff, suck up to the ones they do like, spend half their time gossiping, take long lunches, and get away with it.  I like to be polite and professional at work and these guys are just dragging me down. 

Maybe it is too much because I am working there full time lately.  Usually I work there part time.  Sometimes I work at another location on site, and it is like a dream in comparison - we have a good time, but we are professional and the work gets done. 

Hi Bizzy - my office is a bit of a broom closet!  I am starting to spread myself thinly when it comes to spending down time with my work mates though. 

What would you girls do?  I really need to vent, and would be interested in tactful ways of dealing with my situation. 

There are 3 of us secretaries at work.  I am the newbie and have my own office, the other 2 are joined at the hip and share another office.  At morning tea time the 'designated spot' is their office. They virtually ignore me and I feel pretty uncomfy sitting there. There's another morning tea group but I don't want to rock the boat by suddenly going there, plus I'm shy. 

Then when one of my colleagues is on leave suddenly the other one will go all 'best buddy' on me, even gossiping to me about the other.  Later, when both staff are back together I go back to being the spare wheel. 

They are very negative, gossipy, destructive types and I'm not bothered to be their friend, but I try to be polite as I have to work with them. 

Both of them are on leave at various stages next week, so obviously they're going to try their two-faced friendliness again and want to share gossip about the other - but I'm just done with it.