Naivety Strikes Again

I am often what one would call “naïve.” Things that seem to be universally known somehow pass by me—leading to some rather awkward situations. Like today, for example: I am fairly new at my office and I am still in the process of decorating my cubicle. I have hung a few things, but the walls still seem bare.

.

While at home yesterday for family dinner, I came across an old sign in one of my bags of “things I don’t know what to do with so I will continue to ignore.” It is an old, rusty sign bearing what I thought was a rather funny message. So, I threw it in the car and brought it to work.

.

Rather proud of myself for decorating my office space so quickly, I tacked up the old sign and went to work. Hours later someone made a comment on the sign—which led to a group discussion about the sign—which led to a plethora of meanings that had never crossed my mind—which led to a sinking, incredibly embarrassed sensation (this includes the usual bright-red face, etc.).

.

This led to more discussion and more uncomfortable-ness. Needless to say, I now realize the full meaning of my little rusty sign. After the discussion was over and everyone returned to their cubicles, I was left with “the sign” glaring at me from the wall. I turned around and tried to get back to work, but I could feel it boring into my back.

.

I finally turned around and as discreetly as possible removed the said sign and shoved it under my desk. Yet the damage is already done.

.

The only way to get through these experiences is to take notes and try to avoid them in the future.

.

I guess I learned 3 things from this encounter:

1-    I now understand the meaning behind my sign and will not make the mistake of displaying it again.

2-    Naivety must run in my blood, as I got the sign at a family reunion and no one else seemed to think anything amiss.

3-    In my utter humiliation I researched naivety on the Internet. According to the Free Online Dictionary it means “lack of worldliness.” So I must be doing something right… right?