We worked at a warehouse that we have to sort out boxes and packaged mail. I've(M24) been working there for about a year and I was given the "Employee of the Month" placard three weeks ago. I wouldn't say I'm the best at my job, just following instructions and make sure everybody gets their stuff organized, so the delivery vans can picked them up.

I had a co-worker (M30) that I was very fond and I say we make great friends while we're on break. We chat about what on the news together, we share webcomics, talked about online drama on YouTube, almost everything as if we completely knew from childhood. He's been in the workplace for much longer than I have and I say he has 4 years of experience on his behalf. I also heard that he never given a high position, nor an employee of the month - making things very strange! About his personality, he was very known to be to relaxed, optimistic, straightforward and very well-informed on certain topics that he likes. The only flaw I could think of that is he gets too chatty and rambles on without letting others speaks -- overtaking the lead when it supposed to be two people talking. Even though he wasn't doing it on purpose, it can be frustrating at times. Nonetheless, we have confiding with each ever through good and bad.

But all of that changes yesterday, a hectic Tuesday that is. An inspection day with association of Staples higher-ups. This was during break, due to late trailers. Because of that, we have to wait almost 2 hours for the trucks to come, making it tedious. I was already exhausted, dealing with a heavy flow but this takes the cake. (Damn second manager says I've have been "not taking care" of the back as the boxes are piling on the rails. Well, NO SHIT, SHERLOCK! I'm trying to manage the sort codes left and right while the quantity of these cardboard and wrapped shit keeps popping up fast.) Sorry for the rant, but here's the important stuff.

While we're talking about a murder case (that woman killed her three kids and got some supporters blaming her husband for the cause), he was making some pauses before trying to get some details of what he's speaking about. I was miffed as I really want to know the rest of the story, so I told him to be out with it. By the second time I told him to go on with it -- that's when everything got from zero to a hundred. We didn't have a screaming match or some other fight like that: but it was a tipping point that my annoyance pushed him to be straight up fatalistic. He started things off with: "I'm going to be a little mean but honest with you, because I've been seeing issues with you." He goes on how my behavior is very standoffish, especially when talking.

To exemplify, he brought up a previous conversation that we had a week or two ago - I was a little too enthusiastic while sharing, which attracted (Only he noticed, not me) a few glares from some part-time hires. The topic was the pointlessness of the gender wars, which I was ready to voice out my opinions on it. My coworker also brought up the day when we're still getting to know each other - he noted that I told him to "shut up" whenever he goes rambling as usual during work. Only when I wasn't being irritated by the heavy conveyor belt flow and floaty crap, he wanted to approach me.

When hearing this, I was a little hurt by those statements. Saying that I didn't tear up would be a massive lie. To be fair, the lines had me overwhelmed as I had to deal with heavy irregs and being moved from on place to another. I allowed my stress get the better of me. And another thing, I did apologize that past time as I was annoyed with the online drama which I really liked to give out my input on it in-person. I admit that I can be abrupt and impatient sometimes, but the way he phrased it sounded like I'm some pompous rich kid who wants things to be easier for him. I am a reserved and sensitive type of guy; with low-esteem issues. The idea of a man strutting with a big ego on his shoulders, overtaking conversations doesn't describe me at all. Looking back at my childhood, I never got a chance to speak what I want to say - only stuck to listening most of my life. I do have some moments that I jump into discussions out of turn, because I want to be part of a group -- to share my takes like everyone else who don't want to be sidelined as an afterthought.

The worst part was not him laying the issues of my behavior to him or my lack of awareness when speaking. It was him saying my tone telling him to finish what he had to say after pausing a few times was "condescending." That word hit me like a brick. Even when he says he doesn't think that I'm a bad person as we did open up a little at the beginning - it showed me something else: that I was a nuisance who happens to control himself a little while. Had me thinking I was the only one who thought we were cool with each other. I honestly can't look at him the same.

After when break was over, he and I went back with the others, trying to pretend that nothing happened. But even after work was over; even when I'm at home; his words still ache inside.

Am I really full of myself?

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