ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > June > 20
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Pranksters among us
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forty hours a week, week in and week out, is far too long to be serious nonstop. It’s difficult not to engage in a little good-spirited teasing or practical-joking when you spend all that time with the same people — some of whom seem to be natural “targets” and some of whom seem to be natural “perpetrators.” And it’s almost impossible if you are surrounded by intelligent people with great senses of humor — and perhaps a bit too much time on their hands every now and then.
Sometimes, creative and/or maniacal genius shines through in practical jokes played on co-workers. Niketa Patel, the moderator of BlogBreak and a colleague of mine, recently e-mailed me a PowerPoint presentation of some purported pranks played when the “victims” were on vacation or out of the office for an extended time. For example, one hapless worker returned to find every item on his or her desk — keyboard, monitor, stapler, the works! — individually wrapped in newspaper. Another witty prankster covered every surface of a work space with aluminum foil. Perhaps the best-known (and most-e-mailed) of these photos is the cubicle filled to the brim with foam packing peanuts. Even if, as cynics may claim, some or all of these are manipulated photos, some “virtual practical-joker” still came up with these beautifully warped ideas.
Admittedly, I am a born target. Co-workers have teased me at every job, and I’ve often been the recipient of some creative and interesting practical jokes. (Take vacation time with caution if you are the frequent “victim”!) One of my favorites occurred last year. I sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair at work, and I returned from vacation to find a few of my little stuffed animals lined up in front of my keyboard — all sitting on small “stress balls” and facing the screen. This little prank didn’t take long to execute or to disassemble (unlike if everything on my desk had been wrapped in tin foil!), but it was funny — and it let me know my boss was thinking of me while I was gone!
Some practical jokes take more planning and require more time and effort. One of my friends worked for an auto-insurance company. When a member of her office group was on vacation, she and a few co-conspirators meticulously moved everything from his desk to a vacant desk nearby. They made sure to arrange everything the same way so that the “new desk” would look exactly like his actual desk had looked when he left it.
What’s the best, most creative practical joke you ever played on a co-worker — or what’s the best one that ever was played on you? Has any workplace practical joke backfired on you or someone else? Does your work group have a sense of humor about these things? How do you know whether someone will be a good sport about a practical joke or whether it’s best to leave well enough alone?
