[Juersdodfs]

Hi everyone. I don't have a major prayer request or anything but if you could offer me any advice or pray for me it would be much appreciated.

I am 21 years old and I work in a restaurant part time,..Its a good job which I am very thankful to God for and received after many prayers. The only thing is I don't really fit in well with the people I work with. There are a few waitresses and they always act really perverse with one another. I am nice and social with them but they sense I am not really like them and they look at me like I'm strange or they are trying to figure me out. Because of this I am treated like I am younger than they are somehow, even though I am not and I am ignored alot. Is it so weird that I find their humour perverse? What can I do to improve the situation?

God bless!

[viagracheapest]

Firstly welcome Theodora!

I understand how you feel, as I have been in your situation. The best thing is ignore them and just do your work. I too, found it upsetting when some people would say rude things, knowing too well I didnt like it, and felt uncomftable.

However, after walking away and continuing with my work, still being pleasant with them, they seem to have stopped. Its like a pidgeon, if you give it bread it will come back, however, if you stop giving it bread it wont, it will fly away elsewhere. And it is so refreshing that you being a 21 year old, doesn't like this kind of humour. I wish all young girls your age had the same idea.

Pray to our Panagia to help you as well, that always works.

Hope this helps!

[namaikaimvputka]

Theodora,

I'm in a similar situation. I'm 24 and work full-time in a factory. Most of the people that I work with are very decent, but sometimes I'll hear a comment or a joke that makes me uncomfortable. When that happens, I find it best to think about my own sinfulness, and to have compassion rather than pass judgment. Often that is harder than it sounds, in which case I become literally more sinful than the person I am judging.

Are you new to the restaurant? Old workers are often resentful of new workers, especially if the new workers behave differently from them. But this resentment tends not to last; as soon as there's a newer worker, it is passed on. The danger is that, when this newer worker shows up, it is very difficult not to take part in this resentment against him or her. I have noticed this in myself especially, and have found it particularly vicious.

Jeremy

[marketheal]

Well, from my great age (61) I can say with some authority that is has always been like this for pious young people. Time after time I have seen it where, just because they are good, and trying to follow their faith, they are shunned or even worse by those with no faith and no morals. I had some very nice Muslim men working for me who went through just this, and it got worse when their parents found them a bride and wanted to go home at night rather than going out on the town.

Treat it as a test, and try not to worry about it, give the issue to God. If you listen to the psalms you will hear time after time how we are all surrounded by those who hate us (the psalms are a great source of inspiration), but like King David, we have to turn to God steadfastly.

When we are young we are looking to build our circle of life-friends, eventually to find a spouse perhaps. We naturally have a great concern for our popularity. Try and build your circle from friends at Church or at least amongst people of faith, then you will not be concerned that those without faith don't like you. And don't forget to pray for them all.

There is another aspect to this too. If you don't rise to the bait, continue to remain sweet and social, despite all this, then there is a chance that some of them might see your light for what it is.

Love, In Christ,
Richard.