It’s unkind to mock people from the countryside!
I graduated with a degree in economics a few months ago and started working as an accountant at a company…
The first few days on the job took me back years, reminding me of sitting for college entrance exams and semester finals.
I’ll never forget the looks of disdain from the other girls – all polished, trendy, and wearing makeup.
And there I was, a poor country girl terrified of missing the early train, getting confused by the trams and buses, or being late for my exams. I had no time to worry about what I wore or how I looked.
Even after I got accepted, things didn’t change. They still looked down on me, laughing whenever I wore my only closed-toe shoes in the snow.
It’s not about where you’re from but who you are as a person.
They would pass by me, treating me like I was invisible, while I stood there shivering, blowing on my hands to warm them up.
Initially, I wasn’t invited anywhere, but then they started doing the opposite.
They’d often ask me to join them for coffee or a bite to eat, knowing I didn’t have the money and would have to decline.
The teasing and insults brought me closer to Steven, who, like me, came from deep in the countryside, was poor and unfashionable, and a colleague who counted every penny.
We never dated but have remained true friends, leaning on each other and offering support.
Both of us turned out to be tough nuts to crack – he got a job in Manchester to be closer to his parents and help them out.
I had to settle in London because my sister lives nearby, raising my niece on her own and needing my support.
I’ve never shared these experiences with anyone before.
However, not long ago, one of my former colleagues showed up at my new workplace for a business matter. She was cocky and sarcastic until I put her in her place.
I explained that the documents she’d brought were entirely incorrect and, worse, could mislead my bosses. She started to argue aggressively.
But after explaining that raising one’s voice isn’t tolerated in this office, she quickly backed down.
I wanted to retaliate for the ridicule and humiliation her and her friends put me through, but I couldn’t.
I decided that her embarrassment and unrealistic claims were enough.
I’m glad I didn’t let people like her crush me.
