📆 08.03.21 – 12.03.21 📆
To whoever is reading this,
Before I started this job, the best piece of advice I received was to be respectful of everyone – it’s not just the partners you need to look up to. We literally wouldn’t be able to function if it wasn’t for all the support staff in the firm. Working from home gave me a whole new sense of appreciation – in our team, we only had 1 secretary in the office, doing the post for everyone!
Being a nice person seems like it should go without saying. But this week, the main lesson I’ve learned is how to deal with rude people.
Don’t give me wrong, I’ve had my fair share of horrible experiences. Working for my family’s ice-cream business, I could never understand why customers would scream in my face about the price. Firstly, I don’t make the decisions. Secondly, I’M NOT FORCING YOU to buy it! When I was 18, I became the youngest supervisor at my part-time job (not working for my family, it was a real achievement, not nepotism). It was right next to a pub, so I’ve had plenty of experiences with aggressive drunks as well.
You’d think I’d be able to handle myself by now, but it still effects me a lot. Working in litigation has definitely helped toughen me up – i have a folder in my emails for all the hateful mail I receive. You might think that’s weird, but sometimes I re-read them, to try and train myself not to get too upset. It also motivates me in a really strange way? It might not work for everyone, or anyone else, but it’s helped me, improved my self confidence. It’s something I’ve always lacked, so I’m grateful to these people.
But sometimes it can still be a real test –This week, one person went so far as to write me an email – saying I was “only hired to meet diversity criteria…” Honestly, it’s 2021, I don’t understand how people are still so ignorant.
Anyway, it got me thinking – like any mixed-race person, I’ve had to come to terms with my ‘identity crisis’ – being half Italian, half Vietnamese, growing up in England, being raised one way at home, trying to fit in at school. It was exhausting. I used to hate the fact I looked so different. It wasn’t until I was much older, I’m talking university level, that I started to realise I should appreciate and be proud of where I’m from.
My mum used to tell me, the worse someone is to you, whatever horrible things they are saying, if you keep smiling, it’s harder for them to continue.
So rather than bracing myself for a fight, that’s what I try to remember every time I pick up the phone.
I hope you all enjoyed reading today’s diary entry! See you all in the next one.
Lots of love
Ang
Legally Correct 