Office politics: To sign or not to sign

Cards. There is an excuse to send one for just about every day of your life. When it’s your birthday, when it’s a holiday, when you are sick, when you got a promotion, when you moved, when you graduated, when you had a baby, when you are sad, when you are happy, when you need thanked, when you get married, when you get divorced, etc. And just when you thought there was no reason for you to send a card, they come out with the ‘just because’ card. Genius.

There are always cards floating around at work. They are ready to be signed. The cards at my work come with a list of names of people in the department. This ensures everyone signs the card. Once you sign, you initial the list next to your name, date it, and then pass it on to the next person on the list. That is not a joke. I laughed at it once and get the stink eye for three days. The dilemma comes when you don’t know the person you are congratulating/ thanking/ hoping to feel better. It’s s0o0o0o0o0 awkward.

I have a friend whose policy is to sign birthday cards, not sympathy cards, for people she doesn’t know. I think it isn’t important WHAT your policy is, it’s just important that you HAVE one. Like a retirement plan. It’s not really about WHAT your plan is, it just important that you HAVE one.

My other problem is, I feel compelled to be witty. I’m a funny person, but please remember that I’m also an accountant. I usually come up with something along the lines of:
Best wishes!
Good luck!
Congrats!
Get well soon!
Disgusting, I know.

I’ve always wanted to sign someone random’s name on the card. Just to see if the person noticed…. For example:
Get well! -Mike Tyson
Good luck! -President Obama
Congrats! -Pee Wee Herman
Best wishes! -The Blind Guy from American Idol

I was in a meeting the other day. There were two random, obscure cards going around for all to sign. One bday, one congrats. No names. I signed them both. What if that was some huge practical joke that I wasn’t in on? If so, genius. Everyone on the list signed it. : )