Surrounded By Idiots.

I know that there are naggers and bashers in every class. However, what would you do if that almost the entire class are acting like idiots?

I know that there are naggers and bashers in every class. However, what would you do if that almost the entire class are acting like idiots?

Become invisible. Put what you are trying to accomplish ahead of any distractions around you and stay focused. Their kind of behavior and attitude is why out of a class of twenty, only five or so actually have a career in this industry. You obviously care because you asked. You want it more than they do so brush them aside and go get it.

RT said it perfectly! In my personal case with training class, I could spot those few, almost as second nature, and avoided them at all costs. talk, talk talk. I showed up early, the first to hit the door, the first to sign in and when everyone else was yapping away, I chose to study the PTI posters on the wall. Followed up with an email to the lead instructor which, when I arrived again here yesterday , he said made his day. Not kiss-butting, but letting him know I take this so seriously. Let the others look back with regrets....not me!

Just think how good they make you look!

-mountain girl

Just think how good they make you look!

-mountain girl

Mountain girl said it best!

Just think how good they make you look!

-mountain girl

Mountain Girl, as usual, adds more awesomeness to the conversation.

Mountain Girl, as usual, adds more awesomeness to the conversation.

Somebody has a crush ...

I like what RT said about becoming invisible. You're also going to potentially find this same dynamic at the work place. I've met some great guys - sincere, genuine, mature, and yet with a playful sense of humor. Then you got the young bucks that still think they're in a junior high popularity contest, or feel the need to have the best story, or the need to have the best prank, or the need to educate the world on some of the most meaningless stuff - and there are the drivers older than me that act just the same as the youngsters. Man-children.

You've got your super trucker wannabees and your drivers that are in the background, quietly doing their job. You notice the loudmouths, because that's their defining quality that attracts the rest of the herd, or repels the people like yourself that just want to do their job without the drama.

Whether in school or in the workplace, it's easy to spot the yahoos, the quiet ones are the guys/gals I make a point to introduce myself to. They generally won't gossip about you or get involved in the drama. Ignore the yahoos, even if you wind up being a bit of a loner.

Whew...almost like a rant.

I agree with all of the sentiments above. The idiots that don't care and don't take it seriously are simply going to make you look 1000 times better. Definitely go out of your way to avoid them because the instructors will be watching to see what groups form during the training. To the instructors it's like reading an open book. They probably know within the first few hours of the first day which people will certainly not make it through the course and they'll watch to see who they hang out with. People will tend to migrate toward others that share their attitudes and perspectives. If you're hanging out with them and getting along well they'll figure you're just like them and it's going to make it much more difficult to prove yourself. They'll assume you must have that same failing attitude.

So just separate yourself from the clowns. If you can find a few people that take it seriously like you do then work together whenever possible. But avoid the others like a plague. Basically, they have a contagious disease which will soon require them to be sent home permanently. Hang around them too long and you'll either get it yourself or the instructors will assume you have it, which is almost as bad.

You know I had a grandfather who would always tell me......look at it like this If you hang with the mange you will get the mange....when I was young .I told him I don't understand ? He said there is always positive and negative people around ......fewer positive.So look at it this way.....if they have something about them you don't want or care for.......don't hang with. Because labels are hard to get rid of once people give them. As I got older I realized that we all label new people we meet,and you know the first impression I is the most important one. And the next few times we see them is when we are choosing to label them as who we believe they are. So hold you head high even if you have no others to hang with. In the end you will not have their labels. Yes,I know it can be lonely at times.....keep smiling and remember you are not there for them. You are there for YOU! Look at all the friends you have here....positive ones. Trucking Truth is full of good people.