#working

[proteidaes]

Monday again!!! 💻🌪️

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photoshop

[the-most-humble-blog]

What Did You Just Say? How ‘What?’ Became the Verbal Middle Finger

Tone, Timing, and Why Your Innocent ‘What?’ Sounds Like a Threat

Once upon a time, the word "what" was just a neutral, functional question. Something you’d say when you didn’t hear someone or needed clarification. But somewhere along the way, “What?” became less about understanding and more about making someone else feel like they’ve said the dumbest thing on the planet.

These days, a simple “What?” can sound like you’re ready to throw hands. Add a bit of tone, and it’s less of a question and more of a full-blown insult. Let’s unpack how we turned the most basic phrase into verbal warfare.

1. The Evolution of ‘What?’: From Clarification to Confrontation

At its core, “What?” is supposed to be harmless. But let’s be real—it hasn’t been harmless in years.

The Side-Eye What: Paired with a look that could cut glass, this isn’t a request for clarification—it’s a challenge.

The Long-Distance What: Shouted from another room, it’s a declaration of “I can’t be bothered to come hear you, but I’ll yell until you repeat yourself.”

The Aggro What: When someone says something so outrageous, your “What?” carries the weight of “Are you kidding me right now?”

Just a Thought: "‘What?’ isn’t just a word anymore—it’s a mood, a vibe, and occasionally the opportunity to make a co-worker hate your face."

2. Why Tone is Everything

Say “What?” in the wrong tone, and suddenly you’re in a verbal standoff.

Flat Tone: Confused but polite.

Rising Tone: Genuinely didn’t hear you.

Descending Tone: "Explain yourself, clown."

Rising-Then-Flat Tone: This is the “Are you actually serious?” masterpiece. It’s less about misunderstanding and more about making someone else feel like an idiot.

3. ‘I’m Sorry’: The New Aggression Cloaked in Politeness

If “What?” is the verbal slap, “I’m sorry” is the passive-aggressive grenade. Depending on context, it can go from innocent to devastating in three words:

Innocent: “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

Polite Confrontation: “I’m sorry… what did you just say?”

Passive Aggressive: "I'm Sorry...?!"

Weaponized: “I’m sorry, do you hear yourself?”

Relatable Truth: “I’m sorry” isn’t always an apology—it’s a prelude to telling someone they’re dumb.

4. How Conversations Became Landmines

We live in a world where tone, timing, and delivery matter more than the words themselves. And if you’re not careful, your casual “What?” can turn into:

A fight over who’s being disrespectful.

A passive-aggressive back-and-forth that goes nowhere.

A one-way ticket to awkward silence.

Pro Tip: If your ‘What?’ comes with any eye-roll energy, be ready to defend your entire existence.

5. The Real Problem: People Are Just Tired

Let’s be honest—half the aggression behind phrases like “What?” or “I’m sorry” isn’t personal. People are overworked, overtired, and over the nonsense.

Miscommunication is often less about what was said and more about who’s running on caffeine and a granola bar.

Your ‘What?’ hit them the wrong way because they were already one bad moment away from losing it on the next overachiever.

6. How to Avoid Accidentally Starting a Fight

If you don’t want your innocent phrases to come off as accidental verbal grenades, try this:

Tone-Check: Speak like you’re clarifying, not challenging.

Add Context: Replace “What?” with “Sorry, I missed that—could you repeat it?” (Yes, it’s more words, but it’ll save your sanity.)

Drop the Ego: Sometimes, the other person is just sensitive. Let them have it.

Or, just embrace the chaos. If your “What?” ruins someone’s day, maybe they needed a wake-up call anyway. F--k it.

It’s Not Just You—Words Are Loaded Now

In the age of overthinking and endless communication, even the simplest words can feel like punches. But here’s the good news: recognizing the power of tone, timing, and context means you can either diffuse or ignite situations at will. So, use your ‘What?’ wisely—or don’t. Sometimes chaos is fun.

[kalavathiraj]

It’s better to sweat in the lab of work rather than wasting precious minutes in the high castle of procrastination. -starting ‘somewhere’

Life Lessons, QUOTUS

[thatbadadvice]

Help! I'm a Perfect Genius, but This Potential Employer Asked Me a Boring Interview Question!

Ask A Manager, 13 Feb 2024:

I was rejected from a role for not answering an interview question. I had all the skills they asked for, and the recruiter and hiring manager loved me. I had a final round of interviews — a peer on the hiring team, a peer from another team that I would work closely with, the director of both teams (so my would-be grandboss, which I thought was weird), and then finally a technical test with the hiring manager I had already spoken to. (I don’t know if it matters but I’m male and everyone I interviewed with was female.) The interviews went great, except the grandboss. I asked why she was interviewing me since it was a technical position and she was clearly some kind of middle manager. She told me she had a technical background (although she had been in management 10 years so it’s not like her experience was even relevant), but that she was interviewing for things like communication, ability to prioritize, and soft skills. I still thought it was weird to interview with my boss’s boss. She asked pretty standard (and boring) questions, which I aced. But then she asked me to tell her about the biggest mistake I’ve made in my career and how I handled it. I told her I’m a professional and I don’t make mistakes, and she argued with me! She said everyone makes mistakes, but what matters is how you handle them and prevent the same mistake from happening in the future. I told her maybe she made mistakes as a developer but since I actually went to school for it, I didn’t have that problem. She seemed fine with it and we moved on with the interview. A couple days later, the recruiter emailed me to say they had decided to go with someone else. I asked for feedback on why I wasn’t chosen and she said there were other candidates who were stronger. I wrote back and asked if the grandboss had been the reason I didn’t get the job, and she just told me again that the hiring panel made the decision to hire someone else. I looked the grandboss up on LinkedIn after the rejection and she was a developer at two industry leaders and then an executive at a third. She was also connected to a number of well-known C-level people in our city and industry. I’m thinking of mailing her on LinkedIn to explain why her question was wrong and asking if she’ll consider me for future positions at her company but my wife says it’s a bad idea. What do you think about me mailing her to try to explain?

Sir,

You have been wronged in the most grievous of ways by a coven of retaliatory, self-aggrandizing women who have failed in the extreme to recognize your brilliance, your talent, and above all, your general superiority.

Of course you should mail this mediocre "grandboss" on LinkedIn to inform her of the deep offense she caused you by interviewing you in the first place, let alone doing so using a boring question — indeed, you have a moral and professional obligation to do so in order to preserve your honor and the honor of scores of men like you who have never done a single solitary thing wrong in their lives, ever.

But I beg you to consider doing more. A single, private message to one incompetent bitch may not convey to the necessary parties the depth and breadth of the situation. Many, many people have important lessons to learn from your experience, and I encourage you to share it widely. Consider making a public LinkedIn post, and ensure that it is shareable across platforms. Depending on your financial resources, a billboard with your name, professional headshot, and contact information could go a long way toward ensuring that everyone in your industry who needs to know just how you handled the way these women treated you, does know about it. I hope that in your continuing job search, you are able to connect with potential employers who have a much better grasp of all you bring to the table.

[animentality]

[incognitopolls]

For the purposes of this poll, "sitting still" means sitting without shaking your legs, fidgeting, rocking/bouncing in your seat, tapping your fingers, etc. Literally sitting absolutely still aside from purely utilitarian movements such as leaning forward to look closer, turning to get a pen out of a drawer, etc.

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[thegoodmorningman]

I'm just asking you to do your job.

[evanpeterswhoresblog]

I love your fics omg you're so talented

Can you make an adult world fic? Alex obviously. Like reader is working with him and Alex keeps pushing vibrators on her skin and laughing n stuff. Then she's sick of his shit right so then she goes to the back and does her thing out there but Alex keeps teasing her and he goes out back with her and he starts to like rub himself on her and put her hand on his boner. Stuff like that. Kinda non con but the reader likes it she just doesn't want to admit it.

Can you make Alex make the reader give him head too? If it's too much just do the teasing. Luv u <3

i tried my best to make this fit your request i hope i did alright, i’ve never really written anything non con i don’t even know if this fits as the category lol but either way hope you enjoy :)

~~~

The Late Shift

Alex (Adult World) x f!reader

warnings: smut, unprotected p in v, slight non con, oral male receiving, sex toys (not used for sex tho), pretty rough sex tbh, lmk what else if i missed any

summary: as you and alex are doing your last work for the night, things take a different turn than what you expected…

word count: 2.2k

~~~

You’ve never been big on sex. You like it of course. But you’ve never been one to experiment with sex toys or watch a ton of porn. So how you ended up working for a sex shop is a mystery. You were desperate for a job, and Adult World happened to be the closest, easiest place hiring. It’s been an easy job, for the most part. Except for one thing.

Your manager.

Alex is a good person, he’s funny, kind, and when you’re confused on anything he’s a great help. The only issue is how fucking attracted you are to him. You swear he’s the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen. His dark curly hair, dark mysterious eyes, he’s perfect. You’ve never wanted a guy more than you want Alex. It makes working with him hard, but so far, you’ve managed. Barely.

Right now, the two of you are unpacking new sex toys for the store. You talk casually, but you focus more of your attention on the crazy shapes and sizes these dildos are. Alex must notice your surprise.

“Would you ever use one of these?” He asks, holding up a glass dildo with patterns on it.

You chuckle. “I think that thing would tear me apart.”

“I’ve seen girls stick way crazier things up their pussy’s, like food and shit,” Alex replies with a laugh.

“So that’s what you jerk off to? Good to know,” you tease.

“Yeah, I bet you wanted to know. Just so you know, ff I go searching tomorrow night and find a video of you sticking a cucumber up your pussy, I’ll cum so hard.”

You feel your cheeks go red at his comment but keep your composer. Sometimes Alex says things that make you a little uncomfortable, but you know it’s all jokes so you don’t care too much. Plus, it gives you hope that maybe he has the same feelings for you.

“Hey y/n, get a look at this,” Alex says.

Before you can look you feel the vibrations on your skin. You flinch and push Alex’s hand away, but he keeps putting the vibrator on you. He’s laughing, you’re not. You don’t find his distractions entertaining right now. After a few seconds of this you slap the vibrator out of his hand and glare at him.

“Stop Alex, I’m trying to work,” you snap. He keeps laughing and with each second that passes you become more annoyed.

“It’s just a joke calm your tits. I’m the manager dude it’s not like we’re gonna get in trouble for talking,” he replies.

You huff. “Just, stop okay.”

“How about you stop being such a buzz kill,” he mumbles under his breath.

You ignore his comment and continue to unpack. Things are calm for a few minutes, before Alex gets his hands on another vibrator. He presses it against your cheek this time. You immediately slap his hand away again, but this time you stand up and try your hardest not to lose your cool. He looks up at you, about to speak, but you cut him off before he can.

“I’m gonna take this box out to the garbage,” you say, picking up an empty box that once contained a number of dildos and walking to the back door without listening to his reply.

You wonder why he’s being so difficult tonight. He typically talks a lot during your shifts together, but this is different. Usually, his jokes and comments aren’t too bad, why’s tonight different? You get to the back of the store quick and stuff the box into the dumpster. When that’s done you lean back on the brick wall, a sigh escapes your lips at the silence, it’s nice not hearing Alex’s voice. You grab your phone out of your pocket and start to text your friends back.

Sadly, your peace is interrupted after only five minutes. Alex calls your name from the door, telling you to come back in and help him finish before you guys have to close up. You silently curse but follow his instructions. You feel a bit bad; you know he’s not trying to make you upset, but he just is. You promise yourself you’ll try your hardest to tolerate him, after all you only have an hour left till the store closes. You can suck it up.

You’re walking down one of the aisles when Alex appears in front of you. You give him a small smile. You feel worse looking at his innocent face. Maybe you were overreacting.

“Sorry for walking out, I’m just tired and I want to go home,” you apologize.

“I get it, I’m sorry if I was being annoying, I really like making you laugh. Sometimes I try too hard,” he replies with a small laugh.

You smile. “That’s sweet.”

“You think so?”

You begin to walk toward him, toward the last unopened boxes. “Of course, I’m very flattered you enjoy my laughter. But anyway, how about we speed through the last of the boxes and go home early? You think they’ll notice?”

“Probably not,” he answers.

You’re close enough to him that you expect him to move aside so you can go to the unfinished work, but he doesn’t. Instead of moving he simply stares down at you, a strange look in his eyes. You know that look, you’ve looked at him like that. He wants you. If it were any other day, you’d be ecstatic. But right now, all you want to do is finish the tasks and go home. You look around him, trying to signal that you want him to move. He doesn’t.

“So, let's get this shit over with,” you say, clear as day about what you want.

He still doesn’t move. “You know y/n, you’re more fun when you aren’t taking this job seriously.” He steps closer to you, only a foot now separating the two of you. “I want that version of you right now.”

You laugh awkwardly. “Come on Alex, I just want to go home.”

“I’ll be quick, but I assumed you wanted something that would last longer.”

He puts his hands on your shoulders and backs you up against a shelf. Your heart rate quickens, is this real? You stare into his eyes, a confused expression on your face. You’ve had dreams of this happening, but in all of them you wanted it, right now you don’t exactly want it.

“Alex...” you say. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t play coy, I’ve seen the way you look at me. I know you want this too,” he answers, his lips curling up into a devilish smirk. He presses his body against you and you feel how hard he is, it makes you gasp. “I want it really bad.”

You don’t know what to say. Part of you wants to push him off you and run out of the store, but another part of you wants to see where this goes. You feel him start to rub himself against your leg, it makes you feel paralyzed. He’s too strong to push away, you think. It would be useless to try. So, you realize your fate lies with what Alex chooses to do.

He leans his head down, softly pressing his lips against yours. You can’t deny how long you’ve wanted this to happen. You just wish it wasn’t happening right this second. Nevertheless, you kiss him back, your mind adjusting to the knowledge that this is going to happen. You let him grope your breasts, squeezing and massaging them through your shirt. You even let him scoop you up in his arms and carry you to one of the desks in the back office. Though, you didn’t have much of a choice to start with.

He lays you down on a desk, his lips moving feverishly with yours. You can’t keep it together. His lips are moving so aggressively, they’re so soft. He bites down on your bottom lip and you groan into his mouth, the pain making that feeling between your thighs grow. He pulls his lips away and starts to kiss down your neck, leaving hickeys behind as he takes your delicate skin into his mouth. You throw your head back and moan, he pushes your knees apart and fills the space with his body.

“Alex... are there any cameras back here?” You ask, your breath ragged as he sucks a spot near your collar bone.

“Course not,” he answers in a hushed tone.

“Are you sure we should be doing this? What if someone comes in?” You’re second guessing this, maybe you should’ve protested more. The last thing you want is to have a customer come in and catch this.

“Just be quiet y/n it’s fine,” he responds.

You’re about to speak again, but that’s when he starts to rub one of his hands up your thigh and right between your thighs. You moan again as he starts to rub you through your pants. He knows exactly what he’s doing and it makes you feel like your body is floating.

He trails his kisses back up your neck until he catches your lips again. You kiss him hard, your arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer. You buck your hips; you need more pressure. Alex understands this and presses his fingers harder on your jeans right over your clit. You’re so wet, you need him. You’ve never felt such desire for another human being.

“I want you to do something for me,” Alex says against your lips.

“Anything,” you reply without thinking, you’re too wrapped up on how good he’s rubbing you.

He pulls back and you open your eyes, he’s unbuckling his belt. You sit up on your elbows and watch as he pulls down his jeans, his hard cock very noticeable. He grabs your hands and pulls you forward till you’re off the desk. You’re confused until he pushes you down onto your knees, his crotch right in front of your face. You look up at him, he brushed a hand though your hair.

You don’t really want to suck his dick, but you’re too afraid of him forcing you that you don’t object. Instead, you pull him boxers down and stoke him gently. He sighs in pleasure and continues to brush his fingers through your hair. You don’t waste any more time. You start by slowly swirling your tongue around his tip, enjoying the way he whispers your name. After that, you lick down his shaft, you don’t like when dicks are dry down your throat.

Soon enough you’re deepthroating him, practically gagging on his dick. He’s a moaning mess, both his hands tangled in your hair. You don’t mind it as much as earlier. You even enjoy certain parts. Like how when you move your tongue as you suck, he’ll praise you, or how when you tighten your lips around him, he groans. With each sound that leaves him your panties become more and more wet.

When he’s close to cumming he pushes you off him, telling you to take your clothes off and lay back down on the desk. You do exactly as he says and before long, he’s back between your thighs, leaving wet kisses all over your body. You can’t handle how much you need him. The heart beat between your legs is all you can think of, and when he brushes his tip between your soaked folds you almost moan.

You grip his shoulders, your eyes locked on his. “Alex just fuck me already.”

“Someone’s needy,” he mumbled, his tone sending tingles throughout your body. He positions his tip at your entrance and leans down to connect your lips. “But your wish is my command.”

With that, he begins to fuck you. Your eyes roll to the back of your head, your nails digging into his shoulders. He thrusts at a pace that makes your toes curl. It’s so hard, so deep, so perfect. The desk rocks so hard you think the legs might break. You don’t even care. All you care about is that Alex doesn’t stop, not for anything.

He does though, but for a good reason. He pulls out of you and before you can even question it, he grabs you, flips you, and bends you over the edge of the desk. He resumes his thrusts, and you can’t help but moan loud enough that anyone in the store would be able to hear. You almost scream when he grabs your hips and pulls you back, his dick hitting right on your cervix over and over again. It’s almost too much for you to take.

He leans down after a few minutes and whispers in your ear, “You feel so fucking good y/n, it’s so hard not to cum.”

“Alex,” you moan.

“Are you close baby?” He breathes.

“Yes, please keep going,” you answer.

In minutes you cum so hard you swear you see stars. You moan Alex’s name so loud you’re sure everyone in the building next door can hear you. It’s the best feeling of your life. Your legs give out, Alex has to hold you up. Your nails dig into the desk, your whole face turns red, and you feel those orgasmic pulses throughout your entire body. He cums soon after you, pulling out and spilling his seed onto your back. You’re grateful, you forgot to tell him you weren’t on the pill.

“Well,” he says as you’re both still trying to catch your breath. “That was definitely better than unpacking those boxes.”

[curiositysavesthecat]

*This poll was submitted to us and we simply posted it so people could vote and discuss their opinions on the matter. If you’d like for us to ask the internet a question for you, feel free to drop the poll of your choice in our inbox and we’ll post them anonymously (for more info, please check our pinned post).

[apostrophe-9]

[crimsonglow-art]

I think the fox face is right without it looking like a wolf. I've already asked my Discord what would match. I'm curious what you guys think she would look like.

I honestly didn't think there was this many fur colors.

[animentality]

[asyastudieskorean]

08.09.2024 — 공부할때 나는 차를 마시고 있어요. 🍵🕯️

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.