See through me

I do not fit in, in the business world.  I am easy to identify.  I'm the one who answers the question you asked instead of whatever other unspoken question it was situationally appropriate to give the answer to.  It's sort of like a dance; going to a dance without knowing the steps would be more than overconfident.  It would be foolish.  Likewise, I am attempting to engage in a patterned social dynamic where there are expectations of behavior which it is difficult for me not to dismiss as dishonest.  Trite I can handle, and showing someone your best side is completely acceptable.  When I am asked about myself, though, the truthteller in me will always want to respond to that question.  It's really almost a test.  If you answer like an ordinary person having a genuine and meaningful conversation, you fail.  You must answer like a Businessperson.  "They are only interested," Su counseled me, "in the business part of you."  Ah yes.  Now I remember why this sort of thing always makes me feel oily.
There's nothing wrong with business.  There's nothing wrong with working in business.  And there is nothing wrong with the interview process as it now has evolved to.  I completely understand the need to formalize the motions of a pageant repeated so endlessly.  This sort of distillation just throws reality into cold relief.  I am very fortunate to have someone offer to teach me the steps to the dance, and for free no less.  I take solace in my hope of the world to come.  I think it will be a very marvelous thing when we are finally free to dance the way we were intended to. 

- J