Bitching about Office Politics / Professional Suicide

I have been in Ottawa just over 5 years and I have found that there is as much politics away from the hill as there is on the hill. That shouldn't be surprising, really however considering how small the professional community I work in is, it can also be a very dangerous game to play.

It is something I work hard to stay out of, (I will leave that to someone who is good at it). The politics are usually covert statements, more whispers or hints, of allegations of some misconduct, (hint hint nudge nudge wink wink) and so one can usually keep out of the stories and games relatively easily - but these games can still catch you from behind, and sometimes, dangerously so.

On a evening out with a couple of colleagues/friends, a third came along and was introduced to me. Nice enough girl who "just happens" to be involved in the same work arena as myself and the others, (wink wink). We met again several days later in a honestly professional capacity and she is now a client for my employer, and I am out of the game again - a little innocent politicking and business moves on.

I recently met up with "her" in the office and was hit with a nasty request...

"Can I ask you a question - and keeping in mind as I ask that I am asking not as one professional to another, but as a girl with whom you've shared some drinks with ... I've heard that you are working with *insert name here* lately; did you know that he did the original set up at our office? Tell me, what is your opinion of *insert name here* work? Is he ..."

WTF!?

You don't have to be very "SMRT", (intentionally spelled SMRT) to see where she was going with this; I consider myself to be at least as SMRT as the average bear!

That was taking the office politics game to professional suicide! Therein lies my bitch - did she really think I would shred another colleague on her behave? Did she really think that little of my own professionalism, does she value her own that little?

The muse? This game is all around, all the time...and to be honest, one I am tiring of. It wears on the soul...having to watch what you say to whom, questioning what one says to you, this game of watching your back, and your front all the time...

Grr!