It always comes as a surprise and a shock to me when I hear someone my age being talked about behind his or her back.

That’s one of the reasons why I wouldn’t want to teach middle or high school. I admire those who do because I know the kind of stuff they have to put up with: the kids treat each other like crap. Having lived through the same crap, I would hate to see it re-enacted for others. I just wouldn’t have the patience for it.

I say this because I have recently become the target of rumors at my retail job, and think it’s because I have taken another job. I will be leaving the store in less than a week, and someone came to me the other day and said there were rumors that I recently made out with my boyfriend at the registers.

One, it had been at least three weeks since my boyfriend came to visit me at work, and two, we were simply holding hands. He may have kissed me on the forehead before he left, but it wasn’t inappropriate in any way.

Apparently, someone thought differently.

I think some people are just prone to gossiping. Whether they’ve just run out of ammo or see me as an easy target (boy, does that bring back memories) – I don’t know – I think it’s completely unnecessary. I hate to be walking on eggshells every time I come to work.

One of my co-workers approached me the day after I put in my two weeks’ notice (how it spread so quickly, I have no idea, considering I talked to management in private) and said she heard I had quit for two reasons: I had gotten a new job, and I didn’t think I was going to get along with someone in the department for which I had originally been hired to work.

I told her upfront I had never or would never say such a thing.

I’ve been told I shouldn’t care what others think about me, but when it comes out of nowhere for no reason, I think I have a right to be concerned and say something. I’ve done nothing deserving of a bad reputation, but it seems I’m getting one anyway.

I guess it doesn’t matter much in this instance since I’m not going to be there for much longer, but it makes me wonder what goes on at other establishments. I’ll be moving into a much different atmosphere when I start my new job, and I’d hate to see such things going on there. It’s just plain unprofessional.

We may all be adults here, but age has nothing to do with it. You’re not going to be seen as much of an adult if you don’t act like one. I hope college (and life) has taught us something at this point. If not, it’s time we learned. We’re not in high school anymore, people. Life certainly does have its disappointments, but not everyone is out to hurt us. I think that’s what we end up thinking, and in our attempts to avoid being hurt, we’re the ones who end up doing the hurting.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.