The Problem with the Big Present in the Bathroom
It turns out that, based on open rates, “The Big Present in the Bathroom” is a pretty compelling subject line, though Brian emailed me to point out to me that instead of number one, “The Big Present in the Bathroom” really should have been Unqualified Opinion number two this season. I missed an opportunity there.
I also heard that the story went viral in several of Holly’s social circles (shoutout Grajera clan), prompting her to text me that February 18, 2025, was in the running for worst day of her life – though I would point out that she texted me that while drinking a margarita at a work dinner on the beach in Miami while I was shoveling out my driveway in subzero temperatures in mid-Missouri (having earlier had my flight canceled that would have put me on that same Miami beach). Remember that no matter how bad you have it, somebody else probably has it worse.
But most importantly, I discovered by telling everyone about the big present Holly left in the bathroom is that our CEO Brent was not the only person who thought that small, crappy trash can was a blight on our otherwise upscale office. That’s because my son who I guess also happens to subscribe to this whatever-it-is (shoutout B) looked up from his phone that evening and said, “Holly was the one who got you guys a better trash can? Good for her. The other one really was small and crappy.”
So I texted Holly back to tell her that while a lot of people were giving her a hard time about leaving Brent a big present in the bathroom, others thought she had risen to the occasion and done what needed to be done (not all heroes wear capes, you know).
I’m telling you this not just because I wanted to work Brian’s delightful number two joke into the season somehow (though that was the impetus), but because this is a good example of the fact that if you have a problem that you’re ignoring because you don’t think others see it, know that they more likely do and that you should therefore try to fix it or at least open up about it. As for why they’re not telling you they see it, well, that’s a problem too.
– Tim
