Dealing with post-apocalyptic people you don't like

There are always going to be people you don’t like. Sometimes it’s that annoying dude at work who always sucks up to the boss; sometimes it’s your annoying Great-aunt Edna. Sometimes it’s both. Regardless, they’re people who annoy you. Now, in the pre-apocalypse, it doesn’t matter; not in the grand scheme of things.

Oh sure, that suck-up is irritating and will probably get that promotion you’ve been aiming for, and sure Great-aunt Edna always gives you that annoying and embarrassing kiss that leaves the lipstick stain on your cheek. But ultimately, you don’t have to rely on either of them to survive.

Unfortunately, in the post-apocalypse, you will. You’re going to have to work with people who annoy you then just as you do now–only “work” will have a different connotation.

Then, “work” will be defending your survivor camp–and each other–to make sure everyone stays alive. It will mean going on raiding parties together, where you will have to watch each other’s backs–and make sure you both make it back alive.

See the pattern?

It’s going to be a little harder to ignore the people who drive you nuts. You’re going to have to deal with them. You don’t have to like them, but you have to make sure they won’t toss you to the rabid dogs first chance they get. (Even if you feel like doing the same thing.) There’s safety in numbers, yes, but that safety will disappear if the individuals in a group are fighting amongst each other.

So, unfortunately, this probably means you’re going to have to at least pretend you like them. Or, at least, pretend that you can stand them enough to want sit next to them at the campfire. You’ll have to suck it up, smile through gritted teeth, and endure their presence, especially if there’s no one else to sit next to or work with.

And no, they can’t “accidentally” fall off the encampment wall. And they probably shouldn’t “trip” into the path of those zombies. I’m just saying.

Of course, if the annoying person (or people) are incompetent twits who can’t do anything properly or lazy asshats who don’t contribute, then you’ve got a strong argument for tossing them out on their ears (or other body parts). But if they’re contributing and are pretty good at what they do, then you’ll probably just have to endure their grating personalities.

Hopefully you can get assigned to raiding parties and duty rotations on opposite shifts. That way, you probably won’t ever see them.

Which will be a good thing, because it will lower the likelihood of that annoying person being so clumsy they trip over their feet and land in front of that zombie that’s fifty feet away.

 

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