What I have learned....
1. No one reads anything but "important" documents on the metro. This include newspapers, books and work related documents. Magazines (my reading material of choice) is highly faux pas.
2. There are 10,000 people working on the Hill. We are a small microcosm, and only those there know what it's like to be there.
3. It is always referred to as "the Hill"
4. And my committee is always referred to as "House Ag" or "Ag Committee"
5. Everyone on the Hill is beautiful, and if they aren't so fortunate, they can mask it with nice clothes.
6. Wear comfortable shoes.
7. There is a lot of sexual tension.
8. At every social event, always stay close to those in your committee. Usually, they are the only ones you know...that is, unless you have been there for quite some time (10 years or more).
9. Business professional is only really so in name. Times have changed.
10. Everyone thinks they are the most important person in the room.
11. Food is a great way to make a 9 hour day go faster.
12. You can never take your job too seriously - people might get annoyed.
13. Everyone there is very smart.
14. You must use your metro card to enter AND EXIT the metro station. Keep it handy.
15. Don't jaywalk in front of a policeman. That's a HUGE no-no. They might even release the dogs on you.
16. Terrorism is (unfortunately) a subject to joke about.
17. The Hill is a learn-as-you-go bureacracy, and every office is different and reflects its Senator or Representative's personality and home state.
18. Make as many reasons as possible to get up and go somewhere.
19. Coffee is good.
20. It's not so bad after all. You get used to it.
2. There are 10,000 people working on the Hill. We are a small microcosm, and only those there know what it's like to be there.
3. It is always referred to as "the Hill"
4. And my committee is always referred to as "House Ag" or "Ag Committee"
5. Everyone on the Hill is beautiful, and if they aren't so fortunate, they can mask it with nice clothes.
6. Wear comfortable shoes.
7. There is a lot of sexual tension.
8. At every social event, always stay close to those in your committee. Usually, they are the only ones you know...that is, unless you have been there for quite some time (10 years or more).
9. Business professional is only really so in name. Times have changed.
10. Everyone thinks they are the most important person in the room.
11. Food is a great way to make a 9 hour day go faster.
12. You can never take your job too seriously - people might get annoyed.
13. Everyone there is very smart.
14. You must use your metro card to enter AND EXIT the metro station. Keep it handy.
15. Don't jaywalk in front of a policeman. That's a HUGE no-no. They might even release the dogs on you.
16. Terrorism is (unfortunately) a subject to joke about.
17. The Hill is a learn-as-you-go bureacracy, and every office is different and reflects its Senator or Representative's personality and home state.
18. Make as many reasons as possible to get up and go somewhere.
19. Coffee is good.
20. It's not so bad after all. You get used to it.