Mmmmm... A Laser.

I work in an office that is mostly women. It's not a cubefarm, we have genuine close-the-door type offices. Except a) nobody shuts their doors and b) there are glass louvers above the doors that are fixed open anyway. So, acoustically not secure.

Oh, and I know this is a dreadful over simplification and use of stereotypes, but most of the women I work with come from ethnic backgrounds where loud, heated conversations are more the norm than the exception. Italian. Lebanese.

So, scene set?

This afternoon (while struggling to complete the last bits of financial month-end) I have been an unwilling listener to the following topics of conversation:

• Periods. Bad ones. Very, very bad ones.
  
• Laser treatment for unsightly chin and underarm hair.
  
• Boob exercises. (wtf?)
  
• Recipes for Tiramisu. Specifically, an argument about why one woman won't share her 'secret recipe' for the perfect Tiramisu.

It has been a very long day. I need your pity.