"It wasn't unusual for strangers to be assigned to share double beds" - Does Google know how to throw a party, or what?

The quote above comes from Ariana Eunjung Cha's fascinating front-page story in this past Tuesday's Washington Post.

She wrote about Google's employee get-together at Squaw Valley, California last week.

From the story:

"Google employees, all of whom said they are prohibited from speaking with the media without prior approval, jokingly grumbled that the mandatory event was somewhat like camping."

Jeez, I don't know about you but when I used to go camping, at least I got my own sleeping bag. But I digress.

I mean, having to share a bed with a stranger would not guarantee a good night's sleep for moi, I'll tell you that.

It sounds like something Megan Smith, once of PlanetOut Inc., might have dreamed up.

Wait a minute - it says in the very same Post story that Megan Smith now works in business development for Google.

Huh - well, that explains it.

The more I read about all the "free" Google amenities provided at their headquarters - lunch and dinner prepared by world-class chefs, on-site doctors and massage therapists, snack rooms stocked with "... healthy treats such as yogurt, nuts and string cheese; there are some sweets, but employees have to hunt for these as they are often placed in more remote locations." - the more I get the sense that the company is quietly hugging its employees to death.

Basically, it becomes easy to work an 80 or 100-hour week if you don't watch yourself: there are on-site sleep rooms as well.

More from the article: "The company also encourages bonding by requiring that workers – even managers – share hotel rooms when they travel."

I don't know about you, but when I travel and have to stay in a hotel, one of the few pleasurable parts of the experience is being able to cut a fart without anyone noticing.

Sometimes I even laugh.

Guess that wouldn't go over very well at Google.

Let me tell you a story - you like a story now and then, don't you?

I thought so.

Once upon a time, in a medical center not all that far away - in fact, four miles from where I sit this very moment - I worked in a very high-powered academic anesthesiology department.

Article Author: bookofjoe

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