The Office in Scranton

Most of you have laughed over the television show, The Office, set in the Pennsylvania town of Scranton. Today, while in Scranton, I hunted for memorabilia from that sitcom.

In May 2013, cast members Jim, Pam, Dwight, Michael, and all the other crazy characters celebrated the last episode of the daily activities of Dundler Mifflin, and I wanted to buy a t-shirt to prove that I’d been to the home of the fictitious paper company.

So, we headed for Scranton’s main shopping area. Although its name comes from decades of steam engines crisscrossing the valley for the former Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad, Steamtown Mall housed all of today’s typical shops.  However, not one of them carried reminders of the famous television show.

The best we could find were postcards and a walking tour map of the area…oh, and a cheesy photograph in front of the sign that reads,  “Scranton Welcomes You—Embracing Our People, Our Traditions & Our Future.”

Just as The Office became so popular, in part, because its employees were able to persevere an abusive and egotistical boss by supporting each other and appreciating each one’s unique qualities, my gift today was to write a recommendation on Linkedin for a man whose work I have admired for years. Many of you may frequently click the “Like” button to show appreciation, but I would like to challenge you to think deeply about another’s contributions and to express your admiration in writing.

The Office modeled some good and bad behaviors, let’s focus on the good everyday.

In Giving,

Robin