Phil: My writing other half started a new job this week. We met up in her last week of “freedom” and among other things chatted about the joys of being new at work.
This gave me an idea. Not one I can use at present, so I chuck it out there.
Writing from the point of view of the new person anywhere would provide an excellent vehicle for explaining a location to a reader.
Think about it – the reader is also new to the job/location, so everything going through the newbie’s head is the same as that in the reader’s mind.
OK, perhaps they don’t have the same “Where’re the toilets?” anxiety, but new people, a strange office to navigate around, unusual rituals at break times (does everyone go to lunch together?) and a thousand other questions need answers. There’s also the whole cliquiness of workmates to consider – who gets on with who?
The more I think about this, the more I remember why I hate changing jobs!