Do We Ever REALLY Leave High School???

I used to think high school ended as soon a I had received my diploma. But now I'm wondering if I ever REALLY left. And I'm not talking about those nightmares where you're still in high school and have 2 more years to go because some evil force screwed with your record and now you'll never graduate.

There are so many things that suck about high school which I find myself repeatedly surrounded by:
1- Cliques....I mean really....We're in our thirties! Should there still be a "cool crowd" at a grown-up work place?
2- Gossip...Making others look bad to elevate one's own status thrives now more than ever!
3- Alpha Dog...There's still the one Alpha Dog in the group who tends to dominate decisions and set the tone while the Beta Dogs happily follow her lead. If she's a snotty, uptight bitch, her subjects are sure to be as well.

What's even more interesting is to discover that I, though ashamed I am to admit, am not above high schoolish behavior when put in the right (or wrong) setting!

For example, I've actually found myself being embarrassed to be seen talking to a gal that I know everyone else can't stand (aka...the outcast). Thankfully I haven't let that keep me from befriending her, but what bothers me most is that my first instinct is not to be gracious and accepting but, rather, to conform so that I don't then get kicked out of the Cool Club too.

Crazy, right? YES...I AM in my mid-thirties!

And I know I'm not alone because I'm surrounded by this behavior at work, in the music world and in many other settings. What I'm hoping, however, is that the more I tell the narcissistic voice in my head to Shut-the-hell-up when it comes to dealing with acquaintances at work, the quieter it will become and that, soon, I will be the person I wish I was now....A REAL High School GRADUATE!