Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

[Old Pio]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I'm thinking you could invest in an Acme Giant Wooden Mallet.

 

[legal_hit]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I have enough issues delegating at work, but when I delegate something (that I thought was very simple) because I'm too busy to deal with it, it does not mean ask me 17 questions about it every 2 minutes, expect me to hold your hand through the whole thing, and then do it so poorly and incorrectly that I end up doing it myself anyway. Argh.

Wait, you work at the same place I do?

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

There's a fellow student in my medical terminology class who grinds my gears. From the moment class starts til it ends, he's constantly whining about how difficult this class is, complaining about the spelling, the definitions, how the professor grades tests, etc, and I've had enough.

No offense, but medical terminology isn't that hard. You do, you know, need to do the reading and assignments, but the material itself, expecially if it's being taught using the root/suffix/prefix system should be fairly easy. If he thinks this is hard, I dread to see him in real classes in any sort of science program.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I have enough issues delegating at work, but when I delegate something (that I thought was very simple) because I'm too busy to deal with it, it does not mean ask me 17 questions about it every 2 minutes, expect me to hold your hand through the whole thing, and then do it so poorly and incorrectly that I end up doing it myself anyway. Argh.

I just started at a new job and I'm taking over as project manager for a bunch of the projects from someone else. It can be extremely intimidating to do things for the first time. I know I'm asking a crap ton of questions and probably not doing a great job either. It takes time to learn new stuff. (Although, I obviously can't tell how difficult the task is from the post.)

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

Tell him "welcome to college", and also tell him not to worry. If he can't cut it, there's always someone else next semester that will happily step in and take his place. The college world is littered with the wreckage of guys like him.

No offense, but medical terminology isn't that hard. You do, you know, need to do the reading and assignments, but the material itself, expecially if it's being taught using the root/suffix/prefix system should be fairly easy. If he thinks this is hard, I dread to see him in real classes in any sort of science program.

I know. I bombed the first test, but once I studied, learned the terms, and stopped panicking, I moved my grade from an F to a C. Looking to do even better on the next exam.

 

[jen]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I just started at a new job and I'm taking over as project manager for a bunch of the projects from someone else. It can be extremely intimidating to do things for the first time. I know I'm asking a crap ton of questions and probably not doing a great job either. It takes time to learn new stuff. (Although, I obviously can't tell how difficult the task is from the post.)

I wouldn't have bagged on her if she was new - everyone has been new at some point. She actually started at the company before I did (although she left and came back twice, so I have more time in). It should've taken her 1 hour, max. It took her 3, and even then, she couldn't get it to work, and I had to do it. It took me 15 minutes (15 minutes I didn't have when I asked her).

 

[dubbie31]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

It grinds my gears when I set up appointments and meetings with people at work and they no call-no show!

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I wouldn't have bagged on her if she was new - everyone has been new at some point. She actually started at the company before I did (although she left and came back twice, so I have more time in). It should've taken her 1 hour, max. It took her 3, and even then, she couldn't get it to work, and I had to do it. It took me 15 minutes (15 minutes I didn't have when I asked her).

gross... Sorry

 

[zamboni crash-test dummy]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

With the end of the 2010 fall softball season I would like the following people to know that they suck:

• Guys who cheat by altering high performance composite bats (aka 'shaving'). It's slowpitch softball. Why would you cheat at slowpitch softball?
• Umpires who don't know the rules and/or lose track of outs and runs scored. Get a **** clicker.
• When your team is up by 22 runs... don't take a freakin walk. Swing the bat (unless it's shaved).

 

[LynahFan]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

With the end of the 2010 fall softball season I would like the following people to know that they suck:

• Guys who cheat by altering high performance composite bats (aka 'shaving'). It's slowpitch softball. Why would you cheat at slowpitch softball?
• Umpires who don't know the rules and/or lose track of outs and runs scored. Get a **** clicker.
• When your team is up by 22 runs... don't take a freakin walk. Swing the bat (unless it's shaved).

Reminds me of a former co-worker (guy from Chicago who was a dead ringer for Mike Ditka). A guy at the batting cages told him to fill his aluminum bat with ping pong balls to increase the power and he said the effect was incredible. Later that season, he subbed in on a softball team that he didn't even know, the end flew off his bat, and the team had to forfeit the game. They were hopping mad, but it sure was funny to listen to Ditka tell the story...

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

Sitting, waiting for class to begin, and this girl walks through and hits me in the back of the head with her backpack without saying "sorry" or "excuse me."

 

[Bob Gray]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

If not a text message, then something else: hair, jewelry, whatever is forbidden. Maybe the kid will learn a lesson, probably not, since there's a pretty good chance the parents who bought him that device (and pay the bills) will be supportive, of HIM.

There was a time that if a kid had problems with a teacher, his difficulties were only beginning, once his parents found out. I've posted before that when I was in grade school my mother used to invite my homeroom teacher for lunch once a year. Imagine how I looked forward to sitting at a table, eating chicken noodle soup, with both of them. But mother was sending a clear message of solidarity: "we're the adults, and we're in this together, so don't even go there." It worked.

Yah, when I was a kid, I just assumed my parents were on the same page as my teacher, as the few times anything at all came up, it was shown to be true. That is a massive shift that students very often now split the teacher and parents, pitting one against the other. Of course if the teacher does something really awful, then you don't want to parents to side with them, but that's the exception, not the rule.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I know this will confirm the judgement of some that I'm an unreconstructed Luddite, but that's the price I'm willing to pay. I'm really tired of people (especially in a business situation, waitstaff, clerks, etc) who presume familiarity with me by using my first name on first reference, without my permission. They have a credit/debit card receipt in their grubby little hand and that's the basis for this show of disrespect. Generally they get it wrong anyway, calling me "Olde" instead of the less formal "Old" which is what everyone who actually knows me uses. On first reference to me, I'd prefer Mr. Pio, after which I will inevitably reply "call me Old." But isn't that MY decision to make?

And I understand most (all?) of these folks are "just following orders" from management. Management that wants to create a false sense of friendship. Many hospital staff use this faux familiarity, IMHO, to infantalize patients (which will be the subject of a future drooling rant).

So for now kiddies, please call me Mr. Pio until I tell you to stop, which will almost certainly be immediately. Show me some respect. Like the judge said to Jack Nicholson: "I believe I've earned it."

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

With the end of the 2010 fall softball season I would like the following people to know that they suck:

• Guys who cheat by altering high performance composite bats (aka 'shaving'). It's slowpitch softball. Why would you cheat at slowpitch softball?
• Umpires who don't know the rules and/or lose track of outs and runs scored. Get a **** clicker.
• When your team is up by 22 runs... don't take a freakin walk. Swing the bat (unless it's shaved).

After basic, I augmented my pay by umpiring slow pitch games at Lackland AFB. And I had one of those situations where the A's were beating the B's handily and yet some joker for the A's was doing his best Pete Rose imitation to draw walks. I finally told him either swing away or I'm calling you out. He started swinging.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I know this will confirm the judgement of some that I'm an unreconstructed Luddite, but that's the price I'm willing to pay. I'm really tired of people (especially in a business situation, waitstaff, clerks, etc) who presume familiarity with me by using my first name on first reference, without my permission. They have a credit/debit card receipt in their grubby little hand and that's the basis for this show of disrespect. Generally they get it wrong anyway, calling me "Olde" instead of the less formal "Old" which is what everyone who actually knows me uses. On first reference to me, I'd prefer Mr. Pio, after which I will inevitably reply "call me Old." But isn't that MY decision to make?

And I understand most (all?) of these folks are "just following orders" from management. Management that wants to create a false sense of friendship. Many hospital staff use this faux familiarity, IMHO, to infantalize patients (which will be the subject of a future drooling rant).

So for now kiddies, please call me Mr. Pio until I tell you to stop, which will almost certainly be immediately. Show me some respect. Like the judge said to Jack Nicholson: "I believe I've earned it."

I get that. funny thing is, nearly ALL of my friends refer to me as my last name (or some reasonable facsimile, which is fine considering the clusterf*k that is my last name - four consonants that have no business being next to each other, all in a row). Even most of my teachers from about 4th or 5th grade all the way through high school did it as well. So honestly, when people refer to me by my first name it can throw me off for that split second.

 

[hockeybando]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I know this will confirm the judgement of some that I'm an unreconstructed Luddite, but that's the price I'm willing to pay. I'm really tired of people (especially in a business situation, waitstaff, clerks, etc) who presume familiarity with me by using my first name on first reference, without my permission. They have a credit/debit card receipt in their grubby little hand and that's the basis for this show of disrespect. Generally they get it wrong anyway, calling me "Olde" instead of the less formal "Old" which is what everyone who actually knows me uses. On first reference to me, I'd prefer Mr. Pio, after which I will inevitably reply "call me Old." But isn't that MY decision to make?

And I understand most (all?) of these folks are "just following orders" from management. Management that wants to create a false sense of friendship. Many hospital staff use this faux familiarity, IMHO, to infantalize patients (which will be the subject of a future drooling rant).

So for now kiddies, please call me Mr. Pio until I tell you to stop, which will almost certainly be immediately. Show me some respect. Like the judge said to Jack Nicholson: "I believe I've earned it."

As someone who works in customer service and has to wear a nametag, I never do this to people I don't know and it makes me feel uncomfortable when people use my first name when I don't know them. To me it seems very demeaning (mostly because of how most customers will address we lowly retail slaves). My name is a term of familiarity. If you don't know me don't use it.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

As someone who works in customer service and has to wear a nametag, I never do this to people I don't know and it makes me feel uncomfortable when people use my first name when I don't know them. To me it seems very demeaning (mostly because of how most customers will address we lowly retail slaves). My name is a term of familiarity. If you don't know me don't use it.

Then when you wait on me I'll use the formal term "Miss Hottie" OK?

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

I know this will confirm the judgement of some that I'm an unreconstructed Luddite, but that's the price I'm willing to pay. I'm really tired of people (especially in a business situation, waitstaff, clerks, etc) who presume familiarity with me by using my first name on first reference, without my permission. They have a credit/debit card receipt in their grubby little hand and that's the basis for this show of disrespect. Generally they get it wrong anyway, calling me "Olde" instead of the less formal "Old" which is what everyone who actually knows me uses. On first reference to me, I'd prefer Mr. Pio, after which I will inevitably reply "call me Old." But isn't that MY decision to make?

And I understand most (all?) of these folks are "just following orders" from management. Management that wants to create a false sense of friendship. Many hospital staff use this faux familiarity, IMHO, to infantalize patients (which will be the subject of a future drooling rant).

So for now kiddies, please call me Mr. Pio until I tell you to stop, which will almost certainly be immediately. Show me some respect. Like the judge said to Jack Nicholson: "I believe I've earned it."

This is interesting... As a whole, Dick's Sporting Goods is pushing those of us on the sales floor to interact more with our customers... This starts out with and introduction of ourselves and using our customer's names... The idea is that they want us to come off as experts/enthusiasts in the areas that we sell while connecting to the customer...

So far, it's been mixed results for me... When I am selling skis/snowboards, people seem very open to interaction and just shooting the sh*t with me... It's very easy for me to talk with a customer for 20-30 minutes here if I'm not busy... Now this is mostly younger ( < 30 year olds) or families with kids/grand kids... The only people that really give me the cold shoulder are the Eastern European people that shop at our store... But they will come and get you anyways when they want to negotiate on the non-negotiable price

Now in our hunting/fishing department, it's a whole different story... Over there, it's a bunch of grumpy old men that tell you that they don't want any help and want nothing to do with you... Even when I can make a good first impression and show that I am a fisherman myself and that I know the product, I tend to get brushed off very quickly...

It's been quite interesting comparing the results since we got this training and I have tried it on the floor...

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

This is interesting... As a whole, Dick's Sporting Goods is pushing those of us on the sales floor to interact more with our customers... This starts out with and introduction of ourselves and using our customer's names... The idea is that they want us to come off as experts/enthusiasts in the areas that we sell while connecting to the customer...

So far, it's been mixed results for me... When I am selling skis/snowboards, people seem very open to interaction and just shooting the sh*t with me... It's very easy for me to talk with a customer for 20-30 minutes here if I'm not busy... Now this is mostly younger ( < 30 year olds) or families with kids/grand kids... The only people that really give me the cold shoulder are the Eastern European people that shop at our store... But they will come and get you anyways when they want to negotiate on the non-negotiable price

Now in our hunting/fishing department, it's a whole different story... Over there, it's a bunch of grumpy old men that tell you that they don't want any help and want nothing to do with you... Even when I can make a good first impression and show that I am a fisherman myself and that I know the product, I tend to get brushed off very quickly...

It's been quite interesting comparing the results since we got this training and I have tried it on the floor...

Believe me, I understand lots of folks are just doing what they've been trained to do--that doesn't make it one iota less annoying. When it happens, I find myself thinking "when, exactly, did we become friends?" And in my case, as I've indicated, they invariably use a form of my name which I never use and have never really liked, so the effort at "being my buddy" is doomed, regardless of how I feel about a 15 year old wanting to be my pal. Truthfully, I'd resent it even if they called me "Old." As I say, I'm pretty much a Chatty Cathy (not wanting to be one of those "grumpy old men") I'll talk your arm off, given half a chance.

I had an old man who made certain I understood about tips and commission and how to treat people in retail. And I'm quite convinced my feelings here are significantly generational. That being the case, maybe the geniuses who devise these training programs could tell trainees to factor that into the equation--that old f*a*r*t*s need to be handled a bit differently. And before you invite them to the malt shop, try calling 'em Mr. or Sir or something, first. They'll be eating out of your hand.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Grinding Away..Things that grind your gears, part three

Believe me, I understand lots of folks are just doing what they've been trained to do--that doesn't make it one iota less annoying. When it happens, I find myself thinking "when, exactly, did we become friends?" And in my case, as I've indicated, they invariably use a form of my name which I never use and have never really liked, so the effort at "being my buddy" is doomed, regardless of how I feel about a 15 year old wanting to be my pal. Truthfully, I'd resent it even if they called me "Old." As I say, I'm pretty much a Chatty Cathy (not wanting to be one of those "grumpy old men") I'll talk your arm off, given half a chance.

I had an old man who made certain I understood about tips and commission and how to treat people in retail. And I'm quite convinced my feelings here are significantly generational. That being the case, maybe the geniuses who devise these training programs could tell trainees to factor that into the equation--that old f*a*r*t*s need to be handled a bit differently. And before you invite them to the malt shop, try calling 'em Mr. or Sir or something, first. They'll be eating out of your hand.

Count me in with the old f*a*r*t*s who find this annoying. I first noticed it at Sam's Club some years ago. They see both my first and last name on my membership card and address me as goldy instead of Mr. _331. They've never seen me before, when did they become my buddy?