NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I am here working in one of the computer labs on campus, and part of my job is to patrol and make sure that the patrons are not having food nor drinks near the computers. Its a very reasonable thing, and there are signs posted EVERYWHERE. Yet, when I say in a polite voice " Sir/Ma'am, can you please put your drink/food away, its lab policy", they seem to get irritated and angry with me. Its not like I am being a nazi here. I technically can kick them out, if I deem it necessary, but I am being nice, and just asking them to put it away. So, in your line of work, or just general interaction with people from day to day, do you notice people becoming hostile over small things? Why do you think this is so?

because they know they are wrong and hate to get caught at it.

because they know they are wrong and hate to get caught at it.

So, its pride?

Why do you think this is so?
The people who I would interact with who kick up a fuss do so because they want to intimidate me into letting them do what they want. This is pretty typical of people who are used to getting what they want, so I tend to blame poor disciplining.

I could also be a reaction to embarassment. People feel embarassed when caught doing something wrong. Is that the same as pride?

So, I am here working in one of the computer labs on campus, and part of my job is to patrol and make sure that the patrons are not having food nor drinks near the computers. Its a very reasonable thing, and there are signs posted EVERYWHERE. Yet, when I say in a polite voice " Sir/Ma'am, can you please put your drink/food away, its lab policy", they seem to get irritated and angry with me. Its not like I am being a nazi here. I technically can kick them out, if I deem it necessary, but I am being nice, and just asking them to put it away. So, in your line of work, or just general interaction with people from day to day, do you notice people becoming hostile over small things? Why do you think this is so?
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GET A BLOG, FFS ZILAM! Nah, yer OK really

And aye, if they've had a bit of a poor day, people can get awfully hostile over almost anything. Such is THE POWER OF HORMONES!

I do tech support. 'Nuff said.

Not everybody can be as cheerful and understanding as I am. That's why I kick people like that in the groin. :)

Such is THE POWER OF HORMONES!

I'm not hormonal, how dare you suggest that! If you weren't behind this computer screen, I'd mildly consider the possibility of initiating physical violence! Northerner.

Not everybody can be as cheerful and understanding as I am. That's why I kick people like that in the groin. :)

People should be forced to be cheerful. Compulsory pie attacks and public tickling, I think.

People should be forced to be cheerful. Compulsory pie attacks and public tickling, I think.

I forwarded this idea to Congress years ago, but it's stalled in committee. The bastards. :mad:

Oh, come on Mr. OP. Rules are for the people who don't know how to do it right.

SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GET A BLOG, FFS ZILAM! Nah, yer OK really

And aye, if they've had a bit of a poor day, people can get awfully hostile over almost anything. Such is THE POWER OF HORMONES!

You shut the fuck up, he's in the right.

-Snip-


People should be forced to be cheerful. Compulsory pie attacks and public tickling, I think.

I'm always cheerful, even when pissed off. I'm the most cheerfully pissed off person you'll ever know. *grins manically*

I do tech support. 'Nuff said.

I have to do that the other half of the time that I am not babysitting the patrons.

"How do you print this off?" ctrl+p or file print


"My computer is broke" Turn on the computer/ monitor

"How do I use MS Word?" - Not even lying. I get asked this all the time.. And here I am thinking that people in the 21st century are supposed to have some sort of tech. experience, at least with MFing MS Word.

I have to do that the other half of the time that I am not babysitting the patrons...
See, I was with you on the "Why are people jerks" side. But Computers are freakin' stupid (and that coming from a Software Engineer). The only reason that much of software interfacing is the way it is is because people who knew how previous versions worked don't want to have to learn a new system. Intuitional design from the perspective of a computer user is not intuitional to someone who's technically illiterate. It's not as easy to pick up how to navigate a Windows (or even a Mac or Gnome) interface and related software as we tend to think; you need to get used to conventions and standards that developed out of hacky practices. For instance, would you really think "Hey, paste, Control-V, obviously"?

So, yeah. It's not a point against someone that they can't use Word. Unless I can laugh at other guys for not knowing how to use Emacs, I suppose.

I have to do that the other half of the time that I am not babysitting the patrons.

"How do you print this off?" ctrl+p or file print


"My computer is broke" Turn on the computer/ monitor

"How do I use MS Word?" - Not even lying. I get asked this all the time.. And here I am thinking that people in the 21st century are supposed to have some sort of tech. experience, at least with MFing MS Word.

If you work in a lab, do you at least have Deep Freeze or some such thing? I have to support university employees, so it's a bit less practical to do that, and they all have different software depending on department. So it's not just "how do I do X," but also "I pushed a bunch of random buttons and now my computer doesn't work!!!"

So, its pride?
yes

plus they hate the policy but you are the only one they can be mad at.

I'm just generally annoyed by people, except for family and close friends. Even they annoy me sometimes.

Maybe it's because you accused them of being slobs who will spill things on the computer! :O
No, there isn't any reason to be hostile if ypou are asking politely.

Heh. This reminds me of when I was employed for a Tech Support job.

It was six month contract, and I went in with the understanding that it WOULD NOT be renewed under any circumstances. I was cool with that; the pay was good, and I knew the area well.

End result, I got all the cases where the problem was "in front of the keyboard". I could be as rude or as understanding as necessary for the case; what were they going to do? Demand I resign? One exec actually did - I told him to his face to eff-off.

My immediate supervisor gave me a glowing letter of recommendation and a big bonus on my leaving.

At any rate, and more to the OP: From my experience there, people got the angriest when they felt embarassed or stupid. Provided you didn't shove their faces in it, it was handleable. I was only rude to people who were being willfully stupid (such as that exec - well, that and he was a complete a-hole to everyone under him).

So, I am here working in one of the computer labs on campus, and part of my job is to patrol and make sure that the patrons are not having food nor drinks near the computers. Its a very reasonable thing, and there are signs posted EVERYWHERE. Yet, when I say in a polite voice " Sir/Ma'am, can you please put your drink/food away, its lab policy", they seem to get irritated and angry with me. Its not like I am being a nazi here. I technically can kick them out, if I deem it necessary, but I am being nice, and just asking them to put it away. So, in your line of work, or just general interaction with people from day to day, do you notice people becoming hostile over small things? Why do you think this is so?

The problem is you.

Just because you are taking action to support a reasonable, necessary policy that protects the very equipment the people come to use, and just because you diligently posted signs, and just because you are entirely civil when approaching them, and just because they are in the wrong, both technically and pragmatically, and just because you are behaving well within your duties and would in fact be wrong not to act, that doesn't make you right.

You are worse than a Nazi. All the Nazis did was butcher entire nations and wreak misery, death, and agony over continents. You are taking proportionate and logical steps to protect the equipment from careless patrons so that the patrons may continue to use it.

Don't even try to tell me you're just following orders, Heinrich.

The problem is you.

Just because you are taking action to support a reasonable, necessary policy that protects the very equipment the people come to use, and just because you diligently posted signs, and just because you are entirely civil when approaching them, and just because they are in the wrong, both technically and pragmatically, and just because you are behaving well within your duties and would in fact be wrong not to act, that doesn't make you right.

You are worse than a Nazi. All the Nazis did was butcher entire nations and wreak misery, death, and agony over continents. You are taking proportionate and logical steps to protect the equipment from careless patrons so that the patrons may continue to use it.

Don't even try to tell me you're just following orders, Heinrich.

LOL Whether or not that was sarcasm, either way your post was hilarious.

"How do I use MS Word?" - Not even lying. I get asked this all the time.. And here I am thinking that people in the 21st century are supposed to have some sort of tech. experience, at least with MFing MS Word.
Then you're a jackass.
A little less of being an arrogant prick to people might make them react more kindly to you.

Tim: Team Leader don't mean anything mate.
Gareth: Excuse me, it means I'm leader of a team.
Tim: No it doesn't. It's a title someone's given you to get you to do something they don't want to do for free - it's like making the div kid at school milk monitor. No one respects it.
Gareth: I think they do.
Tim: No they don't Gareth.
Gareth: Erm yes they do, cos if people were rude to me then I used to give them their milk last... so it was warm.

In another thread we came to the conclusion that murder solves everything. Next time you see someone eating & drinking while using a computer in the lab, just point the barrel of your shotgun in the right direction and squeeze the trigger. Mind you, this is only a suggestion.

The real reason the get pissed is obvious, because they are inconvenienced. Obviously, they do not have a more practical place to eat. Though, I will say, a lab would not be my first choice, but to each their own, I guess.

Obviously, they do not have a more practical place to eat.

The more reason to put those wretched souls out of their misery.

I'm just generally annoyed by people, except for family and close friends. Even they annoy me sometimes.
We hadn't noticed.

I'm not disagreeing, just trying to shed light on the question of why.

Generally annoyed by people? Murder. Simple, isn't it?

I'm not disagreeing, just trying to shed light on the question of why.
Yes, but sticky, crummy keyboards and keyboards that have had coffee or cola spilled into them inconvenience far more people than the person who wants to eat over the keyboard.

We hadn't noticed.

*shrugs* I don't really see it as a weakness.

Generally annoyed by people? Murder. Simple, isn't it?

Yea....but I don't want to be Bubba's new boyfriend.... :(

I work in a supermarket, and yes, I encounter hostility a lot. But I live by a code of honour, and I run by the rule "Treat people as you want to be treated."

No matter how bad the customer, I keep calm, cool and collected. Besides, I always have the security guard avaliable to throw them out. No angry fool is going to stop me from being kind and courteous to everyone. It's just my way.

I work in a supermarket, and yes, I encounter hostility a lot. But I live by a code of honour, and I run by the rule "Treat people as you want to be treated."

No matter how bad the customer, I keep calm, cool and collected. Besides, I always have the security guard avaliable to throw them out. No angry fool is going to stop me from being kind and courteous to everyone. It's just my way.

I'll be honest, I could not do that. If I encounter hostile people, I'd be hostile back.

Ok, why am I going into a field that requires me to be a "people's person"?

Yea....but I don't want to be Bubba's new boyfriend.... :(

Bubba needs love too.

I'll be honest, I could not do that. If I encounter hostile people, I'd be hostile back.

Ok, why am I going into a field that requires me to be a "people's person"?

I don't mind your honesty. But I am not a hostile man, simple as that.

As to the second question, I can't answer that one. You have to figure that one yourself.

I don't mind your honesty. But I am not a hostile man, simple as that.

As to the second question, I can't answer that one. You have to figure that one yourself.

Yea, I know, I'm just having a "crap-tastic" week. Luckily for me, I get to go see my therapist tomorrow, not by choice....

So, I am here working in one of the computer labs on campus, and part of my job is to patrol and make sure that the patrons are not having food nor drinks near the computers. Its a very reasonable thing, and there are signs posted EVERYWHERE. Yet, when I say in a polite voice " Sir/Ma'am, can you please put your drink/food away, its lab policy", they seem to get irritated and angry with me. Its not like I am being a nazi here. I technically can kick them out, if I deem it necessary, but I am being nice, and just asking them to put it away. So, in your line of work, or just general interaction with people from day to day, do you notice people becoming hostile over small things? Why do you think this is so?

Why do you hate freedom Zilam?

Yea, I know, I'm just having a "crap-tastic" week. Luckily for me, I get to go see my therapist tomorrow, not by choice....

Well, good luck with that...

Yes, but sticky, crummy keyboards and keyboards that have had coffee or cola spilled into them inconvenience far more people than the person who wants to eat over the keyboard.

Yes, I know why, as my left half of my keyboard sticks thanks to a little coca cola.

Women on the tube get really tetchy when I try and touch them up. It's like jeez, get a blog.

*shrugs* I don't really see it as a weakness.
Who mentioned it as a weakness?

I'll be honest, I could not do that. If I encounter hostile people, I'd be hostile back.

Ok, why am I going into a field that requires me to be a "people's person"?

Remaining calm and collected and ignoring the hostility is the surest way I know to infuriate them more. The satisying thing is that the more courteous you are the less they can do with the anger, they have to bottle it up. I can't tell you how many times I've watched an arrogant academic stalk away from me, seething, because he didn't get what he wanted and could not legitimately report me for my behavior. There is no feeling more satisfying than not giving in to your anger and, in the process, forcing an asshole into either behaving like a moron or having to overcome his/her anger. Either way, it reflects well on you.

Remaining calm and collected and ignoring the hostility is the surest way I know to infuriate them more. The satisying thing is that the more courteous you are the less they can do with the anger, they have to bottle it up. I can't tell you how many times I've watched an arrogant academic stalk away from me, seething, because he didn't get what he wanted and could not legitimately report me for my behavior. There is no feeling more satisfying than not giving in to your anger and, in the process, forcing an asshole into either behaving like a moron or having to overcome his/her anger. Either way, it reflects well on you.

Oh trust me, if I go that route, it'd eventually build up, and I'm the guy who shoots up the damn place. I can't just let it roll off my back, I can't stand there and smile, I can't just supress it into the pit of my stomach. I have to release it, I have to let it go in some physical or verbal form.

Oh trust me, if I go that route, it'd eventually build up, and I'm the guy who shoots up the damn place. I can't just let it roll off my back, I can't stand there and smile, I can't just supress it into the pit of my stomach. I have to release it, I have to let it go in some physical or verbal form.

You can't even do the smug "I'm better than you, I can control myself" shtick?

You can't even do the smug "I'm better than you, I can control myself" shtick?

Depends on how annoying they're being. If it's just someone who is midly irritating, I just ignore them. Moderate, I usually just roll my eyes and tell them "Ok, thank you for your complaint, go away." Maximum is basically, I dish it right back out to you.

Why do you hate freedom Zilam?

I have seen a few people say this every now and then and I think I am miising some joke here. Does anybody care to explain it?

I hate patronising IT guys. Once, when I was on Word, I tried to get rid of Clippit, but then he escaped from my computer and raped and killed my hamster. When I rang IT support to find a way of making Clippit stop, the guy laughed, told me to ease up on the LSD, then put the phone down. I get my revenge through hunting down random IT guys and stealing their limbs.

I dont see why they get mad I just ignore the lab tech.

So, I am here working in one of the computer labs on campus, and part of my job is to patrol and make sure that the patrons are not having food nor drinks near the computers. Its a very reasonable thing, and there are signs posted EVERYWHERE. Yet, when I say in a polite voice " Sir/Ma'am, can you please put your drink/food away, its lab policy", they seem to get irritated and angry with me. Its not like I am being a nazi here. I technically can kick them out, if I deem it necessary, but I am being nice, and just asking them to put it away. So, in your line of work, or just general interaction with people from day to day, do you notice people becoming hostile over small things? Why do you think this is so?

Yep all the time. I work in IT support, what I find a lot is you have to be carefull how you talk to people, how you explain what their problems are and why they are occouring.

Carefull because a lot of them get to feeling a bit stupid once you point out their mistakes. I mean nobody really likes to be told they are wrong, and even when you trying to educate them so that the don't cause the same problem for themselves again they can take umbrage.

Couple this with the stress of a PC going belly up just when you need to get that report , or document, or whatever sorted, it makes the lot of an IT support bod not a happey one at times.

On the other hand though, if you're good, then everybody knows you and the social(read drinking) aspects are great!

I could also be a reaction to embarassment. People feel embarassed when caught doing something wrong. Is that the same as pride?

*puts psychologist hat on* It's all down to an issue of saving 'face', in other words, their projected image as a generally nice, rules-abiding person. By asking them to stop, you are drawing attention to them and the fact they are breaking the rules. This does result in both embarrassment and a threat to their self-image. Also, by complying with your request, there is a level of submission, by handing your the dominance in the exchange. As such, your polite request can be seen as a provocative act and thus people will react with a level of hostility.


Alternatively, people are just dicks.

*puts psychologist hat on* It's all down to an issue of saving 'face', in other words, their projected image as a generally nice, rules-abiding person. By asking them to stop, you are drawing attention to them and the fact they are breaking the rules. This does result in both embarrassment and a threat to their self-image. Also, by complying with your request, there is a level of submission, by handing your the dominance in the exchange. As such, your polite request can be seen as a provocative act and thus people will react with a level of hostility.


Alternatively, people are just dicks.

So long as you putting on your psychologist hat on doesn't result in you referring to Freud, I'm sure that we will end up getting along just fine.

I have seen a few people say this every now and then and I think I am miising some joke here. Does anybody care to explain it?
It's from the early days of the Bush administration, right after 9/11, when they rushed to start wars and pass legislation that ripped the guts out of the US Constitution. Anyone who criticized or even questioned them -- whether politician or journalist -- was denounced by rightwingers ranging from radio shock jocks all the way up to Dick Cheney as "traitors," "giving aid and comfort to the enemy," "soft on terrorism," and "hating freedom and democracy."

"Why do you hate freedom?" has become a mocking reference to those heady days.

It's from the early days of the Bush administration, right after 9/11, when they rushed to start wars and pass legislation that ripped the guts out of the US Constitution. Anyone who criticized or even questioned them -- whether politician or journalist -- was denounced by rightwingers ranging from radio shock jocks all the way up to Dick Cheney as "traitors," "giving aid and comfort to the enemy," "soft on terrorism," and "hating freedom and democracy."

"Why do you hate freedom?" has become a mocking reference to those heady days.

Fun times on NSG, I tell you.

Patriottic hatestorms such as those must have resulted in the premature closing of quite a few threads by the mods, I guess.

So long as you putting on your psychologist hat on doesn't result in you referring to Freud, I'm sure that we will end up getting along just fine.

*spit* do not mention that name. As far as I'm concerned Freud is to Psychology what Creationism is to Biology: an old, unscientific and disproven concept that somehow manages to cling on in the minds of the stubborn and the ignorant.

It's from the early days of the Bush administration, right after 9/11, when they rushed to start wars and pass legislation that ripped the guts out of the US Constitution. Anyone who criticized or even questioned them -- whether politician or journalist -- was denounced by rightwingers ranging from radio shock jocks all the way up to Dick Cheney as "traitors," "giving aid and comfort to the enemy," "soft on terrorism," and "hating freedom and democracy."

"Why do you hate freedom?" has become a mocking reference to those heady days.

k, yeah that's what I thought it was referring to.

*spit* do not mention that name. As far as I'm concerned Freud is to Psychology what Creationism is to Biology: an old, unscientific and disproven concept that somehow manages to cling on in the minds of the stubborn and the ignorant.


Freud pioneered psychoanalisis (sp), for that we may, or may not, owe him something. The rest of it was poppycock.

Yes, I know why, as my left half of my keyboard sticks thanks to a little coca cola.

Ever considered buying a new keyboard? That would probably be a better solution than murder, even though murder is and will always be the key.