Idiots, just stay far away from me
moneyrelations :: Feb.19.2008
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I was sent to a Microsoft Sharepoint training course a couple of weeks back. My work place is planning to implement it as a web content management system / knowledge collaboration solution so I was sent to check it out. Unfortunately, the class was pretty full so we had to bunk up on computers. I was sharing a computer with a web developer from another organization.
From my previous post about the importance of job reputation, you get the idea that I try to be helpful. However, I have my limits and I cannot stand downright stupidity.
Throughout the 1-week intro course, we had hands-on exercises to familiarize ourselves with what Sharepoint is about. There were no earth shattering concepts but more of an investigation of how Sharepoint implements pretty basic tasks. However, my partner was having a really hard time. That’s fine – it’s an intro course. But when one’s job description is web developer, I’d expect some technical background.
To my absolute shock, this was not the case.
As an example, we had to do an exercise that required the scheduling of an event. The instruction said: Put in [tomorrow] date.
My partner took it literally.
I gasped out loud, “You’ve got to be kidding me” and then thinking it was rude, I bit my tongue.
But what logical person would put in “tomorrow” when there’s a calendar button right beside it so you can choose a date? Aren’t these standard visual cues that even a non-technical person would figure out?
Okay, I let this one pass. Maybe she didn’t understand the instructions properly. But throughout the week, she was driving me nuts – not listening to the instructor and commencing lessons in which she clearly didn’t understand the point. She’d inevitably screw up so I’d have to unravel what she did so we wouldn’t get left behind. I got so pissed I ripped the mouse from her hand.
And then when I would “drive” doing the exercises, she’d say, “yeah, uh huh, that’s right”.
Bitch, please. I don’t need to hear it from someone who didn’t even know that you can open up new tabs in IE7 instead of new windows. And IE7 has been out how long? Also, don’t tell me that you only use Firefox because it’s your job as a “web developer” to um, develop for the web and to make sure it is compatible with all major browsers.
The whole experience just left me more jaded about jobs and working in general. I’m sure everyone has experienced office gossip that so-and-so doesn’t deserve their job position because they are incompetent. On the flip side, I’m sure that others work really hard and deserve their salary or are even underpaid.
Frankly, I accept life’s little quirks and I understand that there are no absolute hard and fast rules in the work force. I just know I hate working with morons, so just get out of my way.
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You’ve reminded me of an instance some time back, the webmaster where I work was on the phone instructing a colleague who was having probs. He patiently spelled out to her what she had to type in the address bar, “C Charlie, X X-Ray, L Lima, etc” and yep, you guessed it. She was typing in the words literally! We all absolutely peeed ourselves;-D
Um, WOW. I hate being surrounded by stupidity as well, and I would have had a lot of trouble keeping my mouth shut to her about it. I most likely would have resorted to lots of vague sarcasms that, given her lack of technical expertise, she wouldn’t even understand. But then, sometimes I’m mean like that.
hahaha, this makes me smile as I don’t suffer fools at all. And boy do we cross a few in our lives… good luck with sharepoint…
ouch! I feel your pain. And I hope she’s not the Last Hope for whatever IT dep’t she’s part of. Yikes.
I just know I hate working with morons, so just get out of my way. Amen to that!
Yep, happens all the time! Especially the bosses when I was in the corporate world.
lol, i totally hear you and feel the same way, but trust me when i say that working with a bunch of driven geeks isn’t a whole lot better.. :p
Ahh, touched a nerve, eh guys?
@ Rebel
That’s a funny story
I can deal with non-technical people. That’s fine that they don’t understand some stuff as I’m sure they have many other skills that I don’t… But when it’s in your area of expertise… Then that’s when I start steaming…
@ Rachael
I just ignored her and turned my back on her a lot. It sounds mean and I think she was trying to network with me. From her questions of Sharepoint, I think she must have been a DBA and it was a lateral move into her new job. But still, you got to keep up with what’s going on in the field… and heck, it wasn’t rocket science – no excuse for lack of common sense!
@ Paul
See, I do have another side
@ Nancy
Let’s hope she isn’t the Last Hope AND in charge of her IT department. At this point, nothing surprises me.
@ centsprout
Back at ya, sista!
@ Arohan
Luckily for me, I have a very good boss. He gets out of my way
@ Adil
Been there, done that. Ahh, testosterone…
I just lay low in the weeds while the boys grunt and show off. Lil’ ol’ me who has to work harder on everything just studies up and makes notes. Then I come around with my big stick, laying a huge smackdown: streamline business processes and architecture, rejig the code and whaddaya know, 3 times faster! Instant ownage.
*whistles innocently*
Reminds me of a quote from techcomedy.com:
“There are a number of questions that are so apocalyptically stupid that they cannot be answered (even with the literal truth) without sounding like a smartass. However, this is somehow your fault when exactly that happens. “
lol, that’s funny! Sorry you had to deal with her all week
This just made me laugh out loud! I deal with this all the time. Just yesterday, a police office walked into my office (a grown woman, mind you), and asked if we knew how to use the scanner! I’m still surprised daily that so-called professionals still can’t use simple machines.
Hilarious post!
Mike
I had just read the line “And then when I would “drive” doing the exercises, she’d say, “yeah, uh huh, that’s right”.” when i said to myself … Bitch along with several other expletives only to continue reading … Bitch, Please. .. I Love it! and i feel your pain.
Having been on both sides of the desk, student and teacher … it’s extremely frustrating as the teacher to have smart arse no it alls race in front only to end up in the shit. I’m glad those days are behind me.
@ Trainee Trader
That is so apropos! I naturally have a sarcastic sense of humor but thankfully, I have a self edit button.
The one-liners I could come up with…
@ Chris
Thanks, Chris
I’m over it but I truly have no problems dealing with non-techies. I’m not the most technical person myself but the purpose of my blog is to learn and to keep up with what’s going on at the grassroots level. That’s why I also bought my iPod Touch and I’m contemplating on getting a Mac. You have to stay current.
@ L
You know, it’s kind of scary that one of these days, we might be the ones that the kids go, “you’re so obsolete!” because we don’t know how to use something. I’m dreading when that day happens.
@ Mike
Glad you got a laugh
@ Neil
I hear ya, Neil. Most of these smart-ass kids might have technical skills but they don’t know the fundamentals of why things work. All flash and no substance. Some of them could learn a dose of humility and respect too…