More Comments on Stereotypes...

Well, something I said actually got a response, so I'm going to talk more about it!

Steretypes.

Me? I'm tall. Since the 6th grade I've been well over 6 foot. As of now, I'm 6'4" tall, and I weigh 250 pounds.

This has been cause for quite a few comments.

"Youre tall, do you play basketball?"

How exactly should I answer this? I've almost felt like replying,
"You're short! Do you play miniature golf?"

Or this one: "How's the weather up there?"

I've had to suppress the urge to spit, and say "Rainy"

Then I get posts from people like Bee, who look Hispanic, and because of this are assumed that they cook a specific way.

Let's see.. My nose is big, that must mean I'm Italian, which means that I can cook one mean pasta dish!

I'm Black, so that must mean I love red beans and rice, cornbread, and fried chicken!

I'm Polish, so that means I like sausage, potatoes, and cabbage!

Give.

Me.

A.

Break!

I think most times folks automatically assume things because they don't really want to find out about the person they meet. What they really want is what they can get from said person. It's not about who they are, but what they can give.

Me? I tend to be more reserved, and I take people at face value. I also have a tendency to trust someone until I find out that they've earned my mistrust.

Take this for an example.

At my work I have a manager who told me when I started here that he had a degree in computer science, but he never pursued the job because there wasn't much of a demand for the work when he got it.

Me, being the trusting sort, nodded, and took him at his word. After all, why not? I mean, I've never met the guy, and chance are he's telling me the truth, because what value would there be in lying to a basic stranger?

Today, I had an issue that was simple to fix. One install and a reboot was all that was needed. I asked said manager to do it, since it was something any "normal" user could accomplish. His reply? "Um, where do I find the reboot switch?"

So, for a comment like this one, I'm definitely NOT going to believe one more word this jackass tells me. You've got a computer science degree, but you think there's a reboot SWITCH somewhere on the computer desktop?

Anyway...

For me, I think the only bad thing about this job is that I'm starting to stereotype all of my managers into one file.. "Dumbass"

This isn't fair, to be honest, as there are a few here that really have their stuff together.

Of course, these aren't the people I deal with on a weekly or even daily basis, so for the most part I still consider them strangers. They're nice, they get their work done, and they don't bother me about stupid stuff.

It's the other 80% of the management force here that gets my goat.

Really, if you're going to try to impress me, do it with something other than that blazing "intellect" you've got going on.

My example for this one? Yup. I've got one.

Three weeks ago I had to move a workstation and printer. The location they wanted it in had NO power source, so I asked the maintenance manager to drop a power box there so I could finish the job. I got the "We're busy, so you're going to have to wait"

Needless to say, I couldn't put this on hold, as the GM told me to "Get it done... NOW."

So I asked the manager how long I would have to wait. His response? "When I get to it. If you need it done now, then go do something yourself."

You say something like that to me, and you're darn well going to get a result, it's just not going to be one you like. Now, I have to wander through when they do the fire inspections here, and I know what you are and are NOT supposed to do. So I went and did something BAD.

I took a 150' extension cord, and a 10' power strip, and ran a line all the way to the desk location.

I did this just a week away from the next fire inspection tour.

Now, this morning, I got a nasty email, and an extension cord and power strip dropped in my office chair.

I'm not saying "I told you so", but if he'd been willing to work with me from the beginning, then everyone here could have been happy, don't you think??

Anyway, time for a meeting. More next week!

Have a great weekend!!