Idiot X easy problem=extremely complicated solution (and one old story)

[flutes_and_fabric]

Ok, so I think I may be the customer here, I'm really not sure, although it did happen at my work and they were sucky and they affected my ability to do work.

So I'm student teaching right now, and the school I'm at has been getting new windows. Well of course the entire school was finished last month (I'm talking over 30 days, none of that well technically it was last month a week ago crap) except for my classroom. It's sunny and students have to line stands up so they can see their music. There are bleachers in the room, so we can't turn around.

These workers have come in and out of the classroom at least 10 times in the past week, yet nothing gets done (and all of the materials for the job were stacked at the front of the room, blocking the music library and tuba locker.)

I'm sitting in the office grading papers and 8 guys (the office is 6 ft. X 5 ft. with 3 desks, 2 filing cabinets, and 2 stands) come walking in and stand around me and just start arguing.

Apparently they ordered 32 inch molding pieces or something, and they were convinced the windows were not 32 inches. There was a lot of "Well, it looks this and that" and "It's 5 hand widths apart" and everything but actually measuring the dang thing.

After about five minutes of being smothered and a mix of english and spanish bickering, I finally get up, grab the TAPE MEASURE off of one of the guys TOOL BELTS (meaning he had it all along), climb up on a chair, and measure it. Yup 32 inches. Boom, take that beotches!

One guy kept saying "but it looks..."



Reminds me of this old one from the fabric store )

Me: One yard?
SC: yes
Me: OK
SC: THAT'S NOT A YARD!
Me: Yes it is.
SC: No, this is a yard (holds hands apart at some random distance)
Me: I'm measuring it with a yard stick
SC: But that's not the same as a fabric yard
Me:...really?
SC: THIS IS A YARD! (holds hands up to a different distance)
Me: I assure you, a yard of fabric measures out to...a yard
SC: Well, that's not a yard!
Me: I give up.

[depechemodefan]

I have a feeling that those workers treat people like furnature a lot.

And to think it's tools that seperate us from the animals (um, 99.98% of animals).

[Mystic]

Sounds like they are trying to drag their time out so they continue to make a paycheck. Not uncommon. hehe

[flutes_and_fabric]

Sounds like they are trying to drag their time out so they continue to make a paycheck. Not uncommon. hehe

Yeah, too bad they're not paid by the hour.

[LillFilly]

And to think it's tools that seperate us from the animals (um, 99.98% of animals).

Yep, except the greater apes, ravens, crows and I think maybe elephants and dolphins (any creature with the concept of self-awareness, like recognizing itself in a mirror, is highly intelligent)

Of course, from the stories on this site, I'm not sure WHICH group is smarter!

[Sheldonrs]

I have a feeling that those workers treat people like furnature a lot.

And to think it's tools LIKE THAT that seperate us from the animals (um, 99.98% of animals).

Fixed it for you.

[Flying Grype]

Otters use tools -- they grab rocks off the bottom of the river and crack shellfish open with them.

I heard a news story this week about a woman who bought a sofa and had to take it back because it wouldn't fit in her building's elevator. Then she bought a different sofa that still wouldn't fit in the elevator. So she called some friends to help her carry it up the stairs, and while she was waiting for them, the sofa was stolen from the lobby. I have no sympathy if she doesn't know how to use a tape measure.

[Pagan]

Otters use tools -- they grab rocks off the bottom of the river and crack shellfish open with them.

Or the octopuses that use coconut shells. Never have trusted those weird-looking creatures....

[depechemodefan]

Yep, except

That's what the .98 factored in.

[Draevis]

Yeah, too bad they're not paid by the hour.

The problem could be that they are paid by the hour. Thus arguing about the measurements for hours on end pads their paycheck.

[wagegoth]

Or the octopuses that use coconut shells. Never have trusted those weird-looking creatures....

I quit eating squid when I learned how smart they are.

[Geek King]

I quit eating squid when I learned how smart they are.

Until they make the same vow, I'm leaving them on the menu. Very tasty.

[wagegoth]

Until they make the same vow, I'm leaving them on the menu. Very tasty.

I think most of them have.

[flutes_and_fabric]

The problem could be that they are paid by the hour. Thus arguing about the measurements for hours on end pads their paycheck.

They work for the school system and are paid by the job, not by the hour. We had a discussion about it in the teacher's lounge, and this was confirmed.

[Andara Bledin]

They work for the school system and are paid by the job, not by the hour. We had a discussion about it in the teacher's lounge, and this was confirmed.

They're still getting paid for not-working. Maybe make a comment about the "odd situation you had in your office" to someone who might be able to give a swift kick where it's needed?

^-.-^