How much credit do you give to socially handicapped people? 2

[epoisses]

Everything is in the title, but just to explain the context:

There are 2 socially handicapped people in the company where I work (> 100 people). They are not engineers but work in departments that often tend to consider themselves as the center of the universe instead of a unit that is supposed to provide service to internal customers (at the risk of gravely insulting somebody, I add that it's the accounting dept and the lab ). Both tend to get on my nerves with their clumsily aggressive reactions whenever they think they smell a request for work coming.

I consider them both socially handicapped and so far I've "forgiven" their uncooperative behavior, knowing that I will have it my way in any case by simply sending work requests to their boss, but sometimes I have an almost irresistible urge to be as childish as they are and send a gravely insulting response, cc'ing the entire planet. However, French is not my native language and I have to think hard before I find a truly beautiful sarcastic answer worth to be sent, usually long after the urge has disappeared again. I'm also afraid I would regret any childish response in writing from my side later on, as it would put me on the same pathetic level as these 2 poor things. Sending an unemotional and understanding response like "listen, you may not realise, but I don't really appreciate the way you write to me" somehow does not sound like it would make any difference to these socially handicapped. Neither do I count on their bosses to be able to change anything in their behavior, I do not even feel like trying, after all we're not in kindergarden anymore.

So my strategy so far is to not waste time on them and ignore them, but I was wondering if anyone had any better (more satisfying) ideas...? If you don't but have to deal with this species as well, please feel free to rant...

 

[macmet]

I don't have too many internal issues like this, but I do have some suppliers that make me jump through hoops to get pricing or parts. Not only that, it seems like whenever I get a part from them it is just slightly off, but enough so that I cannot use it.

What I did was start CC'ing their 'bosses' on email and that seemed to help. Now when I do talk to their 'bosses' they ask me if I got the right part for this or that... worked well.

People seem to act differently when they know that their superiors will find out.

 

[BJC]

casseopeia
Your right on. I would emphasise that it's a problem that WE have ( not their department) and it makes US ( the company ) look bad.
Personally I think the situation might respond to ranting and raving, pounding on the desk and a few words that are unknown to a sailors parrot. Explain to them that if the company goes belly up you as a ChemE will have another job, they as clerks etc. will wind up at the local 7-11. You are willing to help them. Then given them the boatanalogy, "Wer're all in a big boat with 20 oars on a side, we are going upstream and were 1/4 mile upstream from a waterfall. Pull you %&@@ oar or get out of the boat. " It's fun and you can use you acting experience, don't really loose your cool.

 

[rtmote]

I call them 'shitlers', they're young, they're in charge, they're everywhere. Writing to them is a waste of time, arguing with them is a waste of time.

Never raise your voice, ask for their specific objection, repeat it back to them and say thanks then I always ask for their supervisor. I love making sure I understand all the nuances, wording and clauses, sub-sections etc. Ask if there is anything else. I had to do this with a 20 year old telling me I could not get a licence to practice and no she didn't have a supervisor. I just pleasantly asked for someone else then on another matter. I got referred to another department and re-routed to another person in the original department where I was able to repeat verbatim what I was told and I was kindly helped.

This also happened in Holland, typical of any bureaucracy worldwide, an unqualified 19 year old 'civil' servant could decide whether I could stay in Holland (she said no, her supervisor said yes) or whether, ny Dutch law, I am the father of the children (he said no, supervisor said yes). Shitlers. the power goes to their heads, they do not believe in teams.

First, I aim for a win-win deal and get that supervisor to follow up. Secondly, if I am going to lose my rag it's going to be with someone closer to my level then I do BJC's routine.

 

[casseopeia]

Avast BJC,

Ye be a sharp-tongued salty dog! But ye let the plunderin’ scallywag in the lab and accounting off easy. Are ye addled by ye grog? The bilge-suckin’ weevel shagger must be keelhauled, or impaled upon th’ bowsprit as an example to allll. There be no oars upon this pirate ship! Accept no quarter.....arrrrgggggh

The Foul Temptress Conniving Cassanrdra (just getting ready for a performance at this weekend’s County Fair. Your boat analogy put me in the pirate mood)

Now where's me hair o' th' dog.....

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[BJC]

Aye. Casseopia. Running a tight ship requires a tool box with more than jars of honey in it.
Tis your first job to keep the ship from hitting a rock, sinking, or sliding back over the falls. When you need drastic action and ye open your tool kit and find none but jars of honey ye be SOL. Ye may offend or upset the tender hearts of some "socially handicapped" lubbers but yer job be to get the ship and yer trusty crew to the next port upstream. I ner had a job where I was paid to be loved.
we can continue this conversation Sept. 19th.

 

[btrueblood]

Arrr. But a real pirate need say nothing else, it's all in the inflection, intonation, and facial expression when delivering the line. Arr!

 

[monkeydog]

Give me a break;
Will you guys quit tripping over your tongue trying to impress the belly dancer?

 

[casseopeia]

Monkeydog,

I’m sorry. Once again I am the instigator. I should be lashed wit’ yer cat o’ nine tails.

I blame my rather hazy state of mind this morning, caused by a very late night rehearsing, a bit too much drink afterward, and a large fire less than 1/4 mile from my house that caused us to have a reason to stay away.

For some reason some of us (me) thought it would be interesting to try drinking rum, just like our pirate characters would. BIG, BIG mistake.

As I read my first post, epoisses, I see that my last word was cut off. I wasn't suggesting that you weren't working. I meant to say 'work out'. Physical exercise will help relieve at least a bit of your frustration.



"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[debodine]

casseopeia, you go right on being the instigator. Made me grin big time reading this thread, and today I needed a reason to grin. See, here it is <GRIN!>

debodine