Monday, July 10, 2006

Common Sense Challenged... ?

I work with some exceptionally smart people. I mean, nuclear-physicist /rocket scientist genius types - not a joke. However, they're usually pretty normal. In touch with reality, and very nice people.

There is one guy I work with, that is so smart - he gets in his own way. He completely lacks common sense. And he's so condescending....thinks that he's right about everything, and will argue with you, almost in a little kid fashion when he's in need of technical assistance. Imagine a grown man saying in a little kid voice "No it's not...un-huh, no it's not".

I just came back from assisting this person with something that he could've resolved rather quickly - but he just was not listening to me as I spoke. He was so busy saying "no sir, uh-huh, you're wrong", that I had to take a deep breath - put on my "Mommy talking to a two year old" voice, and s-l-o-w-l-y show him just how right I was. Without of course, telling him I was right. And then, as I was leaving and complimented and thanked him on working together with me on the issue - I gave him a brief reminder to use his digital authentication card before signing on to the application (because that was the crux of the problem), he started to argue with me about how he didn't need it.

I just smiled, thanked him - and said I was glad to be able to help.

And as frustrated as I am with him....because well, it's hard not to be frustrated with him. This poor guy - I don't think he has anything else. This job is his life I think! He's not married (or at least he doesn't wear a ring), and he's got such a "unique" personality, I don't know how one could tolerate him in longer than 1/2 hour intervals. I know I'd be pushing 15 minutes, top. Maybe he's just angry and bitter because he's lonely. I don't know - and clearly it's not my responsibility to analyze his persona.

I guess it's just my conscience bothering me because I dread interacting with him so much. I mean, I smile and say hello when I see him - but when an email comes, I cringe.
Maybe I'll give him a Christmas card this year.

9 comments:

Martie said...

Oh, I know people like that too! Definetly hard to be around.

chesneygirl said...

I have a cousin like that. He IS a rocket scientist and not an ounce of common sense. Although it can be kinda funny sometimes I'm kinda glad I don't see him or talk to him very much.

bigwhitehat said...

I had this conversation with a coworker.

BWH: Your rinses aren't long enough. Your opposite ph chemicals are forming salts due to residue.

PHD: I have a Phd in Chemestry. What do you have?

BWH: I took 8th grade physical science where I learned that acids and bases form salts.

clew said...

Awwe. See you're like me - I kind of feel bad for these types. Even when they get on my nerves. This poor guy probably doesn't have anything in the world to feel good about except how smart he is - so he clings to it and promotes it desperately.

Just be careful - a Christmas card might encourage a crush. ;)

joy said...

Fine by me >*.^<

Nunzia said...

aw man i know that feeling!

Hale McKay said...

They say there is a thin line between a genius and an idiot ...

(Was that 19 inning game a bummer or what?)

*** said...

I know a guy like that and he found his match who is seemingly as weird as he is. They must be the perfect couple because I literally hide sometimes when I see him just to avoid the twenty minutes he can easily suck out of you. You know, one of those people you start to walk away while they're talking and they don't take cue and just move with you!

Cheryl said...

I didn't know my ex-husband worked with you! HA!