Author Topic: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.  (Read 7045 times)

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RubySlippers

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"Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« on: December 12, 2006, 04:46:05 PM »
It just happened to me again.  I asked someone a question, and I was given the answer preceeded by the word "obviously."
Surely to God if it were obvious I wouldn't be asking the question.  I find the use of this word offensive and insulting.  By the way, the answer was not obvious at all, but even if it were I find it a rude way to reply. 
To add insult to injury, the person who "obviously-ed" me is an idiot who asks me the same questions over and over again.  She is proud of her stupidity when it comes to numbers and/or computers.  "Oh, I can't do math, tee hee hee". "What's a desktop???"  you get the idea.
I ended up close to raising my voice to her as she stomped out of my office.  Anybody got any suggestions?  She is an easily offended thing who demands perfect behaviour from other people while acting like a boor herself.  I once ended up being given the "silent treatment" for nearly 6 months because - well, I'm not sure really, but I must have breached her code of behaviour somehow.
I feel better for venting a little.  Thanks for listening.

DottyG

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2006, 04:48:16 PM »
I once ended up being given the "silent treatment" for nearly 6 months because - well, I'm not sure really, but I must have breached her code of behaviour somehow.

Not really a solution to your question, but I had to tell you that I laughed at the above.  I used to work with someone exactly like that!  And, like you, I never knew what "Law of Kelly Handed Down From On High" I'd broken, but it must have been a doozy! :D


wetblanket

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2006, 04:48:38 PM »
I need more context to make the call re: rude/not rude.

There are people I only wish would give me the silent treatment.  ;D

Venus193

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2006, 05:02:10 PM »
To add insult to injury, the person who "obviously-ed" me is an idiot who asks me the same questions over and over again.  She is proud of her stupidity when it comes to numbers and/or computers.  "Oh, I can't do math, tee hee hee". "What's a desktop???"  you get the idea.
I ended up close to raising my voice to her as she stomped out of my office.  Anybody got any suggestions?  She is an easily offended thing who demands perfect behaviour from other people while acting like a boor herself.  I once ended up being given the "silent treatment" for nearly 6 months because - well, I'm not sure really, but I must have breached her code of behaviour somehow.
I feel better for venting a little.  Thanks for listening.

Send her an e-mail with the answer and archive it.  Next time she asks the question, mention the e-mail.

This is Tyranny of the Weak at work; you don't have to capitulate to it.

RubySlippers

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2006, 05:05:02 PM »
To add insult to injury, the person who "obviously-ed" me is an idiot who asks me the same questions over and over again.  She is proud of her stupidity when it comes to numbers and/or computers.  "Oh, I can't do math, tee hee hee". "What's a desktop???"  you get the idea.
I ended up close to raising my voice to her as she stomped out of my office.  Anybody got any suggestions?  She is an easily offended thing who demands perfect behaviour from other people while acting like a boor herself.  I once ended up being given the "silent treatment" for nearly 6 months because - well, I'm not sure really, but I must have breached her code of behaviour somehow.
I feel better for venting a little.  Thanks for listening.

Send her an e-mail with the answer and archive it.  Next time she asks the question, mention the e-mail.

This is Tyranny of the Weak at work; you don't have to capitulate to it.

I love the email idea.  Her luddite mentality is such that she pretty much refuses to deal with her email.  It would be months before she ever saw it.  LOL

RubySlippers

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2006, 05:08:12 PM »
I need more context to make the call re: rude/not rude.
Me:  this person has two invoices for exactly the same amount - are they in fact different? or are they duplicate charges for the same service?
Twit:  Obviously they must be different because they have different dates!!!!!! Obviously!  Obviously! (this is her interrupting me while I try to explain that duplications could in fact have different invoice dates).
My verdict? Rude.  YMMV

HogwartsAlum

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2006, 05:21:26 PM »
What a ding-a-ling.  I'm sorry you have to put up with that.

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead, Harry.  We must all make a choice between what is right...and what is easy."
 --Albus Dumbledore

Venus193

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2006, 08:46:14 PM »
I love the email idea.  Her luddite mentality is such that she pretty much refuses to deal with her email.  It would be months before she ever saw it.  LOL

Whom is she related to or shagging to still be employed? :o

RubySlippers

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2006, 11:19:38 PM »
I love the email idea.  Her luddite mentality is such that she pretty much refuses to deal with her email.  It would be months before she ever saw it.  LOL

Whom is she related to or shagging to still be employed? :o
Ok, now I need the brain bleach to get that image out of my head.  She is old.  I mean really really old.  Like 65.  Been here for ages.  Nobody gets fired from here.  The bosses are wimps and just shrug their shoulders when you complain about anything. 
She basically sucks up to her boss and does whatever he says, mindlessly. 
My husband wonders if the bosses know there are real people out there looking for work - with skills!
Why am I still here?  I mostly work by myself. And it's close to home.

Venus193

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2006, 11:37:55 PM »
Aha!  The company fears an age-discrimination lawsuit.  Been there, seen that; have the scars to prove it.  :(

behindbj

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2006, 09:55:30 AM »
Well, DUH.

Bwaahaahaahaahaa

Sorry.

Seriously, though...

I stopped assisting a co-worker because of this behavior - and told her why she needed to find someone else to ask.  When her supervisor came to me to ask why (because the supervisor, oddly enough, was an absolute professional and wanted to hear what I had to say). I told her that any time I spent with co-worker was a true waste of time because all of my answers and adive were clearly so obvious that they couldn't be the correct answer.

She understood.  The co-worker didn't last long.  I deal with all types all day, and if you annoy me to the point that I will become slightly unprofessional, then you've gone too far because I can put up with a lot.

behindbj

RubySlippers

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2006, 10:10:57 AM »
I'm tempted to answer her next question with an "Obviously" but it just isn't my style.  Currently my style with her is show her whatever (sometimes for the 15th time), then walk away silently.  My only rudish behaviour is that I always make a point of saying to her "Now write this down, so you'll know for next time" - fat lot of good it does me.
For a while there she was avoiding me and asking another lady across the hall who was new and had more patience with her.  But she's gone now, so I'm it. (just as well, since the other lady was a bit of an idiot as well and was telling her wrong things).
Excuse me now, while I go hit my head against the wall for a while til I feel better.

behindbj

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2006, 10:18:42 AM »
I used to do the "Here, I wrote it on a sticky for you for next time." and then stick it on their computer or calendar.

Oh - and BIG, HAPPY, TEAM-BUILDING SMILE at the same time.

behindbj

IndianInlaw

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2006, 10:56:49 AM »
Since you are going to have to answer the same stinkin' questions over and over, you may as well have fun.

Start using big words...the bigger the better.

Make up some...it's not like she's gonna ask you what they mean.

Chocolate Cake

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Re: "Obviously" this is my pet peeve.
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2006, 11:35:55 AM »
My only rudish behaviour is that I always make a point of saying to her "Now write this down, so you'll know for next time" - fat lot of good it does me.

You could always answer something like,  "This is something we've discussed many times before; it's past time that you should know this.   So, think about it....what do you THINK you should do?"

OR

"You've asked this same question many, many times.  Where are your notes?"

OR

"You've asked this same question many, many times.   What have you done before coming to me to see if you can find the answer on your own?"

OR

"You've asked this same question many, many times.  Please check your email because I know I've give you the answer there."

OR

"I can't help you now as I have too much work to do.   Go search your email or look in your notes."