It is so easy to claim that you are open-minded and non-biased when you aren't faced with someone who so obviously doesn't think the same way you do. It is easy to forget that other people have different value systems, morals and ethics until you're slapped in the face with their deviance.
I started thinking about this earlier today while reading a review of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What is Says About Us). The other thing that got me started was an incident of some ballsy driving I observed on the Boulevard. I was sitting at the light at Plaza Blvd, patiently waiting for the light to change. I was in the far right-hand lane behind a guy waiting to make the right onto Plaza. Some dude in a black pick-up shoots past me on the left, swings right onto Plaza, flips a bitch, and motors across the Boulevard to the northbound lanes. Did I mention that he was merrily honking to his buddies?
While I was kind of shocked at his maneuver, I was also mildly impressed with his cojones. I can count on one hand the times I have deliberately run a red light and this dude didn't even want to wait 30 seconds for the light to change so he could make a legal turn around. Balls, I tells ya.
The vast majority of us believe we are better than average drivers. No one wants to admit that they often don't pay close attention, or that their driving suffers when they are on the phone. I find it is rather easy to sneer at my fellow motorists and smugly think that my driving skills are far superior.
OK, I guess driving isn't so much about morals and ethics but it is still about a large group of people who have to observe certain rules and strictures in order for things to go smoothly. So many people are of the firm belief that their time is far more precious, and they are more entitled to take up space. The problem is exacerbated by each person thinking that it doesn't matter what they do because, well, who else is going to be looking out for you? That's right, no one. You gotta reach out and grab at any opportunity to speed yourself along: to make that appointment, to get your kids, to hit the 10 for 10 sale at Acme.
Whew. Alright, shake it off. Really, the thing that gets me is that I hate feeling responsible for other people. I shouldn't have to pay attention for that soccer mom in her H3, yakking away on the cell. Why isn't it enough that I pay attention and (mostly) do my best to be a good driver? Sure, I've done, and most likely will do again, some dumb-ass shit, but that's the exception. And now I know you're sitting there saying, "You just said most people think they are better than average drivers. You're no different." I guess I'm not any different, but the human animal has a great capacity to make sweeping generalizations that have nothing to do with themselves.
28 August 2008
A Hunting I Will Go...
For the last week or so, I have been making a concerted effort not to exude bitterness. The first couple of days were hard; after all, I was fighting against an implacable (incapable) foe. But by the end of last week, I didn't have to try so hard.
That all came crashing down today. The Princess pawned her work off on me again because, apparently, multi-tasking is a dirty word to her. Mail was thrown, pens were tossed, and bitterness was released from wherever bitterness comes from. I am a psychic downer. I wake up each day with the hope that I will be fired. I have never collected unemployment and I'm hoping that today will be the day.
I'm sure you've noticed that this isn't the first time I have complained about my job and the royal pain who is making my life miserable. You're probably thoroughly bored with the whole thing and wish I would get a new job already and leave you in peace. Tough.
I am, in a lackadaisical sort of way, looking for a new job. I get weekly updates from Careerbuilder, and my dad carefully lays out the Jobs section of the Inquirer for me each Sunday. There were several jobs I was interested in applying for but have not done so yet. Why? Why because I'm extraordinarily lazy, of course! Don't you know me at all?
I'm sure you're confused. Why am I staying at a job that makes me miserable? Why aren't I making a better effort to get my resume out there? In a nutshell, my level of misery isn't high enough to motivate me. How much miserabler do I have to be? That depends on what next week's Jobs section looks like. Or how things go with my new work schedule kicking in full-force next week. Perhaps I will have a burst of energy and indiscriminately hurl my resume at passers-by, hoping that one of them will be a muckety-muck at some company that is looking for someone just like me. Most likely, I will continue to plod along and apply for a job or two a week; all the while complaining about how miserable my job makes me. Be sure to tune in; it'll be enormous fun.
That all came crashing down today. The Princess pawned her work off on me again because, apparently, multi-tasking is a dirty word to her. Mail was thrown, pens were tossed, and bitterness was released from wherever bitterness comes from. I am a psychic downer. I wake up each day with the hope that I will be fired. I have never collected unemployment and I'm hoping that today will be the day.
I'm sure you've noticed that this isn't the first time I have complained about my job and the royal pain who is making my life miserable. You're probably thoroughly bored with the whole thing and wish I would get a new job already and leave you in peace. Tough.
I am, in a lackadaisical sort of way, looking for a new job. I get weekly updates from Careerbuilder, and my dad carefully lays out the Jobs section of the Inquirer for me each Sunday. There were several jobs I was interested in applying for but have not done so yet. Why? Why because I'm extraordinarily lazy, of course! Don't you know me at all?
I'm sure you're confused. Why am I staying at a job that makes me miserable? Why aren't I making a better effort to get my resume out there? In a nutshell, my level of misery isn't high enough to motivate me. How much miserabler do I have to be? That depends on what next week's Jobs section looks like. Or how things go with my new work schedule kicking in full-force next week. Perhaps I will have a burst of energy and indiscriminately hurl my resume at passers-by, hoping that one of them will be a muckety-muck at some company that is looking for someone just like me. Most likely, I will continue to plod along and apply for a job or two a week; all the while complaining about how miserable my job makes me. Be sure to tune in; it'll be enormous fun.
25 August 2008
Please Leave A Message...
OK, I officially can't stand it any more. People suck. Time for a "how to" list.
Here's the scoop: I do voicemail retrievals for my company. We handle several helplines for various pharmaceutical companies and also do preliminary screening for clinical drug trials. This adds up to anywhere from 25-30 different voicemail boxes. The lines are tested twice a day - once in the morning when they open, and again in the evening when they are closed. It's annoying listening to 50+ test calls, but those are easy to log, and then I get to delete them.
No, the problem lies with the American consumer and their inability to shut the fuck up. I get that you are having an issue with the packaging on product X. Please don't tell me how you used your teeth/fingernails/pocketknife/sewing scissors to open said package. Just leave your name and number and a brief description of your problem. For example: My name is Jane Doe. My phone number is 555-555-5555 and your packaging sucks. Please call back after 11am Monday through Friday. I have to transcribe your message verbatim. I am a better than average typist, but I'm not super stenographer woman. I am not allowed to abbreviate or use any sort of shorthand.
Oh, and people? When you are leaving your name and phone number could you please speak slowly and clearly? Yeah, that would be great. If your name is unusual, or foreign, please spell it. I get all sorts of shit from various supervisors and senior VPs if my transcription is unclear. Before you ask - yes, I can listen to the message multiple times, but ask me if I really want to. Don't you get annoyed when people leave rapid, unintelligible messages on your voicemail? Yup, that's what I thought.
Remember, the voicemail is not your therapist. Please don't ramble on about how your insurance doesn't cover the drug, or your pharmacist is unsympathetic when you try to use an expired coupon. Name, number, brief description of issue, and best time to call. Don't call back all salty because one of our nurses called you at 11 a.m. and you were at a doctor's appointment. We are not mind readers.
For those people calling for clinical trials; please don't give a rundown of your medical history. There are call center reps who will take you through the questionnaire to determine if you are eligible to proceed to the next step. I don't need to know about your lupus, medication history, family history of drug abuse, or any deaths in your family. Name, number, best time to call. Say it with me now. Short and to the point.
Think of this as a general primer for good voicemail etiquette. I, and all other transcriptionists, thank you.
Here's the scoop: I do voicemail retrievals for my company. We handle several helplines for various pharmaceutical companies and also do preliminary screening for clinical drug trials. This adds up to anywhere from 25-30 different voicemail boxes. The lines are tested twice a day - once in the morning when they open, and again in the evening when they are closed. It's annoying listening to 50+ test calls, but those are easy to log, and then I get to delete them.
No, the problem lies with the American consumer and their inability to shut the fuck up. I get that you are having an issue with the packaging on product X. Please don't tell me how you used your teeth/fingernails/pocketknife/sewing scissors to open said package. Just leave your name and number and a brief description of your problem. For example: My name is Jane Doe. My phone number is 555-555-5555 and your packaging sucks. Please call back after 11am Monday through Friday. I have to transcribe your message verbatim. I am a better than average typist, but I'm not super stenographer woman. I am not allowed to abbreviate or use any sort of shorthand.
Oh, and people? When you are leaving your name and phone number could you please speak slowly and clearly? Yeah, that would be great. If your name is unusual, or foreign, please spell it. I get all sorts of shit from various supervisors and senior VPs if my transcription is unclear. Before you ask - yes, I can listen to the message multiple times, but ask me if I really want to. Don't you get annoyed when people leave rapid, unintelligible messages on your voicemail? Yup, that's what I thought.
Remember, the voicemail is not your therapist. Please don't ramble on about how your insurance doesn't cover the drug, or your pharmacist is unsympathetic when you try to use an expired coupon. Name, number, brief description of issue, and best time to call. Don't call back all salty because one of our nurses called you at 11 a.m. and you were at a doctor's appointment. We are not mind readers.
For those people calling for clinical trials; please don't give a rundown of your medical history. There are call center reps who will take you through the questionnaire to determine if you are eligible to proceed to the next step. I don't need to know about your lupus, medication history, family history of drug abuse, or any deaths in your family. Name, number, best time to call. Say it with me now. Short and to the point.
Think of this as a general primer for good voicemail etiquette. I, and all other transcriptionists, thank you.
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