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Tech Support to the Technologically Retarded

Everybody has a job that falls outside of their job description, that they're in all likelihood unqualified for, but that falls into their lap through either unavoidable circumstance or extreme cheapness of their employer.  Office managers get asked to build company websites, overnight phone operators made to walk security rounds, roofers implored to clean gutters "while they're up there"...

Mine is finding time and patience to aid seemingly helpless folks that wander down to the lobby where the community computer is, and where my desk is also located.  Mind you, there's no sign next to this computer that says "ask the clerk for help if needed".  I'm just asked because a.)I'm an employee, and b.) I'm relatively young-looking.  To old folks, young-looking = computer expert.

There is practically no variance with these people, as most anybody who's at least semi computer literate owns a laptop or some sort of mobile device that they bring on vacation with them.  I get all the people that don't know their email password because their grandson set it up for them.  It's not even the truly helpless that get to me.  I think it's kinda cute how they keep trying to put their username in the search box, and then ask me "Now what?"  It's the younger ones, more likely from my parents' generation that are only clueless because they are so stubbornly resistant technological advancement, always stating "computers don't like me".

Before I only had to deal with such instances occasionally, before I had this job, like when my aunt suggested I google something for my mother when I had a moment, while they're both sitting in front of a computer.  At least then I could explain to them why assuming someone with two hands would even need someone to do such a thing for them was ridiculous. 

Now, they come in shifts, sighing and swearing at the computer before finally asking for my help, always griping about how stupid computers are, and how they're supposed to make life easier, but never do, yadda yadda yadda...  I can sympathize, if they're trying to print a plane ticket, or get directions to the bus station, but 9 times out of 10:  Farmville.  Then they'll sit there and gripe about the glitchiness of whatever shitty Facebook app they're playing. 

I'm thinking of unplugging that thing as soon as the coast is clear, and chucking into the parking lot where it will hopefully bust into a thousand pieces.




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