Does it make you feel special?

You know that person who delights in knowing something that other people don't? Yeah, we work with three of them. 

The Hutt and Shoes are forever talking around a subject just so they can see everyone's awkwardness as we sit and listen to them. The worst part is sometimes they forget that they've never actually explained what they are talking about. For example, several months ago they started going to something called MUNIS training. Every week, we heard how they had MUNIS training on such and such a day. Neither of them ever explained what MUNIS was. A couple of months later we had this conversation. 
Hutt: Don't you know we have to do that through MUNIS now?
Us: No. You never told us that.
Hutt: -huff and eye roll-
And then the Hutt walked away, still not explaining MUNIS. Even now we have no idea what it is other than in has something to do with money.

How shall we make people feel dumb today, Shoes?

But this post isn't about them. It's about Mork. Mork is a master of over-using technical terms. To be fair, we don't think this comes from a malicious place. Mork genuinely does know more about the technical side of the business and can't seem to help but use all of these terms without explanation. The ability to gloat about it is just a bonus. 

This happened today. We were talking about an upcoming event involving some middle schoolers. After repeatedly refering to them as "small children" (call them that to their faces, Mork. We dare you) Mork announced the intention to introduce them to a database. "It might be a little over their heads," said Mork with a knowing look, "but it's an EBSCO database so it will work with all the other EBSCO systems." 

Now, we had two choices. We could have admitted that we had no idea what that meant and let Mork preach at us for half an hour. We took the easy route, nodded sagely, and said "Yes, that is an excellent idea. EBSCO systems are so easy to use. Much better than those other databases."

That's a real thing, right? Please let that make sense.

So let that be a lesson to you all. Never assume people know all the technical terms. Unless you are a jerk.

Two new characters

It's been a little while since we introduced some new characters to you. Here are two more weirdos we interact with on a daily basis.

Meet Spacey:

Much like the title character from the classic Cartoon Network show Cow and Chicken, Spacey does not lack in enthusiasm. The problem comes in when any sort of skill is involved. Two months on the job and Spacey still can't figure out how to work the phones. Literally every thing Spacey does requires extensive coaching and hand holding.


Meet Mork:

Ever see Mork and Mindy? You know how Mork gets all excited and talks really fast, says crazy stuff, doesn't stop no matter what the other person says, and you can barely understand him? One of our coworkers is a lot like that. Actually quite competent but so awkward that you avoid all contact.

You can expect to see Spacey and Mork in several upcoming posts.