IT Odd Job Man

Discussion in 'The Lounge - Off Topic' started by stutheview, Aug 6, 2008.

  1. stutheview

    stutheview Byte Poster

    173
    2
    25
    Ah the beauty of being in IT. :blink

    Last week a user asked if I knew anything about her chair. I just looked at her, blinking for a second or two, not really understanding what on earth she was talking about. From there the conversation went something like this:

    "You know my chair." She said.

    Me: "No, why is it missing?" :blink

    Her: "No, the screws have come out."

    Me: "Oh right." (Said in a I'm cornered and there's no way out kind of way) I wanted to say What's that got to do with me? but didn't.

    Her: "Well, you've got screwdrivers and stuff in your tool kit."

    Me: "Oh yes?" Again: I wanted to say what's that got to do with me? but didn't.

    Her: "And I was wondering if you could repair it for me."

    Me: :blink

    Now, I went along with my toolkit and had a look and did the necessary repair, I'm a nice guy most of the time, but I got to thinking...

    There was an earlier thread about whether a franking machine was a piece of IT equipment... but a chair???

    Is it just me??? :dunce
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP 70-270 70-290
    WIP: 70-291
  2. postman

    postman Byte Poster

    176
    3
    24
    So what you're saying is that a woman asked you to screw her chair? Maybe she meant her instead of her chair:blink:oops::ohmy
     
    WIP: A+
  3. dales

    dales Terabyte Poster

    2,005
    51
    142
    sounds like a good example of the "this sounds like a job for the facilities department as they have to do a H&S check on it after they have repaired it".
     
    Certifications: vExpert 2014+2015+2016,VCP-DT,CCE-V, CCE-AD, CCP-AD, CCEE, CCAA XenApp, CCA Netscaler, XenApp 6.5, XenDesktop 5 & Xenserver 6,VCP3+5,VTSP,MCSA MCDST MCP A+ ITIL F
    WIP: Nothing
  4. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

    13,493
    180
    287
    Sounds like she generalized your role and seized upon an opportunity, seeing that you were right there. She probably thought something like:

    It's interesting what people expect you to do or expect you to know how to do, just because of your role and sometimes, just because you're male.
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  5. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Without a chair, it's difficult for her to access her applications and data. :p

    Eh, I tried, that's all I got. :biggrin
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  6. UKDarkstar
    Honorary Member

    UKDarkstar Terabyte Poster

    3,477
    121
    184
    Dumb blonde ? :twisted:

    Man with screwdriver = IT Technician and chair fixer !
     
    Certifications: BA (Hons), MBCS, CITP, MInstLM, ITIL v3 Fdn, PTLLS, CELTA
    WIP: CMALT (about to submit), DTLLS (on hold until 2012)
  7. hippy

    hippy Kilobyte Poster

    307
    5
    40
    Title: IT Technician Does The Chair

    *starts the bad porn music* :ohmy:oops::eek::ohmy:p:twisted::oops:8)
     
  8. twizzle

    twizzle Gigabyte Poster

    1,842
    43
    104
    Is that the same as saying "oh look a woman in the kitchen, she must know how to cook and clean?"
    Now wheres the chain and padlock! :twisted:
     
    Certifications: Comptia A+, N+, MS 70-271, 70-272
    WIP: Being a BILB,
  9. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

    594
    8
    64
    Sounds like a case of PICNIC to me, Problem In Chair Not In Computer


    sorry, I couldn't resist, I know, it was bad :(:D
     
    Certifications: MCP,MCDST,MCSA
    WIP: CCA
  10. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

    13,493
    180
    287
    Actually, yes. Assumptions made based on perceived gender roles. I mean, who in their right mind would expect a woman to know how to repair a broken chair or a man to be able to prepare a delicious dinner? :rolleyes::biggrin
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  11. stutheview

    stutheview Byte Poster

    173
    2
    25
    :D True!!

    Oh no, "Confessions of an IT Technician" springs to mind. :D
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP 70-270 70-290
    WIP: 70-291
  12. NightWalker

    NightWalker Gigabyte Poster

    1,172
    25
    92
    haha, female logic! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, MCP, MCSA:M 2003, ITIL v3 Foundation
  13. postman

    postman Byte Poster

    176
    3
    24
    I hope that's a euphemism (I've seen those movies were 'applications' and 'data' are hard to access:oops:)
     
    WIP: A+
  14. delorean

    delorean Megabyte Poster

    959
    15
    64
    I was once asked to repair a treadmill... I know, my face was as blank as yours is now.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP 70-270, 70-290, 70-291
    WIP: 70-680, S+, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA
  15. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

    13,493
    180
    287
    At work???
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  16. neutralhills

    neutralhills Kilobyte Poster

    366
    28
    64
    It's not just you. Here's what people have brought into my store (aptly named "Meadowlark PC Repair") and have asked me to fix so far this summer:

    - paper shredder

    - broken controller from an Atari 2600

    - vacuum cleaner ("Well, it's less complicated than a computer!")

    - toaster

    These people are the reason that the toilet cleaning brush you just purchased had a "not to be used for personal hygiene" label stuck on the side.

    Patooey.
     
    Certifications: Lots.
    WIP: Upgrading MS certs
  17. delorean

    delorean Megabyte Poster

    959
    15
    64
    @Tripwire:

    Yep. I was installing a new system for a client when they asked me if I 'know anything about treadmills', to which i just stared blankly.

    Honestly, we're IT people, we deal with all things IT. It actually really grinds my gears that a lot of people are of the assumption that just because a person fixes computers they must automatically know how to fix everything ever made in the history of everything.

    Why is that? Do we give off some sort of 'I can fix anything' pheremone?

    It's even worse when you live in a small community (and as you probably know, communities, no wait, countries don't get much smaller than where I live) and once one person finds out what you do, everyone wants a piece of you.

    Believe me, I've had my neighbors curtain twitch, waiting for me to arrive home. I've had them accost me before I've even made it to my front door after work asking me to pop in to take a look at their laptop/pc/satellite dish/coffee maker etc etc.

    The good lady and I are thankfully moving house next month. If the neighbors ask me what i do for a living, from that day onwards I will become an accountant, just like what everyone else does for a living on this island. I vow to stare blankly when somebody asks me where the power button is on their laptop (yes I have had that actually happen).

    [/rant-slash-response-to-original-question-by-tripwire]

    :cussing
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP 70-270, 70-290, 70-291
    WIP: 70-680, S+, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA
  18. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

    10,718
    543
    364
    We must do!

    I was asked to fix an alarm system when I was putting in a network at a new office.

    Customer “Gaaa, the alarm system keeps going off for not reason, can you have a look at it?”
    Me: :blink
    Customer: :cry:
    Me: "I work in IT, I install computer networks."
    Customer: :blink
    Me: “C-O-M-P –U-T- E- R- S! Ya know?”
    Customer: :blink
    Me: <sigh> "Lets have a look at it then..."

    I did try switching it off and back on again but no joy! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  19. delorean

    delorean Megabyte Poster

    959
    15
    64
    Sounds like what I say to clients on a daily basis... :oops:

    I've instructed my girlfriend to purchase me one of these for Christmas.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP 70-270, 70-290, 70-291
    WIP: 70-680, S+, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA
  20. Theprof

    Theprof Petabyte Poster

    4,607
    83
    211
    LOL, some funny stuff on here. On a serious note I've been asked to fix microwaves, coffee machines, and vending machines at work. All to which I just said sure and send the request over to facilities which then got taken care of. I find that a lot of people get confused when I say no I don't fix these kinds of things... well go figure.
     
    Certifications: A+ | CCA | CCAA | Network+ | MCDST | MCSA | MCP (270, 271, 272, 290, 291) | MCTS (70-662, 70-663) | MCITP:EMA | VCA-DCV/Cloud/WM | VTSP | VCP5-DT | VCP5-DCV
    WIP: VCAP5-DCA/DCD | EMCCA

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.