Work grumble

[bunn]

Them : I have this problem, do this thing to fix.

Me: but this thing will not fix.  I suggest that thing instead.

Them: Please do this thing.

Me: but this thing will not fix.  See that thing that will fix!!  (begins to work on fix)

Them: I don't understand why doing this thing is a problem!!!

Me: it's not a problem.  I will do it, I promise*.  But it's not a fix for that problem.  I have made a fix for that problem.  I thought you'd prefer me to explain why doing the thing would not help in this situation.

Am currently gloomily awaiting grumpy response saying : DO THIS THING!!!!!!!!!!

*though not quickly because the thing is in this case, a PITA and will have zero impact on anything, being designed for a whole other scenario that simply does not apply here.

Comments

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry! I hate that kind of thing. A lot people have listening problems.

[alitheapipkin.livejournal.com]

Ugh and indeed woe! Much sympathy!

[timetiger.livejournal.com]

Bah. I hope they see sense soon.

[nattalie-m.livejournal.com]

It's so annoying when someone makes you waste your time trying things that you know it won't fix anything!!!

[r-blackcat.livejournal.com]

Why not simply do this thing and say: "See? It doesn't help, just like I predicted."? You will loose time of course - but maybe not so much of nerves? (And as a person practically living on the other side of the conflict, I'd say to you that it may save not only your nerves, but the other person's too.)

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Usually, I do, but this would be several hours work when they are already asking for a bunch of other stuff as well, and on this particular job I have repeatedly had a scenario where I've done as asked, then they have complained about the cost of paying me when nothing much has been achieved (even when I said that would happen). It's a difficult balance: if I just do as told, then I get people saying the value for money is poor: if I try to educate them, then they think I'm being argumentative.

It would be so nice to be able to just advise someone that a slightly different approach would work better and have them actually listen.

[r-blackcat.livejournal.com]

" I've done as asked, then they have complained about the cost of paying me when nothing much has been achieved (even when I said that would happen)"
Well, in that case I would be complitely on your side - but that woudn't help you much, would it? (Where is the sign of a sad smile?) It's very irritating when people complain about the price AFTER the job is done AND everything goes as they were told.