Traveling Well with Others

I’m sitting on a jammed packed flight, on my way home from a successful business trip. I’m grooving to my iPod as I review my notes, when the man in 17C decides to fling his seat back to it’s fullest recline. I now have six inches between the top of his balding head and my nose.

Can I tell you that I am justifiably offended?

Most people will recline their seats minimally, understanding that the people behind them might have their laptops open working, meals on the tray, or are enjoying a book.

Instead I must restrain myself from jamming my knees in the back of his seat. In order to not spend the rest of he flight staring at his bald spot, I now have to sit slouched. Somehow I do not believe that he will pay for the chiropratic adjustment this is going to require.

I really dislike inconsiderate people.

No, You May Not

As an Admin, I find myself the wrangler of many resources.  Projectors and other widgets.  All of these items are to be checked out using our calendar system so that everyone might have the resource as they need it.

After spending time instructing people on how to reserve the resource, I am flabbergasted when they come to me 48 to 72 hours in advance of their meetings wanting to have the resource so they might be prepared.

REALLY!?!?!?!?!

Never mind that others have reservations for the item. Never mind that the world DOES NOT revolve around them.

They leave my desk muttering about mean and power-hungry admins when I explain that a) it would be an inconvenience to the others who had reserved the resource, b) I don’t want equipment that I’m responsible for not in place that I can’t account for it, and c) NO, YOU MAY NOT have the resource in advance.

If they want to get familiar with the equipment, here’s an idea.  Check it out in advance.  Get use to it.  Return it.  Then on the day of your reservation you’ll feel comfortable.

Use some common sense people!