Technology

Library patron: Can you help me? I don’t remember how to turn the computers on.
Employee: Well, this one’s already on, see? [Wiggles mouse to activate screen.]Library patron: Oh… What about this one? I don’t like that one.
Employee: Well, this one’s off, so I’ll turn it on [presses power button].
Library patron: Ah, so they each have a little trick. What about this one? [Proudly swishes mouse.]Employee, frustrated: No, see, if the green light is off, then you press the button.
Library patron: Whatever you say…

130 Wall Street
New Haven, Connecticut

Waiter, at new copy machine: Which way does this go in: face down or up, sideways or lengthways?…You’re not going to tell me, are you?
Manager: We’ve got plenty of paper over there; keep trying until you get it right.

45 South Illinois Street
Indianapolis, Indiana

Overheard by: Shatmandu

IT Worker #1: Hey, the system is down.
IT Worker #2: …The whole thing?

500 Eldorado Boulevard
Broomfield, Colorado

Manager: Ok. Since it seems like [Dougie] doesn’t want to be a part of the team and show up for meetings, [Steve], from now on, when you send out meeting requests, make sure the invitation is sent to him personally.

[Steve]: So basically, I should click a few more times to enable this otherwise unacceptable behavior?

Manager: Right.

[Steve]: Got it.

214 West 39th Street
New York, New York

Male employee: I think simplicity is sexy. We have a lot of information, we just have to massage it a bit… I don't want to have to think about where I have to click, I just want to be able to mindlessly and intuitively click everywhere. Hp.com is a good example, go there.
Female employee, frustrated: I typed in “ho.com.”

Oakland, California

Drafter on phone: Um, ya, give me a second and I can put it up on the screen… (sighs) Oh, there it is… Almost up there… That's better.

Central Point, Oregon

Hotel clerk #1 to another, after seeing tv news report: Can you believe someone left that secret iPhone at a bar?
Hotel clerk #2: Well, not all the stupid people work here.

Manhattan, New York

Overheard by: Jasper

Sales VP on speakerphone to assistant: Can I find a word in an Excel file?
Assistant: Yes, use control + f.
Sales VP: Okay, so control and then hold the f key?
Assistant: Yes.
Sales VP: Oh, okay, that worked!

Manhattan, New York

Old coworker listening to another one use the shredder: I can tell you have great shredding skills.

Watertown, Massachusetts

Overheard by: silently sitting in my cube

Teacher: Okay, so now that you know the basic rules of the computer lab, I have to ask you one more question… Do any of you ever check out the NMBLA website? [Silence.] Well I do, frequently. I want to know who the enemy is. Also, I like to look at the new Russian brides on Fridays.

Boston, Massachusetts

Overheard by: Cupcake1