A new employee named Garth has just come to your software development team. You have no idea of his background, whether he's new to the field or whether he came from another company. You let him know that many of the things are different here than he may be used to, so he says okay and goes to it.
The next morning there's a little post-it with a not-so-absurd question about how to use your current OS stuck to your computer. You put "There's a manual next to your station" on a post-it and stick it to HIS computer. You even put the manual in plain sight. The next morning there's a note that says "Couldn't you just tell me how to use it?"
Finally, after showing him the manual several times he leaves you alone. The next week you walk by his cubicle and he asks you for a stapler. You point him down the hall to the office supply cabinet. He asks if you'll go get it for him in case he can't find it. When you refuse he asks if he can follow you to it so he can be SURE he finds it without having to look too hard. You finally give in and get him the darn stapler, and he just loses it within a week. When he asks you for another one you just flat out refuse. He gets another coworker to get it for him this time, because he can't remember where he got it.
Garth works at the company for about a month, and finally gets his own project to work on. He comes up to you one afternoon and says "Could you do my project for me, and just let me watch". Thinking he just wants to learn, you do it...three times. It gets to the point where he brings you EVERY project he gets. You finally flip out and tell him to get lost. Now everyone thinks YOU'RE the bad guy...and says "Awww, he never wants to help any new guys."
Return to Firebird's Slant on Newbies
Return to The PIT!