Does getting to the point make me rude?
I tend to be a poignant individual in all matters that don’t involve girls. I simply don’t believe in fluffing everything I say with nonsense in an attempt to pad the actual meaning. Does this make me rude?
It’s an odd position for me to be in. With my new position at work, I tend to do a lot of work along side one of my buddies. Quite often, while doing our work, a customer will come over and ask me for help. Being that I’m not a salesman, I always answer by saying, “Sorry, Sir, I’m not a salesman. Anyone wearing khakis will be able to help you, though.” Each and every time I say it, though, my friend tells me I sounded rude. On top of that, I was called a jerk by a customer, once, because of it.
This phenomenon carries over to the internet, specifically, Neowin. Again, when posting on the site, I generally just get to the point to save the time of typing something that adds nothing to the conversation. The other day, a staff member’s real life friend brought up how I seemed to be angry and “short” (inferring a Napoleon complex). I went back to look on the posts I directed at him and nowhere can I see myself being rude or crass. Why did he feel I was speaking with such a tone?
It’s just weird for me to understand. In my mind, I’m not being sugary, but I’m no where near being rude. It’s come to the point where I routinely ask my co-worker, “How was that?” What would people think if I really was trying to be a jerk?
Filed under: Journal
don’t ever even slightly give them the impression that your time is more valuable than theirs
If your coworker/friend say’s your being rude when you know you’re no where near rude, he doesn’t know you then.
Maybe its the tone that you use… rather than your words. And also, because you’re in the business of sales… people feel that EVERYONE is a salesperson. That’s just their way of thinking and will always be. so maybe instead of directing them to another person… just direct them to the general area and say that there will be someone there to further assist them since you can’t leave your area… something like that. You can be honest, but with a softer tone and with other choice of words
I know the feeling. I can be rude, and generally I know when that’s the case. However I tend to be realistic about things, if someone is talking crap I’ll call them on it, which can be perceived as aggressive when I’m not. In London I complained at a waitress who could do basic maths, and was told “Don’t get so worked up” It was almost like that scene from Anger Management.
“Calm down sir!”
“I am calm…”
“Please calm down sir!”
“I’m being calm.”
“SIR CALM DOWN!”
“I AM CALM YOU IDIOT!”
“Waitress who *couldn’t* do basic maths”
I really need to proof read.