BS at work - "we don't use fancy words around here, boy."

[neut]

Well, I think the middle ground would be that people (of all educational backgrounds), should be considerate about where other people are coming from and how they think, and understanding of differences between themselves and others. And that when these differences catch us off guard, both parties should be understanding and not take themselves too seriously, but focus on their common goals. But who wants to argue about that? 🙂

We would. 😛

Dealing with a human situation in a text format very seperated from origin is uaually delt with in idealistic terms which usually leads to extreames. Many times a point is exagerated to be undestood and comes of as harsh or fanatical.

Consideration of our environment and that which accupies it (including our fellow humans) should always be of highest concern ... i mean, we can't even have a simple converstion without interjecting idealistic positions. 😛

Play nice. 🙂


peace | neut

 

[CanadaRAM]

I have been accused of using words which are outside of the vocabulary of my coworkers. Typically it is an attempt to shade the meaning and convey additional information. I usually avoid prolix speech and my concision is often the source of the difficulties, but since I seek elucidation instead of intimidation my pedagogy is met with acceptance instead of opprobrium.

😎

😀

Two other points that haven't been brought up;

Engineer on a ship isn't necessarily a calculator-white-shirt-and-tie academic qualification, it's the senior crewmember(s) that keep all the oily, hot and steamy parts at the bottom of the ship working.
"1 A person who is qualified or professionally engaged in any branch of engineering.
2 (formerly) A person who operates an engine (such as a locomotive)."
It is often a dirty, difficult job requiring lots of practical, as well as theoretical, knowledge.

Also, the OP alluded to an ongoing problem with hazing or putdowns coming his way. The use of 'boy" by the other bloke could be either a putdown based on age, or it could be a racial slur.
This is a more difficult thing for the OP to deal with -- he is (I assume) educated, young, shorter on practical work experience, and an outsider to the group. Although use of 'superior' language is not making anything better, it may not be the only, or the primary, problem.

Suggestion: seek out one of the crew who knows more than you do in a certain area -- see if they will teach you. (even better if it seems like their idea). This will take humility and some absorbing of insults, to be sure. But you would be acknowledging their experience and skill, and from their side it's much harder to haze someone who has demonstrated a willingness to learn.

 

[neut]

I have been accused of using words which are outside of the vocabulary of my coworkers. Typically it is an attempt to shade the meaning and convey additional information. I usually avoid prolix speech and my concision is often the source of the difficulties, but since I seek elucidation instead of intimidation my pedagogy is met with acceptance instead of opprobrium.

:uncool:

Ah so you're the ******* ... 😛

😀


peace | neut

 

[mac 2005]

i'm all for using the language as one pleases, but "arbitrary observation" is a misuse of the word arbitrary. i think what you really meant was "cursory."

Thank you. I was just about to make this point.

Part of the problem with people who think they have a large vocabulary is that they know the existence of the word vs. its definition and proper use. Also a symptom of immaturity and trying to impress other people vs. earning their respect by doing a good job.

If you're going to use a big word, be sure it's the right word.

 

[MongoTheGeek]

Ah so you're the ******* ... 😛

😀


peace | neut

Denis Leary wrote my theme song.

A - S - S
H - O - L - E

 

[Sun Baked]

And MongoTheGeek ... nice post.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

I have been getting harassed because I am a college student whom specializes in computers and lingistics, yet find hydralics, refrigeration, heating, and general repairs around the boat easy. What should I do? 😕

Buy a dictionary. 😉

 

[neut]

Denis Leary wrote my theme song.

A - S - S
H - O - L - E

I elect Mongo to be president *******! 🙂

All hail *******! 😀


peace | neut

 

[zimv20]

Part of the problem with people who think they have a large vocabulary is that they know the existence of the word vs. its definition and proper use.

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." -- Mark Twain

 

[MongoTheGeek]

I elect Mongo to be president *******! 🙂

All hail *******! 😀


peace | neut

more like president Skroob.

Dark Helmet: Careful you idiot! I said across her nose, not up it!
Laser Gunner: Sorry sir! I'm doing my best!
Dark Helmet: Who made that man a gunner?
Major *******: I did sir. He's my cousin.
Dark Helmet: Who is he?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an ******* sir.
Dark Helmet: I know that! What's his name?
Colonel Sandurz: That is his name sir. *******, Major *******!
Dark Helmet: And his cousin?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an ******* too sir. Gunner's mate First Class Philip *******!
Dark Helmet: How many asholes do we have on this ship, anyway?
(Entire bridge crew stands up and raises a hand)
Entire Bridge Crew: Yo!
Dark Helmet: I knew it. I'm surrounded by *******s!
(Dark Helmet pulls his face shield down)
Dark Helmet: Keep firing, *******s!

 

[RedTomato]

To the OP - you're lucky you didn't get punched.

I myself would have felt a desire to punch you had you said the same to me. However I would have subliminated it into a sarcastic remark, of the same type as your collegue.

I've studied for both a MA and a MSc at different universities, I've earned good money as a creative writer, and also doing technician / engineering work (fixing computers or welding heavy metal)

Some of the most intelligent people I've ever met have been practically unable to read or write. I play a mean game of chess, but I've been thrashed by a homeless bum who made all his moves instantly while chatting to his mates, swigging his 3-litre bottle of Diamond extra-strong cider and complaining about the length of time I was taking to consider my next move.

A couple of years ago, while on a playwriting project, I had to work with one guy who loved to use big words. Problem was he didn't know the precise meaning of many of them. But he felt a need to constantly make a point that he was more intelligent and better educated than the likes of you or me. His emails were almost unreadable.

In this case, short and clear would have been better than long and abtruse using 50 cent words to do a 5 cent job. You just made yourself look like a fool. As was pointed out above, you also made two basic English mistakes in your post here. [self defense: I'm not perfect either].

Another example? I follow the Linux/IBM vs SCO case on and off. The court papers filed by the SCO lawyers, who are paid a whole $50 per hour and have a very high opinion of themselves, are almost unreadable gibberish with lots of high-faultin jargon. The responses by the IBM lawyers who are genuinely *the best* in the world, who get paid more like $500/ hour, are models of clarity and plain speaking, with the minimum necessary jargon, and that was clearly explained in context.

As a writer, I was extremely impressed. Even I, with little legal background, could clearly understand the obscure legal points the IBM team were making.

My point? It's easy to use english badly. Some like to use it as a tool to beat other people about the head.

It's a much higher skill, and much harder, much more valuable to be able to use it to commmunicate clearly and concisely - without degrading your vision one bit.

If I were you [the OP], I would go back to the guy and say 'hey man you caught me at a bad time. I wanted to make myself feel better. I'll have a proper look at the plug now / next time.'

You also mentioned speaking like a redneck when you go back to college. No. What true academicans really value is the ability to express a complex idea in clear and precise language without dressing it up in unneccessary verbiage.

Yes your lecturers probably use complex language, but the real genuises of their field (any field) are models of clarity. Feynnman's lectures are often given to teenagers to read, they're so clear, even tho he was describing new areas of physics theory.

Don't feel too bad. I made the same mistake when I was fresh out of college and eager to show off what a bright annoying spark I was. I suspect most people here have 🙂 True maturity is in being able to move past that and accept people as equals irrespective of their education.

Hope this helps. I guess you pushed a sore button with me, as I often work with Deaf people who are seen as dumb cos they don't know many words in English, yet when I talk to them in Sign Language (I have near native fluency in it) they can beat me into the ground with their mad signing skills.

cheers

.. Red Tomato ..

 

[Chacala_Nayarit]

You made a mistake, and he responded in a rude manner. There are also visual cue that one draws up before any verbal communication proceeds. 🙂

You live, you learn. 🙂

Actually I did not make any mistake. He was just being an ass. I gave the plug an objective observation and found his assumption was incorrect. Yeah, I have been living and learning for a long time.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Actually I did not make any mistake. He was just being an ass. I gave the plug an objective observation and found his assumption was incorrect. Yeah, I have been living and learning for a long time.

Ah ok. More learning predicted for future...

 

[RedTomato]

Actually I did not make any mistake. He was just being an ass. I gave the plug an objective observation and found his assumption was incorrect.

Thanks for the response - brave person after some of the responses you got here.

Actually, according to what you first said, your collegue didn't make any assumption - he just asked you to doublecheck something:

I am working for the engineering department on the boat. Today, this ******** asks me if this plug looked off. I said ad verbatim: "On arbitrary observation I am not sure."

Could have been a simple power plug and he was taking the piss; or something complex, i.e. a fair question. As you couldn't instantly tell, it seems it was something complex.

Ah well you fell into the newbie trap. First mechanical job I did, at a bike repair shop, they told me to go fetch a left-handed screwdriver. Wasted a good bit of my time searching and asking around for it... 🙂

.. RedTomato ..