Have you ever tried to do a favor but realized you were taking too long to do it as the person you're helping stands beside you, anxiously awaiting your help to finish? The person you're helping sort of lingers behind you staring at your work over your shoulder, just waiting, waiting, waiting for you to be finished.
I made someone wait like this a few days ago and I then noticed that people always offer help but tend to be slow. Perhaps it's all subjective. While someone is doing something and you are doing nothing, you get impatient quickly. How do you deal with them?
Do you point out to them bluntly that they're too slow?
Do you ask if they could hurry up?
Do you lie and conjure up a reason to leave, maybe continue with the work at some later point when you'll feel more patient?
Do you tell them that you think you've got the hang of it and want to see if you can do it yourselves?
Or do you simply appreciate their help and wait until they're finished, however long it may take?
You have touched on why I always liked to work alone.
ReplyDeleteDrives me insane as well. That's why I prefer to do things myself. I'm a fidgety person anyway so it drives me crazy when people "take their time"...
ReplyDeleteyes it can make one mad... but I think if someone is helping you, doing something you can not do, doesn't this present a great learning opportunity? Learn from them maybe and work with them. Or just turn the other way and come back when they're done ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you want something done right do it yourself. Or done quickly. Guess you attract like-minded, self-reliant readers.
ReplyDeleteRobot Nine
Being disabled, I can't do 'everything' myself. I'm patient to a point but if it's something important (I'm dying of thirst and can't get myself something to drink) I can get really, well, bitchy if someone doesn't help me by the time my patience runs out. lol!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I suppose for me it would depend on how much time on my hands I have and of course...how lazy I'm feeling for the day :)
ReplyDeleteIf I've got nowhere to be and don't mind hanging around, meh, someone else can do it for me :)
Love you blog
Douglas: It's great when you're in a group of people who work well together. It's oh-so-rare...
ReplyDeleteVivienne: Good for you. Have you ever been slow in helping someone else, though?
Carrie Amie: I usually wait it out to let them feel satisfied and helpful.
Alan: I guess I do.
J.J.: That's a great example of such an annoyance, actually. Thanks. As I said to Carrie Amie, I wait so I don't come off bitchy.
Frankie: Laziness... hm. As long as it's not really your responsibility, then it's fine. Thanks for the love.
you know what, I'm not quite sure. I think not because I'm quite a nervous person so have to do things quickly...
ReplyDeletei have adhd i want it done right and right now, since i am the only one who can do it,i just do it.
ReplyDeleteVivienne and littlegirllost: I sometimes just feel like giving people the chance to help, though. It's a nice thing when you ask for help. Makes them feel useful. Doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, really effective piece of writing.
ReplyDeletehis page