Employee of a client calls me, absolutely furious. She has just arrived at the office and her laptop will not connect to the wifi. Clearly this network is broken. I suggest a couple of tests, like checking whether the network shows up (it does not) and trying a cable connection (nothing happens). So I timidly suggest checking whether there is actually power in the office, since there is construction going on. Boom. No power. She then asks me where the switch is to turn it back on. I have no idea, of course. Their electrical system is not exactly my responsibility. She snaps at me, asks why they even pay me, and hangs up with enough force that I can almost feel it.
I grin, although slightly annoyed. Luckily the people who work with her are nothing like that.
Half an hour later she calls again, apologizing deeply for how she treated me. She tells me she had a very rough night and even shares the details. Nearly thirty minutes on the phone, venting. Out of respect I will not retell anything, but she really should have stayed home today. She deserved it. She just did not want to tell her managers because she feared they would think she only wanted a longer weekend after yesterday’s holiday.
But her managers are not fools, and they immediately sent her home to rest and take care of her loved ones.
Too often honest people like her pay the price for those who act sly or arrogant. It is not fair, but the smart ones can tell the difference. Not always, but quite often.
