# Aargh! Or why won't the workmen outside my office stop drilling? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 29, 2003, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877 "2003-04-29T10:05:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/1 "2003-04-29T10:05:30Z")
We’re moving offices at some point this month, into brand new refurbished offices. However to do this, they have to connect the network in the new building up with the network in the old building. This requires drilling. Which would be fine, except people are trying to work! We’ve got a proposal deadline TOMORROW, which I’m still trying to get numbers out for, and the dratted workmen are still drilling. Loudly. Running away from my office is not an option. :mad: I swear Information Services are out to screw our department over completely, since we’re not the “fashionable” subject any more. ARGH! Just shut the fuck up with the drilling! Please! Pretty please? My ears actually _ring_ when I leave the office… Gah! And in other news, my shower is evil. Pure and utter evil. I swear its possessed. This morning it was going from scaldingly hot to ice cold on a 2 minute cycle. Every two minutes, like clockwork it would alternate between “Aargh its burning my head!” and “Ooh! its too cold. Brainfreeze!” Urgh. Ack! Now the workmen have started hammering _and_ drilling. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/2 "2003-04-29T11:28:04Z")
Try talking to them in your “restrained and reasonable” voice. :: d&r :: ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/3 "2003-04-29T11:29:49Z")
**Steve** , but I’m always restrained and reasonable… ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/4 "2003-04-29T14:17:51Z")
Quit yer bitchin’ _or_ get out and help the fellers. TM a construction worker (carpenter/welder) ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/5 "2003-04-29T15:59:28Z")
Tell you what, you come over here and try and read a paper on string theory with all that noise going on outside, and then tell me to quit bitching. I have a proposal deadline at midday tomorrow for which I’ve only just finished the science case for, and now it has to go to my collaborators to be checked. And besides, how would I help them - I’m hardly a skilled data network engineer. :rolleyes: Well, anyway, they’ve finished now, so I can read this paper in relative peace, and hope I don’t get too many negative comments before 11:59 am tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![Einmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Einmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Einmon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/6 "2003-04-29T16:34:55Z")
I hear ya … they are putting new tiles onto the roof of my apartment building and therefore have to throw the old ones off. Down a big hose they go (_Kerratt-Kerratt-Kerratt_) until they finally shatter in a big container (_CRASH!!!_) I’m sitting here trying to concentrate on writing my final paper. No avail. Did I mention they’ve been doing this for a week, starting at 7 a.m. each morning? I hope your workmen are quicker with what they’re doing!!! ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/7 "2003-04-30T01:30:36Z")
BAH! People want shit done, then whine about the noise when you’re doing it. Sometimes YOU CAN’T HAVE SHIT BOTH WAYS!! TM ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/8 "2003-04-30T06:59:49Z")
**Tony** Did you actually _read_ what I said? Let me refresh your memory (with added emphasis) - > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angua \* > … This requires drilling. _ **Which would be fine** _, except people are trying to work! We’ve got a proposal deadline **TOMORROW** , i.e. today. I’m not opposed to them doing the work - its just that the timing was bloody atrocious. I don’t mind them drilling, just so long as they don’t do it _one_ day before a major deadline, where _everyone’s_ nerves are so frayed its untrue. Sorry if I sound sarcastic, but I’ve had a very tough Tuesday, and today isn’t going to be much better. ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/9 "2003-04-30T07:08:20Z")
Well, obviously it’s a union job and they get paid by the hour. They could be there for months. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/10 "2003-04-30T09:23:28Z")
…They’ve stopped now! Hurrah! ::Angua does the happy dance!:: Oh, and **Tony** , I’m really sorry if I offended you. This was not in any way, shape, or form intended as a rant against construction workers or anything like that, and I’m sorry if it sounded that way. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/11 "2003-04-30T09:55:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angua \* > **why won’t the workmen outside my office stop drilling?** You know, I used to have exactly the same complaint at a former office. Unfortunately it was on an oil rig in the north sea, so I was out of luck. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/12 "2003-04-30T14:28:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Klaatu \* > \*\*Well, obviously it’s a union job and they get paid by the hour. > > They could be there for months. :eek: \*\* When I was non-union I got paid by the hour. _Everyone_ (save for the contractor) gets paid by the hour. And no this doesn’t slow _me_ down a bit. Most people I have worked with just want to get the job done in an efficient manner and move on. Of course there are those shady individuals who just want to “milk the job”, but they’re the ones with the bad reputation no-one wants to work with. > [@](#): > > i.e. today. I’m not opposed to them doing the work - its just that the timing was bloody atrocious. Uh OK But,but…nevermind ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/13 "2003-04-30T15:09:09Z")
> [@](#): > > i.e. today. I’m not opposed to them doing the work - its just that the timing was bloody atrocious. I don’t mind them drilling, just so long as they don’t do it one day before a major deadline, where everyone’s nerves are so frayed its untrue. Ok I _tried_ to keep my yap shut. Most times we _must_ do these type of things _today_. Example: The guys drilling have to get it done so the pavers can come in and close the parking lot back up, because they need to be on another job on xx/xx The painters are schedualed to paint the lot on xx/xx, but the paver need to… a hell you get the point. And you’re (or your cow-workers) are in your office’s wishing those guys could do that drilling some other time because the timing is bloody atrocious… ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aargh-or-why-wont-the-workmen-outside-my-office-stop-drilling/171877/14 "2003-04-30T15:13:58Z")
Yeah, I do get the point. Its the main reason why we _still_ haven’t moved offices. And, for what its worth, there’s _nothing_ else scheduled to be done to the building we’re currently in, just connecting the two networks up. And seeing as we’re not moving till the end of May now, the work could just as easily have been done today as yesterday.