# Ever been accused of being lazy when you were simply efficient? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416 "2011-06-30T19:07:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/1 "2011-06-30T19:07:36Z")
I was talking with a friend about things we wanted in our houses. I said I wanted a laundry chute because it would save a lot of time and would make doing laundry easier. He said using a laundry chute is lazy. I maintain it’s efficient. To me, someone who is lazy gets out of doing any kind of work, or at least does sub par work. Someone who is efficient actually gets more work done, but maybe even with less effort and time used. (And I’m talking about quality work.) Some people think you have to break your back to be doing something of value but I don’t believe that. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/2 "2011-06-30T19:09:59Z")
I will always find the easiest way to do anything. I think it’s efficent, but people have called it being lazy. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/3 "2011-06-30T19:15:33Z")
It’s efficient, you friend is a masochist or jealous. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/4 "2011-06-30T19:38:28Z")
I **am** lazy. That means I generally find the most efficient way to something. And yes, if I have to have laundry and bedroom on different floors I want not only a laundry chute, but a dumbwaiter too so I don’t have to lug multiple baskets back upstairs. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/5 "2011-06-30T19:47:06Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I will always find the easiest way to do anything. I think it’s efficient, but people have called it being lazy. I would have to say that it would depend on the _quality_ of work in that case. It’s easier to duct tape a broken windshield wiper than it is to replace it, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/6 "2011-06-30T19:49:09Z")
Laziness is the mother of efficiency. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/7 "2011-06-30T19:50:48Z")
A laundry chute would make laundry easier. It also, as my brother could tell you, makes a fun game for 4 year old boys to pee down the laundry chute so keep that in mind if you have kids. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/8 "2011-06-30T20:15:02Z")
I’d find the most efficient way to do things, but I’m too lazy. ---
**Author:** ![QuercusMax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/8baadc/32.png) [@QuercusMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuercusMax)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/9 "2011-06-30T20:19:26Z")
I’m a computer programmer. According to Larry Wall (creator of Perl, among other things), the three cardinal virtues of a programmer are: 1. Laziness 2. Impatience 3. Hubris These were definitely evidenced by the creation of Perl. 😉 But seriously, I often put in a great deal of effort to automate repetitive tasks, even though it may actually take more time than to do it by hand, because I’d rather spend my time doing something new and interesting once rather than something boring and painful 100 times. Laziness is good, as long as you put it to good use. ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/10 "2011-06-30T20:23:25Z")
I’d rather move the laundry room upstairs. Is that lazy or efficient? ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/11 "2011-06-30T20:39:24Z")
When I was a kid my dad often had me do basic yard chores and such. Instead of just doing it the way he told me to, I would usually try to take a few minutes to come up with a way to do it in half the time. Most of the time I was able to do so. He considered this being lazy. While evidence of my laziness was not hard to come by, I don’t think this qualified. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/12 "2011-06-30T20:48:27Z")
> [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](#): > > I was talking with a friend about things we wanted in our houses. I said I wanted a laundry chute because it would save a lot of time and would make doing laundry easier. He said using a laundry chute is lazy. I maintain it’s efficient. > > To me, someone who is lazy gets out of doing any kind of work, or at least does sub par work. Someone who is efficient actually gets more work done, but maybe even with less effort and time used. (And I’m talking about quality work.) > > Some people think you have to break your back to be doing something of value but I don’t believe that. Check your zoning - in many areas laundry chutes are illegal because they break the fire break aspect of the flooring. If you had one previously, no problem but you can’t add them to structures [happened to friends of mine in New Britain CT, they have to schlep laundry 3 floors] I would rather put the laundry on the same floor as the bedrooms, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/13 "2011-06-30T20:49:44Z")
Frank Gilbreth, one of the early efficiency experts, used to ask to be taken to the laziest worker in the factory. His reasoning was that that person would have figured out the quickest, easiest way to do the job. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/14 "2011-07-01T02:33:27Z")
No, because if I’ve found a more efficient way of doing something I’m likely to jump around telling everyone like a pre-schooler who’s just learnt the alphabet. My job is mostly conducted sitting at home in front of the computer watching TV. It often takes real effort to persuade people that I’m actually working. > [@BetsQ](#): > > I’d rather move the laundry room upstairs. Is that lazy or efficient? Impractical in most places due to getting water into and out of the washers and dryers, ventilation, loading and noise. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/15 "2011-07-01T02:38:46Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Check your zoning - in many areas laundry chutes are illegal because they break the fire break aspect of the flooring. If you had one previously, no problem but you can’t add them to structures [happened to friends of mine in New Britain CT, they have to schlep laundry 3 floors] I bet that could be overcome by building the chute with fire-rated walls all around. > [@SciFiSam](#): > > Impractical in most places due to getting water into and out of the washers and dryers, ventilation, loading and noise. Well, it’s somewhat easier than putting in a new bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/16 "2011-07-01T02:41:55Z")
Previous job was always accused of taking short cuts. Nope just figured out easier ways to do things. All you folks can either watch and learn, or just do things the old fashioned way. Lost out on overtime, but I’ll be damned if I was going to do other peoples work because they weren’t bright enough to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/17 "2011-07-01T03:30:40Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > I bet that could be overcome by building the chute with fire-rated walls all around. > > Well, it’s somewhat easier than putting in a new bathroom. Maybe - although I’ve never had the impression that was easy either. A laundry chute would mean you could send your laundry down to the room on the ground floor or, preferably, in the basement where its noise would never disturb you, and retain upper floors for those rooms which need natural light. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/18 "2011-07-01T03:37:26Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Maybe - although I’ve never had the impression that was easy either. A laundry chute would mean you could send your laundry down to the room on the ground floor or, preferably, in the basement where its noise would never disturb you, and retain upper floors for those rooms which need natural light. In new construction of course any of these designs is trivially easy. In remodel work, they’re a lot of work (you’d have to be unlazily dedicated to efficiency to do it). Nevertheless, people do remodels of this scale and larger pretty often. Naturally I wouldn’t sacrifice a windowed exterior wall to a laundry room in any case. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/19 "2011-07-01T04:54:56Z")
Yes. What sucks much worse is when the people accusing you of being lazy try to get you to do their work for them because they see you have free time. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416/20 "2011-07-01T07:21:59Z")
Yup. Several times (in several different work contexts), I’ve automated laborious data checking/comparison tasks - the sort of thing where people used to pair up, each with a printed copy of two different product or customer lists, with one person reading theirs out and the other checking off. Ten minutes worth of SQL and it never needed doing that way again, and in fact worked a great deal better. “But you’re not doing it _properly_!” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-accused-of-being-lazy-when-you-were-simply-efficient/587416.md?page=2)