# Is browsing "Personal Sites" (like the Dope) on your break at work poor etiquette? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 27, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479 "2011-07-27T13:21:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/41 "2011-07-28T05:35:13Z")
> [@BDBoop](#): > > OT: How do you all keep each other straight with no avatars? This is going to be very strange for me. I generally don’t. I focus on the topic, not the poster. If someone says something interesting, I’ll inherently remember their name. Otherwise, I won’t. And, unfortunately, interesting often means annoying or worse. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/42 "2011-07-28T05:41:04Z")
My Chambers tried a srunt some years ago on “misuse of internet priviliges”. At the meetiing it was pointed out that they thought nothing of sending us (admittedly straightforward) work when we were on holiday; surely fair exchange was no robbery. They relented. 95% of the time we are too busy or out of the office to check the personal sites anyway; so if someone quickly check his/her mail and pops a quick reply, should not matter. ---
**Author:** ![BDBoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@BDBoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BDBoop)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/43 "2011-07-28T05:58:40Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > You just learn names and writing styles. Don’t go into ATMB and ask for avatars, this place is rather… steadfast about allowing any changes to the board in general, and especially staunch about anything related to images. Understood. Probably a bandwidth issue. ---
**Author:** ![YaraMateo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/58f4c7/32.png) [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/44 "2011-07-28T06:43:01Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, because when everyone else disagrees with you, they’re the ones that are wrong. When the only way you can further your argument is to insult people, you’re the one that’s right. And when people get upset when you intentionally insult people, it’s because they know you’re right. You misread what I wrote. Everyone is claiming they’re right because EVERYONE uses the internet for personal reasons at work. Everyone is RIGHT because you’re weird if you don’t use the internet for work. I.e. I’m not part of the mob, so I’m wrong for not wasting company resources. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/45 "2011-07-28T06:58:35Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > You misread what I wrote. Everyone is claiming they’re right because EVERYONE uses the internet for personal reasons at work. Everyone is RIGHT because you’re weird if you don’t use the internet for work. I.e. I’m not part of the mob, so I’m wrong for not wasting company resources. :rolleyes: Again, what are you wasting? Wasting implies using something up that can’t be regained. The only thing you’re wasting is electricity, and browsing the internet uses laughably little extra electricity compared to an idling processor (that’s probably managing other tasks anyway, especially if your computer is ghosted from a server and your terminal is just a “shell”), for business packages, the tiny amount of bandwidth you’d use is worth barely anything. You probably can’t even measure how much money you’re using up in pennies, giving the company an extra 10 cents to compensate every 6 months would probably more than make up for it (assuming you’re just using it on your 10 minute break). Again, you could make a case for wasting resources if you’re using a computer that’s not specific to your cubicle/office, i.e. using a lab or shared computer somebody else could be using to do actual work. But I think in the vast majority of workplaces nowadays, that’s not the case at all, and nobody else is going to use your computer if you’re on break because they have their own. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/46 "2011-07-28T07:52:44Z")
My company sometimes blocks the Dope. Sometimes they do a firewall upgrade and it is open again, only to be shut down again. I have it at work, for now. But I visit sites on breaks, and even during company time between tasks. My tasks are all computer based, so I have opportunity all day long. My manager is aware and gives me a free pass. This is because I kick my co-workers asses in terms of production and job knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/47 "2011-07-28T09:05:05Z")
Dude, **YM** , you are taking things to the extreme. Browsing the internet is not some kind of moral failing. Even if people are addicted- so what? Is using the net on your break really worse than reading the paper or chatting about TV? Is it okay if you are using it for paying bills, shopping and other errands? That said, I don’t buy the “it doesn’t cost them anything” argument. It doesn’t cost anything for me to use my office as make-out spot or a craft studio, but that still is not an appropriate or professional thing to do. My personal rule is “don’t surf things that, if the board of directors visited, you wouldn’t want on your screen.” Don’t put yourself in a position where your history would raise eyebrows or where you would want to do an alt-tab if your boss came by to talk. I’ve been on jobs with plenty of downtime. I used this to browse industry related news, play with web apps that may be useful for the office, and other fun-but-relevent things. It doesn’t take too much creativity to find ways to use downtime to add to your career. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/48 "2011-07-28T09:09:34Z")
Our boss just informed us that, while some people have had their internet access cut off on account of “spending all day on youtube”, company policy is that it’s fine to go to any “normal site” (including youtube) so long as it doesn’t interfere with work. In fact, if people find anything interesting and job-related, they should share it (ppts of bikini-clad girls are not considered job-related \<-- her actual line). And no, it isn’t only for us IT folk, it’s company-wide. So this is a company where the only thing that’s considered bad form is being bored at work. ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/49 "2011-07-28T09:14:02Z")
I’m going to agree with YaraMateo in one respect. He/She is saying if you HAVE to surf at work then you’re addicted. I’ll agree with that. I don’t HAVE to surf at work. I want to. I find the internet in general & the Straight Dope in particular interesting. Staring at the wall of my cubical would be boring. I actually do most of my Straight Dope surfing at work. At home there’s usually other stuff I’d rather be doing that wouldn’t be possible at work, like playing video games or watching TV. My boss loves both the quality and quantity of work I do. My last review was awesome, almost had me blushing. If she ever does have a problem with my work ethic she’ll let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/50 "2011-07-28T12:15:40Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > I notice by get very defensive when I say this. One can be addicted to the internet. I get the strong feeling many Dopers are. Is there a name for the argument tactic or fallacy, where a person makes an accusation and then any denial of it is used as evidence that the accusation is in fact true? “You’re addicted to the internet.” “No I’m not…” “Hah! If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be so defensive and quick to deny it!” ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/51 "2011-07-28T14:35:15Z")
I also think there are different types of jobs out there. I work in third tier support for a software company. That means I get the questions/problems that other people couldn’t figure out. So, when I am stuck on something, I will browse the dope or read the news. Usually, after a few minutes of turning off my brain, the solution (or at least something that will point to the solution) will come to me out of the fog. I can’t force it. I have a counterpart who will bank her head against a problem when she is stuck instead of letting it marinate. Guess what? She is twice as slow in solving problems as I am. Is it an addition? Only so much as ‘goofing off’ helps me to do my job and I am addicted to having a job, you see. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/52 "2011-07-28T14:36:37Z")
If anything (and it’s a stupid argument either way) having to use the internet when you’re home seems like a better indicator of addiction because there you’re choosing the internet over all sorts of other options. You could go outside, spend time with family, hang out with friends, nut no, you choose the internet. At work my downtime choices are considerably more limited and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to choose the internet instead of counting the ceiling tiles or playing that 3,093rd game of solitaire. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/53 "2011-07-28T16:24:16Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > It is your down time. You should not be using company resources during your down time. Indeed. I recommend leaving the building during break time in the summer so that your body heat does not place any extra strain on the air conditioning. ---
**Author:** ![BDBoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@BDBoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BDBoop)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/54 "2011-07-28T16:32:41Z")
So - should you completely shut down your computer and unplug it, so as to not unnecessarily tax their resources? ---
**Author:** ![Simmerdown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simmerdown/32/14859_2.png) [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/55 "2011-07-28T17:22:30Z")
> [@PandaBear77](#): > > Poor etiquette? As long as it’s not something objectionable, no. If your employer allows personal browsing on breaks, etc., it’s not unethical, either. > \*\* > YaraMateo\*\*, you trippin’. [SIMMAH DOWN NAH!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyIS33m91qU) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/56 "2011-07-29T00:31:19Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > You misread what I wrote. Everyone is claiming they’re right because EVERYONE uses the internet for personal reasons at work. Everyone is RIGHT because you’re weird if you don’t use the internet for work. I.e. I’m not part of the mob, so I’m wrong for not wasting company resources. :rolleyes: Where did “everyone” claim this? I haven’t seen anybody claim that it’s okay to use the internet at work because everyone does so. Most of us had that type of argument refuted effectively by our mothers in elementary school. A point that has been made, and one you might be confused about, is that people are already using the internet to perform their actual work, so using your work equipment to look at a socially acceptable site of personal interest on your break time is not unethical **when your employer does not forbid this type of use**. The claim that daily visits to a web site indicate an addiction to the internet is baffling to me, but as long as you don’t try to write it into legislation that will affect me, hey, enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/57 "2011-07-29T09:09:12Z")
A question for **YaraMateo** : According to your views, if I regularly check news sites online during my work break, I’m addicted to the internet. If I instead read the news in the good old papers (provided by my employer, thus using - gasp - company resources), am I addicted to newspapers? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/58 "2011-07-29T10:11:00Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > I work in third tier support for a software company. That means I get the questions/problems that other people couldn’t figure out. So, when I am stuck on something, I will browse the dope or read the news. Usually, after a few minutes of turning off my brain, the solution (or at least something that will point to the solution) will come to me out of the fog. I can’t force it. … you know, I’m reasonably sure I don’t have a sock… are we cousins? ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/59 "2011-07-29T13:31:34Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > … you know, I’m reasonably sure I don’t have a sock… are we cousins? Given what I know about my cousins the chances of them being here are not good. Glad that I am not the only one who needs to ignore my brain for it to work though (she says while trying not to think about a particular problem). ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479/60 "2011-07-29T14:59:18Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > I work in third tier support for a software company. That means I get the questions/problems that other people couldn’t figure out. So, when I am stuck on something, I will browse the dope or read the news. Usually, after a few minutes of turning off my brain, the solution (or at least something that will point to the solution) will come to me out of the fog. I can’t force it. You phrased this better than I could. I think some diversion helps to keep the brain active. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-browsing-personal-sites-like-the-dope-on-your-break-at-work-poor-etiquette/590479.md?page=4)