# Things you've been surprised you've had to explain at work
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 13, 2021, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959 "2021-05-13T02:42:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/61 "2021-05-13T15:32:21Z")
> [@Sine\_Nomine](#):
>
> > [@epbrown](#):
> >
> > They were so psyched about using Control-V and Control-C, and kept calling out new ones they discovered in menus.
>
> Aw, that’s sort of cute!
I’m still blowing people’s minds with Ctrl-K.
---
### Author:  [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/62 "2021-05-13T15:35:02Z")
> [@wguy123](#):
>
> Right-tighty is open to interpretation at times.
It can be damned confusing to a person who is reaching up over his head to loosen a bolt he can’t see. I was working with someone who made this mistake. Only after he waled on it with all his might for some time did I figure out he had the ratchet set wrong.
---
### Author:  [@Mirtha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirtha)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/63 "2021-05-13T15:39:10Z")
All the computer posts are pretty helpful to me - I didn’t know where files were automagically stored, those keyboard short cuts and what excel is capable of. The left and right concept, I understand well but I turn on the wrong stove burner at home because my mind is back at my job in medicine (where left and right of the body is the body itself not standing in front of it.)
---
### Author:  [@RollOutTheBarrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RollOutTheBarrel)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/64 "2021-05-13T15:45:49Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#):
>
> It can be damned confusing to a person who is reaching up over his head to loosen a bolt he can’t see.
I was a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force and in tech school out instructor taught us the snap trick for when you get confused about which way you should be turning a wrench. Position your fingers as if you’re about to snap, point your fingers at the bolt, and then snap. If you are using your right hand, your fingers will move in a similar way to how they would move if you were tightening a bolt. The reverse is true for your left hand.
---
### Author:  [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/65 "2021-05-13T15:51:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#):
>
> I had an employee who did not understand the thermostat.
Or if they “understand” it, in the manner of “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” kind of way. If it’s hot, they set the thermostat to an absurdly low temperature well below even the lower end of what’s considered “room temperature”, or if they’re too cold, they set it to a very high setting well above room temperature.
My efforts at trying to explain it to them are met with skepticism:
“_Look, set it to the temperature you want the room to be. When you select the temperature, that’s not the temperature of the air the heat ( or air conditioning ) puts out. It’ll make the warmest ( or coldest ) air it can until it reaches the set temperature of the room and cycle on/off to keep it there_”
“_But I’m hot ( or cold )_” ( Bangs head )
---
### Author:  [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/66 "2021-05-13T15:52:02Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#):
>
> It can be damned confusing to a person who is reaching up over his head to loosen a bolt he can’t see.
I have some experience with home/auto repair and I can only do this right with my eyes closed.
I also have problems with left and right. I can remember when I had to image writing and knowing that was my right hand. I’ve always been right-handed although, like another poster, I played hockey left-handed for some reason. Actually pretty ambidextrous with a hockey stick.
The scene from Full Metal Jacket makes me want to cry.
> [@](#):
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): [calling out to platoon] Left shoulder, hut!
>
> [Pyle accidentally puts his rifle on his right shoulder, then corrects quickly, but not before Hartman sees it. He walks up on him]
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): Private Pyle, what are you trying to do to my beloved Corps?
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): Sir, I don’t know, sir!
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): You are dumb, Private Pyle, but do you expect me to believe that you don’t know left from right?
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): Sir, no, sir!
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): Then you did that on purpose! You wanna be different!
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): Sir, no, sir!
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): [slaps Pyle hard on the left hand side of his face] What side was that, Private Pyle?
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): Sir, left side, sir!
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): [shouts] Are you sure, Private Pyle?
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): Sir, yes, sir!
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): [slaps him hard again, this time on right side of his face, knocking his hat off; shouts] What side was that, Private Pyle?
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): [nearly in tears] Sir, right side, sir!
>
> [Gunnery Sergeant Hartman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000388/?ref_=tt_ch): Don’t fuck with me again, Pyle! Pick up your fuckin’ cover!
>
> [Private Gomer Pyle](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/?ref_=tt_ch): Sir, yes, sir!
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/67 "2021-05-13T16:00:06Z")
> [@DesertDog](#):
>
> I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve muttered to myself, “Watch hand,” or “Non-watch hand,” when I’m reaching for something.
I believe the correct terms are “driver seat” and “passenger seat”.
---
### Author:  [@its\_the\_daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its_the_daddy)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/68 "2021-05-13T16:24:51Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> I believe the correct terms are “driver seat” and “passenger seat”.
Only correct in _some_ countries!
---
### Author:  [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/69 "2021-05-13T16:39:59Z")
> [@digs](#):
>
> I watched a coworker explain to a new guy (who was not stupid in other areas) how to read a ruler.
>
> “This is a quarter-inch, so this is an eighth of an inch…”
> _“Wait, an eighth of an inch is LESS than a quarter of an inch?”_
> …long sigh…
>
> .
>
> > [@RollOutTheBarrel](#):
> >
> > He had a lot of issues and was kicked out for “failure to adapt to military life”
>
> Can we kick people out of civilian life for failing to adapt?
Yes, it’s called “jail”.
---
### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/70 "2021-05-13T16:41:29Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#):
>
> Interesting, I’ve never heard this before. Do you have any more information on this? I’m cross-dominant (left-footed and right-handed).
I’ve seen articles about it from time to time, but a quick google last night didn’t bring any of them up.
---
### Author:  [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/71 "2021-05-13T16:44:27Z")
It’s pretty impressive how quickly information becomes “ancient lore.” My nieces and nephews likely have no idea what www means, or ftp. On “Kids React” they played an instructional video from the 90s on using the internet; multiple kidswere surprised to learn what .com meant.
And if you want to blow minds - Ctrl+Z freaks people out.
---
### Author:  [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/72 "2021-05-13T16:45:49Z")
> [@epbrown](#):
>
> And if you want to blow minds - Ctrl+Z freaks people out.
Time travel!
---
### Author:  [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/73 "2021-05-13T16:48:25Z")
The look I got, I’m glad they no longer burn witches.
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/74 "2021-05-13T16:49:45Z")
> [@its\_the\_daddy](#):
>
> > [@Little\_Nemo](#):
> >
> > I believe the correct terms are “driver seat” and “passenger seat”.
>
> Only correct in _some_ countries!
I’ve heard the stories about places like Britain, Australia, and Japan where people supposedly drive their cars on the left side of the road. These are obviously myths. Think about it. All these places are islands. How would any cars get there? These places have no cars and the locals just make up stories about driving so they don’t feel inferior to us. But their lack of actual experience in driving is shown by their belief that cars can be operated on the left side of the road, which is just nonsense.
---
### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/75 "2021-05-13T16:52:02Z")
Being older than the hills I know some tricks to use in some software that haven’t been seen in years. Laughing about this with another old colleague I demonstrated people’s reaction to seeing me invoke and use an old style line editor by recoiling and making a cross with my fingers as if they had seen a vampire.
---
### Author:  [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/76 "2021-05-13T16:53:18Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#):
>
> If you are turning a knob to the right, then the top of the knob goes from left to right, but the bottom of the knob is actually going from right to left.
Only tangentially-related, but my conceptual problem is with wind direction. I plan long bike rides, and need to know if the wind will change (and whether I’ll suddenly be pedaling uphill into a 20 mph wind).
So the forecast says “NE 15mph”. But the wind is really blowing SW. If I’m biking in a SW direction, I’m going _with_ the wind (that they call “NE”).
I have to say “FROM THE” before the direction. Every time. You think it’d be second nature by now, but no. I feel like those people who still do a trick to figure out Left and Right.
---
### Author:  [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/77 "2021-05-13T16:54:24Z")
As a long time IT guy, I know very well that most people who work with computers barely know what they’re doing, so I’m not surprised anymore. Some examples:
(this I have mentioned before on this board): “My internet is down” can mean anything from a loose cable, over someone not knowing how to open their browser up to global thermonuclear war.
Q: “What’s your browser?”
A: “Google.”
Q: “Where did you save the file?”
A: “In Word.”
And the many, many people, probably the majority of users, who think that Excel is a program to lay out nice static lists to print out.
---
### Author:  [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/78 "2021-05-13T17:01:13Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> Left-right confusion is an actual condition. It can be related to differences in brain structures, as outlined in this article:
> …
> There’s also some evidence that it’s related to left-handedness, and to cross-dominance.
I have this and it’s embarrassing if I get caught making an “L” with my index finger and thumb to know which is left. I am ambidextrous.
---
### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/79 "2021-05-13T17:02:32Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#):
>
> - The left-to-right thing: this confuses the hell out of me. I know the difference between left and right, that never confuses me. But saying to turn something to the right does. If you are turning a knob to the right, then the top of the knob goes from left to right, but the bottom of the knob is actually going from right to left. If you place your hand on something and turn it to the right, your fingers are going left to right, but your palm is going right to left. So that righty-tighty, left-loosy thing has never helped me much. Clockwise and counter-clockwise is a much easier point of reference for me.
When I was a wee tyke, I was helping my father do some gardening. I was near the house, and he yelled to me to turn on the water. When he saw me looking confused, he added, “Just turn it to the right.” I noticed that if the top of the spigot was turned right, the bottom was turned left. There was no way to turn it so that the entire spigot was turned right. My father bounded toward the house, yelling, “I have to do every goddamned thing myself around here!”
---
### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959/80 "2021-05-13T17:06:12Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#):
>
> I have this and it’s embarrassing if I get caught making an “L” with my index finger and thumb to know which is left.
The woman I know who makes the “L” first did it in front of me when she was driving us somewhere. I said, “make a left here” and she held up both of her hands and traced the left “L” with her right index finger. She saw me staring and explained.
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959.md?page=3)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-youve-been-surprised-youve-had-to-explain-at-work/941959.md?page=5)