"Question- Spider Monkey- Tail Weakness"

[heathpack]

The subject line of a (totally legit) email I got at work today.

For some reason, struck me as uniquely amusing. That was one profession-specific email.

I'm sure there are a lot of jobs that generate emails like this. What kind of emails do volcanologists get, or ship captains, or opera singers?



H

 

[pjrose]

Not to take something serious lightly, but professors frequently get emails about grandmothers who are dying / just died, and strangely, the grandmothers seem to be dying just the same day as an exam! Must be the stress of worrying about their grandchild doing well.

(Actually the relationship between grandmothers dying and grandchild having an exam is spurious; grandmothers die at other times, but professors only get emails about it when there's an exam)

Also, the night before a paper is due, we get emails that the computer ate the paper, and of course there wasn't a backup. Computers don't eat papers at other times (likely because computers aren't working on papers at other times).

And while I'm talking about papers...there is actually an online site (perhaps more than one) that will scramble a paper, so that students can turn in the "paper" via email, but the file won't open. Since we know it was turned in on time, the student has another day or so to "fix" the paper and send an uncorrupted copy.

 

[DeniseM]

Also, the night before a paper is due, we get emails that the computer ate the paper, and of course there wasn't a backup. Computers don't eat papers at other times (likely because computers aren't working on papers at other times).

I am convinced this is true - the only time I have printer problems is when I desperately need to print something. It has been the death of many printers!

Recently I told my college age son - don't wait until the morning it's due to print your paper - he did and sure enough - printer crashed!

 

[pjrose]

I am convinced this is true - the only time I have printer problems is when I desperately need to print something. It has been the death of many printers!

Recently I told my college age son - don't wait until the morning it's due to print your paper - he did and sure enough - printer crashed!

I sympathize, it's happened to all of us!

 

[DaveNV]

I'm curious to know what sort of work you do that would generate a "profession-specific email" about spider monkeys with weak tails?

I work in IT support at a hospital. The only "spam" I get are desperate cries for help from users who are having some sort of melt-down because their computer is acting up. Sometimes.

Yesterday's example: A hysterical phone call late in the day from a high-maintenance nurse who was freaking because the printer she uses is broken and needs relacement! "Oh no! Dave, come quick!" So I go to her office to check things out. The printer is attached to a computer in a doctor's office adjacent to her work area. "Yes, Dave, of course the printer is plugged in and turned on. I checked to make sure it has paper and everything. It worked fine yesterday, but it's been down all day today. It's just broken and you need to replace it!" Much hand-wringing ensues.

"Hmm," I say, in a properly thoughtful voice, surveying the situation. And then I make sure she's watching closely as I reach over and turn on the computer the printer is attached to. She turned about sixteen shades of red, as the lightbulb goes on in her head. Turning to leave, I smile and say, "Call me anytime."

Sometimes I love my job.

Dave

The subject line of a (totally legit) email I got at work today.

For some reason, struck me as uniquely amusing. That was one profession-specific email.

I'm sure there are a lot of jobs that generate emails like this. What kind of emails do volcanologists get, or ship captains, or opera singers?



H

 

[Talent312]

Sometime ago, I found that attempts at office humor can be dangerous.

At our downtown office, parking is severely limited and individually assigned.
Whenever a spot in the downtown lot was "sublet" to another employee, an
admin assistant would broadcast the transaction to everyone.

Those of us in the hinterlands with open parking, found these e-mails annoying.
As a joke, I once replied that I'd use a colleague's spot in our lot (not that he cared).

Unfortunately, the assistant was not amused: "Laugh it up, fuzzball." -- Star Wars.
"I can put you on the bottom of the list for pay raises."

 

[SueDonJ]

I can't believe I'm worrying about that poor Spider Monkey's tail - is s/he okay?!

My client emails are sometimes sent on to the spam folder because of the subject line info. What would you expect if you saw, "Suggestion for breast support?" or, "Can you see through this fabric?" Valid questions for a bridal gown!

 

[heathpack]

I am a veterinarian, specialist in neurology. The email was from another veterinarian, specialist in zoo medicine. Sometimes zoo vets call in other specialists to help out with a case if it is beyond their expertise.

H

 

[klpca]

I work in accounting and a long time ago when I did tax work a friend asked me what the depreciable life of a breeding rabbit would be. Have to say that one was a first.