Work stuff...or; WHY are people SO unhelpful? Or, even better, How To Be A Nicer Person.

Life has been extraordinarily crazy at work lately.  I mean CRAZY.  Crazy to the point that it seems to be the only conversation that I am capable of lately; much to my family's chagrin.  Crazy to the point that it seems to be the only thoughts that I have.  Crazy to the point that seems it seems to be invading my dreams.  This is a major problem because I don't usually HAVE dreams; or if I do, I never remember them.

That may partially explain why it is SO dusty around here lately...partially.

But today?  What happened today needed to be mentioned.

I received a call from the Finance Department today.  I was informed that "the letter" that NEEDED to be delivered ASAP is floating around in the United States Postal Office somewhere.  Or, more likely, floating around the immense company that it was sent to; who knows.  The person on the other end of the line told me that she'd called the immense company to find out the status of the letter.  Somehow, miracle of miracles, she actually touched based with a direct report of the person the letter was directed to.  She mentioned that this person informed her that his boss is actually located in London and not New York (which was where the letter was sent).

Did this person offer up an email address (his boss' or his)?  No.  Did this person offer up a physical address in London - of which this company has several?  No.  Did this person even offer up that the letter should be sent to him and that he would forward it?  No.

WHY?!

I get not giving out email addresses; I really, really do.  I don't give out the email addresses of ANYONE I work with...period.  But if someone had called me with this dilemma I would have at least given the correct mailing address.  Particularly knowing WHY this letter had to be delivered.

This is not the only instance where people aren't helpful...particularly lately.  And I want it to go on record that I am VEHEMENTLY opposed to this trend.

If you know how to assist the person asking for help; do it.  Is that SO very difficult?  No.

This type of attitude is so very pervasive in today's society (think about customer service.  Have you been on the receiving end of GOOD customer service lately?  If so, write the company and tell them what a good job they are doing.  If not, write the company and tell them how much they suck...they can't improve if they don't know what they are doing wrong)  and it needs to stop.

Not just because *I* am being inconvenienced but because it's the right thing to do.

So, being me, I Googled the company, gave my co-worker a link with all the London addresses/phone numbers and advised her to call one.  Maybe the person she talked to could direct her where to send the letter.

After this (latest event) here are my rules for the world.

1.  Help where you can help.  You don't have to give up the keys to the kingdom, but if you can assist the person on the other end of the line; do so.

2.  If you can't help - be willing to listen to the other person's complaint.  Ninety-nine percent of the time that's all they want...to have someone listen.

3.  Be nice.

4.  Think of other people.  Certainly, there have been times when you've needed help.  Think about what you appreciate the most...odds are good what you appreciate the most is the people who respond.  When you send an email asking for help with X, Y, and Z and the person responds either immediately with the information OR saying, I'll be glad to help but I it might take me some time to respond...and then they actually respond with the information you requested.  Seriously, how hard is that?  OR they respond telling you that they can't help, but So And So can surely help.

5.  Again...just be nice.  And willing to go that extra mile.  Really, it doesn't take that much of your time.