Why do so many I.T. professionals come across as condescending

[nitro28]

I am not trying to start a flaming session here just a good discussion hopefully. I have 3 people in my family in the I.T. field and I have had many experiences over the years with different levels of I.T. professionals. I always here from friends and coworkers that they feel like most of the I.T. guys belittle them and treat them as if they know nothing about computers or really anything technical. Why does this seem to happen so often in this field? Would it possibly be because it takes a very specific personality type to excel at a job in I.T.? Or is it possible that they do not realize this is the way they are being perceived?

Again, I am not saying that every I.T. person is this way, there are many great individuals who do not fall in this category. Since there is a nice mix of careers on this website, I just wanted to hear from everyone else.

 

[gamepad]

Because it's they have low self esteem?

 

[slsmnaz]

because you're stupid

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Users are stupid /thread

 

[OdiN]

I'm in IT and have seen lots and lots. I don't treat anyone poorly, but I've seen people who deserve it lol.

There was one person a while back who I asked to close Microsoft Word (needed to update some shared template resources on the server). This is what she did:

1. Click on the "x" to close Word.

2. A dialog came up asking if she wanted to save the document.

3. Clicks on "yes".

4. Save dialog comes up.

5. Clicks on "x" to close the dialog.

6. Stares at screen for a few seconds.

7. Repeats this process about 10 times.

 

[MrPickins]

The problem is, a lot of people that think they know about computers only know enough to make themselves dangerous.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
because you're stupid

LOL

 

[JulesMaximus]

Because they think they're always right.

 

[GeekDrew]

/me wrote a long response and decided not to post it. Yes, I could be considered a condescending asshole. Bite me.

 

[videogames101]

Many times they deserve it....

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: classy

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
because you're stupid

LOL

Pretty much.

 

[Tweak155]

My boss gave me a good review but told me I sound condescending... she gave me a raise.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I think it's because in IT Support (which is the public face of IT, and what non-IT people see as "IT") you fix other peoples problems all day and after a while you do get a bit jaded and just want to get the job done asap. Not an excuse at all, just a reason perhaps.

Either that or many people that work in IT Support are socially inept virgins.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
The problem is, a lot of people that think they know about computers only know enough to make themselves dangerous.

In true reality, this is a true statement. I have worked in 3 networks, one with 13000 users, 3000 users, and now I am desktop/sys admin with 600-700 users. And I have been working on desktop pcs for 10 years and been working in IT solely the last 4. And despite my background, education, and experience I have had people who read a couple things on the internet actually get nasty when you try to teach or explain something to them. I don't think IT folks are any more condescending then any other professional, but we deal with more frustration probably more then most professionals. Example one day I was repairing an OS with recovery console and this person was standing next to me. He says your doing a reinstall I see, I said no, this is recovery console and I am attempting to repair the os. This idiot looks at me all nasty and says oh that is just the same thing. I just laughed in his face and needless to say he was little upset with me.

 

[nitro28]

I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve. Everyone's skills fall in different areas. An I.T. guy, for example, may not perform well in a sales role because he or she does not possess the right skill set for this. Does this mean that someone on the sales team should treat them poorly because of this? No, so why the reverse?

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: nitro28
I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve.

I think you would get a different response if you tried to tell the doc how to do it.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: nitro28
I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve. Everyone's skills fall in different areas. An I.T. guy, for example, may not perform well in a sales role because he or she does not possess the right skill set for this. Does this mean that someone on the sales team should treat them poorly because of this? No, so why the reverse?

Because users are stupid. This was already covered. Please pay attention.

 

[BRObedoza]

MOOOOOVE!

 

[I Saw OJ]

Because lots of times people who use computers on a daily basis for their job or whatever, feel they have no obligation to learn even the most rudimentary computer skills. You dont wanna learn how to use a compter? Then you get treated like a bonehead.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Originally posted by: nitro28
I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve. Everyone's skills fall in different areas. An I.T. guy, for example, may not perform well in a sales role because he or she does not possess the right skill set for this. Does this mean that someone on the sales team should treat them poorly because of this? No, so why the reverse?

Yeah, but what would the doc say if you told them how to do their job? I agree that some IT people are downright rude, but that goes for Sales people too. Or marketing...or anywhere else for that matter.

I don't think it's unique to IT at all.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: sleepmachine
MOOOOOVE!

lol great sketch.

 

[nitro28]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz

Originally posted by: nitro28
I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve.

I think you would get a different response if you tried to tell the doc how to do it.

Agreed. So is this where the animosity comes from and does it then spread to others?

 

[ultimatebob]

Nothing personal, but after fixing computer problems for 45-50 hours a week at work you don't find yourself all that eager to fix computer problems for free on your off hours for friends and family.

Sorry if that comes off as rude, but we're trying to enjoy our time off as well.

 

[nitro28]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

Originally posted by: nitro28
I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve. Everyone's skills fall in different areas. An I.T. guy, for example, may not perform well in a sales role because he or she does not possess the right skill set for this. Does this mean that someone on the sales team should treat them poorly because of this? No, so why the reverse?

Yeah, but what would the doc say if you told them how to do their job? I agree that some IT people are downright rude, but that goes for Sales people too. Or marketing...or anywhere else for that matter.

I don't think it's unique to IT at all.

This is interesting, so do the IT guys or girls on here feel that the others they deal with at work (ie. sales, marketing etc) are condescending towards them to the same degree?

 

[StinkyPinky]

Originally posted by: nitro28

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky

Originally posted by: nitro28
I don't disagree with this at all, but why belittle them? When you go to the doctor for example, they generally don't treat you like an idiot because you can't replace a heart valve. Everyone's skills fall in different areas. An I.T. guy, for example, may not perform well in a sales role because he or she does not possess the right skill set for this. Does this mean that someone on the sales team should treat them poorly because of this? No, so why the reverse?

Yeah, but what would the doc say if you told them how to do their job? I agree that some IT people are downright rude, but that goes for Sales people too. Or marketing...or anywhere else for that matter.

I don't think it's unique to IT at all.

This is interesting, so do the IT guys or girls on here feel that the others they deal with at work (ie. sales, marketing etc) are condescending towards them to the same degree?

Actually, where I work the marketing dept is really great. HR are a bunch of rude assholes though.