What is your favourite go-to response when a user states "but I'm not tech savvy"?
Posted by FluffyMumbles@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 255 comments
Usually to something daft like not not knowing when to use their new password, or not reading the prompt before smashing the OK button.
I usually use "...no, but you can read, right?" or "but you've been using computers for 20 years now!" when I've lost all patience. But I'm running out of fresh material.
Let me hear yours, please.
Rodyadostoevsky@reddit
I would rather deal with people who say they are not tech savvy than the ones who think they are.
Affectionate_Ad_3722@reddit
But the ones who say they are "not tech savvy" are generally lying because they can't be arsed to do the basic part of their job.
We're not asking them to reconfigure the firewalls, just remember to press ctrl-p to print. As they did yesterday.
natefrogg1@reddit
95% of my users will not ctrl+p/cmd+p, they will click every time on most everything rather than learn witchcraft such as keyboard shortcuts
DrNighn@reddit
Ctrl+shift+t is my favorite personally. Especially with the users that never close browser windows.
scubajay2001@reddit
I like windows key + D to really freak them out (or L) lol
YellowYarrowYucca@reddit
Omg there was an update at work once that greyed out the Right Click > Paste and help desk was overwhelmed with idiots that couldn't Ctrl+P and it quickly became labelled as an outage.
Interviews should require people to demonstrate how they copy and paste before hiring anyone.
gonenutsbrb@reddit
Ironically I think you mean Ctrl+V
Happens to the best of us ;-)
YellowYarrowYucca@reddit
Lol yeah had ctrlP on the brain but God dammit I would Ctrl+the whole fucking alphabet before I'd right click paste
gonenutsbrb@reddit
Oh absolutely. Every time I watch someone do it my eye twitches slightly…
Marty_McFlay@reddit
I have been told in the role I'm currently interviewing for that a large part of my job will be helping users with the mouse. Industrial process software and the org recently upgraded from a purpose built non-x86 OS to windows with a gui. They are having trouble adjusting to using a mouse, and icons.
Business_Class_8015@reddit
We still have some of that software. It’s amazing how quick you can navigate it with just the keyboard. The new web based one is so much slower to do the same task, yeah it’s a little bit more pretty, but also the operators don’t need the fancy graphs and what not, they are for management.
Marty_McFlay@reddit
Yeah I respect how quickly super old software on purpose built OS can run. Not much memory, doesn't need to talk "out" to anything, is expecting only a certain pattern of clicks.
Affectionate_Ad_3722@reddit
Way back in the day, we gave the factory guys windows machines and left the games on them. Solitaire is excellent for teaching mouse movements inc. click & drag
mineral_minion@reddit
Minesweeper taught left click vs right click pretty well too
YellowYarrowYucca@reddit
Submitting tickets because they want an Excel formula added to a sheet when their department is in Data Science and Analytics and are supposed to be Excel masters.
RikiWardOG@reddit
This is the shit that drives me crazy. They do it because they're too embarrassed and are trying to save face with their team instead of learning and taking accountability
RabidTaquito@reddit
lmao. I just add their coworker or manager to the ticket then pretend to be stumped and ask directly in the ticket if they can help .
seeeee@reddit
lol PLEASE call about your issue and allow IT to properly diagnose and resolve before asking someone “more tech savvy”
I would 100% prefer to teach someone where to point and click than have people coming up with some wild workarounds and shadow IT Power Automate workflows
brundlfly@reddit
...and then when it breaks, they expect you to decipher their hot mess and debug it.
Step-Sysadmin@reddit
😂😂😂
stormborn9811@reddit
100%
CrankyHankyPanky@reddit
Talking down to the person you're helping is an L move.
The reason you have a job is because people like them exist. If someone hit's me with that not tech savvy line, I usually say "Well it's a good thing I am then!"
But yea, don't belittle people. It's not cool.
CanWeTalkEth@reddit
I recently got my first real IT job and mentioned to my coworkers that I felt bad because so many of the problems I fix feel like I’m just someone with an admin password standing in the way of them doing their job.
They kindly reassured me that no, these people will break their machines in new and astounding ways, and wouldn’t know how to reconnect their Wi-Fi or install a printer driver anyway.
Being helpful and getting known for being friendly and solving problems is my whole job right now.
zed7567@reddit
Yea, had that strife, then someone catastrophically messed up a machine that had very special software attached to some special equipment that we needed back online ASAP. It took 3 months and even the vendor for that equipment was stumped. We figured it out eventually, but they caused that by trying to... connect a printer. Just contact IT, I'll get that setup in a reliable way in minutes. MINUTES, but noooooo, ruin everyone's workload for months because the previous dunce that had my role never did jack.
deefop@reddit
Nah disagree, I'm over this exact shit.
Well, I should clarify that keeping it professional is always the right call. But I'm sick and tired of hearing users pretend that tech incompetence means other people will do their jobs for them.
Computers have been commonplace in the business world for as long as I've been alive. I'm 37. There's no longer any excuse to be useless with computers. It's akin to saying "I'm not really much of a reader", as if the ability to read and write isn't expected for literally every white collar job that exists.
QuantumRiff@reddit
Hey accounting. Can you send a CPA to my desk? I’m about to work on next years’ budget request, and I am not good with “math”…
Ballbag94@reddit
This is exactly it
Everyone here acting like it's appropriate for users to not be "tech savvy" is talking like we're expecting them to reimage the OS or build a PC from scratch rather than simply knowing how to use a computer. I really don't understand how they give it a pass
If a chef couldn't use a stove and called a stove maker for help using it with the excuse of "I'm not stove savvy" I doubt people would be saying that it's fine they don't know how to use the basic tools of their job because their job is to cook food rather than know the magic behind how stoves turn gas into fire
ContributionNo9292@reddit
I have bad news for you, you will be getting more and more of the tech-illiterate colleagues in the coming years.
Can it be frustrating sure, but I will never talk down to someone asking for my help. Even if something is extremely easy to solve, I will sometimes exaggerate the difficulty to make sure they don’t feel stupid.
Their job is very specific, solving tech issues isn’t part of the description and it isn’t productive for them to waste time getting proficient at solving various system issues.
I help my users in my system, but for general IT problems I still go to the service desk if a short troubleshoot doesn’t solve it. Could I solve it, sure, but my salary is probably 3-4 times what they make at the service desk and my boss isn’t paying me do general IT issues. Plus servicedesk can solve it faster, win-win.
My job is to make sure the system runs and that the users can work effectively. Being condescending achieves neither.
Ballbag94@reddit
I mean, this doesn't change my initial statement. It's not our job to teach people how to use computers
For sure, but not talking down to someone doesn't mean their lack of knowledge is acceptable
Like, if an adult asks for help tying their shoes I won't treat them like a moron but that doesn't mean it's my job to show them
I'm not advocating for that though, and I don't think anyone is, I'm saying that the absolute bare minimum is that a user knows how to use the basics of the tool they use for 40 hours a week and has existed in its current format for around 25 years
I expect a user to be able to turn a PC on, use a Web browser, take screenshots, use the software required by their job, and have the capacity to learn new things if those pieces of software change. It's not acceptable to ask IT how to join a teams call or navigate a web browser because they're "not tech savvy". I'm not a mechanic but I can check the oil in my car and change the bulbs because those are basic user functions
Again, I'm not advocating for being condescending, I'm simply saying that coddling the users solves nothing. If someone doesn't know what a web browser is or how to email over the url of a web page they're having trouble with it isn't helping anyone to make them feel as if these are difficult things and it's ok they don't know about them, it just makes them feel as though they don't need to address their lack of basic knowledge
NotPennysBoat721@reddit
You keep saying how certain scenarios aren't acceptable. Who decides what's acceptable? You? Their manager? Your director? The CEO? What's "acceptable" is subjective and varies by organization. Different orgs have different expectations of support teams, and just because you decided people are required to know things for their job doesn't make it so. That isn't your decision.
Ballbag94@reddit
The benchmark for acceptable is whether or not something is broken or the user just doesn't know how to use the tools for their job. If a carpenter has a broken hammer then they should ask a smith to fix it, if a carpenter doesn't know how to nail two planks of wood together it isn't the smith's problem
If I tell a user to go to a web browser and click a button and they don't know how to do that then it isn't acceptable no matter who's telling me that it is. If a director told me that it was acceptable for a user not to know a basic function of using a computer I would let them know exactly why I believe their assessment is incorrect
If I worked for an organisation that believed it was the job of IT to tell people how to perform the basic functions of using a computer I would quit. Our job is to fix problems, not provide remedial lessons
I'm not "deciding" that people are required to know things for their job, I'm stating that if someones job requires a computer then the basics of navigating and using a computer is a requirement for their job in exactly the same way that if someone's job is driving then a prerequisite for that is to know how to turn the vehicle on and use the instruments
Those things logically follow, that's just how it is based on the fact that someone doing a job should know how to do it within their department
Again, not a decision but a statement of fact based on how things work
Are you legitimately trying to argue that if someone's job requires them to use a computer that it would be acceptable for them not to know how to open a standard program and perform a basic action in that program?
NotPennysBoat721@reddit
You are absolutely not cut out for IT support 🤣
th3n3w3ston3@reddit
If you want to spend your time showing the same people how to do the same basic computer tasks repeatedly, that's fine. We'll just send all those users to you so the rest of us can focus on fixing the actual problems.
Everyone's happy!
deefop@reddit
Based on what? I agree with most of what the above comment said, though I'm long past my end user support days, at least in terms of core job duties.
Ballbag94@reddit
If you think that IT support is simply about doing anything asked of you by a user then I'm assuming you either don't care about wasting time, you enjoy having your time wasted, or you're new
Luckily I don't do a whole lot of support nowadays but I had a very successful 6.5 years on a service desk before pivoting to software development and now to a role where I have to do everything IT related
Having a job isn't just about doing what you're told to do, it's also about making recommendations based on your knowledge and it's absolutely acceptable to voice your opinion in a constructive way if you believe someone is wrong regardless of who that someone is
LouRG3@reddit
Would you hire a carpenter that doesn't know how to use a hammer? How is that different to a knowledge worker using a computer?
Triairius@reddit
It’s not our job to teach people how to use computers, but taking on the task makes our jobs easier… depending on the user.
blofly@reddit
Correct. Achieving the Zen balance of kindness, patience, and assertiveness is the keystone for many aspect of relationships in life.
That it relates to tech support is no different than any of other relationships. If you want to build relationships at your work, you use the same principles.
natflingdull@reddit
Yeah, always keep it professional but I refuse to accept an excuse like “Im not tech savvy” for basic computer operation, which includes opening CMD/PS and copying and pasting a command I send in chat.
Pretty much no job outside of actually being a mechanic, automotive engineer, or locomotive engineer requires you to know how a car or train works or how to Fix even minor issues. Most jobs do expect you know how to drive or hop on a train.
ITguydoingITthings@reddit
Agreed. Been in the industry since 1996, and i typically hear this from people who throw it out as an excuse for not learning even the most basic things.
Example, though this person didn't actually use that phrase: last week a ticket was submitted. Here's the pertinent part of the ticket:
Me: Has the system been Restarted?
User: I turned the computer off and then restarted.
Me: Not a Shutdown, but a Restart.
User: Just restarted it when I saw that things weren’t right when I got here. Nothing shut down on the server [which hadn't entered into the conversation, because it didn't yet play a part].
Me: Your previous reply mentioned shutting down and starting back up. If that's what was done, that's not a Restart and doesn't refresh things the same.
User: Ok, do you want me to shut everything down and restart?
Me: No. I want you, on your system, to do a Restart. Not a Shutdown and start again.
User: Just to verify, on my desktop, shut down and wait a few minutes and restart?
Me: No. Not a Shutdown. A Restart. See image for what they look like. [sent image with the icons].
User: Ok, did it, no change.
Me: [remote agent showing uptime of about 2 hours at this point, so kind of gave up and asked for more info about what apps were affected].
At some point, people need to know some basic standard in order to do their jobs, no? We can, and sometimes should, professionally make that point.
angrydeuce@reddit
Its insane that this needs to be explained, but here we are.
This is the basic, "being human" shit that we often end up not extending offers to interns (and in a couple cases, let people go) over. We can teach the technical shit to almost anyone, but if they dont know how to talk to a person in a human way, theyre gone...thats a skill they should already have by the time theyre here, and not one were going to spend time training them on...the technical aspects take enough time as it is.
Sure, its frustrating, but thats life...life is full of these frustrations. If you cant handle them thats fine but this line of work probably aint for you, then...this aint the 90s where you could be secure in an IT job just being the random neckbeard in the basement that nobody has any clue what theyre doing or cares how much of an ass they are to their colleagues. These days you need to be part of a team, and being part of a team means being human.
I ran into this a lot when I was in college, people that figured IT meant they would just be farting around with servers all day and not ever have to deal with those trifling things like politeness or empathy. These were also the same people that struggled to find work post graduation when they discovered that people are involved after all.
Anyways, vent to your colleagues, bitch on reddit, we all do it...but if youre lashing out at your coworkers over minor IT shit, youre not gonna last long.
jaredearle@reddit
This is correct. If you have soft skills, you have a future.
noxurget@reddit
The world is getting worse precisely because we don't shame people. Keep coddling the people who feel pain whenever they're forced to think, I'm sure that'll fix things 🙄
judicatorprime@reddit
there is a ton of shame spread around the world, and it hasn't made anything better. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/longing-for-nostalgia/201705/why-shaming-doesnt-work
vermyx@reddit
Theres a difference between bein empathetic and being a dick. Your response is "being a dick is ok" and may be a reason if your staff doesn't come to you with little issues that become big issues
ljr55555@reddit
This is exactly why I've advanced in my career. I started as desktop support, and I NEVER belittled a user no matter how silly the problem was.
Any time I am tempted to, I remember that I've done things seem stupid to someone more knowledgeable in the field. I was a vegan for decades. I remember the first time my dad was coming to visit, and I was staring at the huge variety of beef available having no idea what to do. I just knew my dad liked to grill a nice steak. I'm sure the butcher thought I was pretty ridiculous until I mentioned being a vegan and trying to cook for my dad.
I never had to do any cleaning growing up. Went to Uni and had housekeeping there too. I was like 20 before I lived on my own, and I had no idea how to clean a floor. I asked a nice fellow working at the petrol station because he was in there mopping the floor. Now, I'll absolutely admit this is one of the "cute chick" perks - dude showed me how to mop a floor.
I'm sure there are others, and I'm equally sure everyone has a few times they asked a ridiculous question or had a problem that turned out to be really silly. You know it was silly. You don't need someone making you feel worse about it. Someone who can smile and make you feel less silly stands out a little bit.
Jazzlike-Vacation230@reddit
Yeah but they sure can talk down to us, funny how that works
2c0@reddit
When it's the fifth time this week they are asking the same question and it's only Tuesday I can understand it.
fnordhole@reddit
Sounds like the Help Desk.
TuxAndrew@reddit
When it's the fifth time you should be including their manager on the email chain. Unless it's a C-suite or someone with sway to get you fired you should not be holding their hand.
2c0@reddit
You assume their manager cares. Apparently "That's a training issue, please ask HR to arrange formal training for you subordinates" is not an acceptable response. Well I sure as shit ain't training them.
TuxAndrew@reddit
I don't care if their manager cares or not, once it's been escalated to their manager it's their problem. I'll then forward previous emails and discussions as instructions.
techw1z@reddit
nothing wrong with pointing out dumb behaviour or statements though. it's an important part of doing our job.
just like you would reprimand someone if they keep failing phishing tests. hell I would personally even fire them if they keep screwing up with it.
FearlessAwareness469@reddit
We don't reprimand them for failing. They are put in remedial training progressively getting longer each time. If they fail 5 times in a year, HR is also notified. We don't do averse actions. We document so someone else can.
erock279@reddit
Exactly. I’m not a cop, I do security work but I don’t have the authority to actually make someone do/learn anything. That’s what management and, if necessary HR is for.
Ay0_King@reddit
True.
Vektor0@reddit
Obviously you shouldn't respond rudely. But using "bad with computers" as an excuse to be lazy is also an L move. We do not expect truck drivers to have a car mechanic ride along with them to operate the turn signals because they're not "car savvy," nor should we expect computer operators to contact IT for support every time they need to change their password. There is a baseline level of knowledge you should be expected to have about the tools you use to do your job.
Happy_Kale888@reddit
I agree a lot with this philosophy but they also have to understand the computer/ phone/ tablet or whatever it may be is a required tool to do there job so they should make a effort to learn it. It is one thing to do it for them and another to teach them.
vbpatel@reddit
This is what always gets me. Everyone hates stupid questions, but realistically that’s exactly why they have work to do. I love the tech-unsavvy because their problems are always easy.
Helpdesk and IT in general is as much about politics as it is about technical topics. Just like in life, it’s not what you say it’s how you say it
FluffyMumbles@reddit (OP)
Very fair point. It's hard to get tone across via text, but I certainly don't talk down to people and be mean. They're usually people I know well and get on with, and we laugh about it. Most of the entitled, frustrating ones I tend to just help.and move on with my life.
Bagel-luigi@reddit
"Don't worry, me neither"
zed7567@reddit
I have often said, "me neither, I just have a license to do everything even if it might break it" and I very often just look at them, and go,"And yet, you're far from the worst person I have to work with" they always ask who, but I don't want to tell them. And other times it's "Well, you at least had the knowledge to contact for help before you made things worse, so you're definitely knowledgeable about your limitations, which is, savvy in its own right."
doooglasss@reddit
If it wasn’t for people like you then I wouldn’t have a job- let’s fix it together
threshforever@reddit
I use that or “well I’d feel the same way if i had to do your job, no worries”
nmredtech@reddit
This is my go-to response
technikal@reddit
This, self deprecating humor is always perfect in these situations.
christurnbull@reddit
That's ok, we will work this out together
Natural_Feeling3905@reddit
I just tell them not everyone is tech savvy, that's why I have a job.
I get paid for my time. I'm helpful to the extent people really don't want to bug me because I spend the extra time in helping them with maybe that one or two specific issues they have been having.
joerice1979@reddit
"If computers always worked properly, I couldn't pay my mortage" is one that can get a disarming chuckle.
FgtBruceCockstar2008@reddit
"if computers always worked properly, I couldn't pay my rent." For those of us who can't afford a mortgage.
muklan@reddit
Situational. "Im not computer literate" just means "I will be applying no mental effort in this transaction."
Can also be "I dont know how this works and hope you do."
Valkeyere@reddit
If its the latter, if its a thing their paid to know, I am mot there to teach them how to do their job. We're all adults here and expected to wear our grown up pants. Do a little research not ask me to do the research for you.
If its rhe former, which I rhink it often is, fuck'em.
muklan@reddit
I believe the later in the conversation this happens, the more likely it is to be the second one.
Usual_Ice636@reddit
What I wish I could say "Unfortunately its part of your job requirements to be able to do this"
Nalano@reddit
For most things I'm okay with the user coming to me for tech problems, even if they're really simple. It means the user trusts me and isn't likely to end up being a source of shadow IT in the future.
It's when the user starts going, "please help me with my excel spreadsheet," i.e. "please do my work for me," when I give a hard no. Is excel working? Are its add-ons and dependencies working? Then the rest is up to you, buddy.
WhiskyEchoTango@reddit
I don't mind the Excel questions so much. Usually they're asking about a formula that'll do something specific for them or there's some kind of screw up with the pagination. My Google food is much better than theirs
liquidben@reddit
Oh, no matter what is going on, they never get Excel pagination right.
Acrobatic_Idea_3358@reddit
Mmmm Google food
brundlfly@reddit
Yes! I'm much more likely to help if they can show they've made an effort. Otherwise, you're getting a LinkedIn Learning link.
Triairius@reddit
Yeah, I’ll help when I can.
Depending on the user.
CaneVandas@reddit
Part of it is I'm here to mai twin the tools, not build the house.
Other side is, if it's not getting in the way of my work, we are all on the same team. I've definitely given some more advanced excel pointers to make their jobs easier.
MeatSuzuki@reddit
I said something similar to a new hire once... I was walking through the on-baording checklist, part of which is for them to do as instructed. They kept saying "Oh I'm not computer literate, can you just do it" and after repeated "This is your onbaording process, you have to do this" type responses from me I got the shits and said (paraphrased) "Ok I think that's enough for now, you've demonstrited a lack of desire to do even the most basic tasks here - I'm going to have a work to HR and your manager about this as it seems you've been hired by mistake".
natefrogg1@reddit
I’ve brought up that they have that software listed on their resume, that usually pisses them off pretty well
the_syco@reddit
That's gold
Real-Patriot-1128@reddit
You sit in front of one for 8hrs a day….
sryan2k1@reddit
To the wrong person in the wrong org either of those statements can get you in quite a bit of trouble.
Unless you are this person's direct manager you say something non-confrontational.
"Happens to all of us", "no worries"
jimicus@reddit
I'd actually go a step further:
To someone who isn't tech savvy, the work computer is downright terrifying. Here is a computer that while it's superficially similar to what they may have used before, some things are slightly different in new and unexpected ways. Their manager has been very clear that they are expected to learn to live with this, and "technology problems" will not be accepted as an excuse for poor performance.
And most software - particularly line of business software - is actually pretty terrible when you start to look into it in any detail. It only makes some level of sense if you understood the business backwards and inside out on the day it was first installed - but that was twenty years ago and the only people who understand the business have since been promoted several layers up and don't talk to regular plebs any more - or they retired years ago.
ms6615@reddit
What other industry is this an acceptable excuse? A McDonald’s kitchen employee who can’t figure out how to click through the POS system gets booted out on their ass. An assembly line operator who can’t follow directions to safely operate the machine gets fired or reassigned to different duties. Why are people whose full time job is to use a computer as a tool exempt from the expectation that they learn and understand the tool? This has baffled me since long before I got into this industry.
jimicus@reddit
The checkout fires up and goes straight into the POS software that only presents a very limited interface.
As soon as you make it general purpose, you make it more complex.
AFlyingGideon@reddit
One presumes that someone hired for a non-trivial office job is more capable than a fast food vendor given the pay differential. It is therefore reasonable to have higher expectations.
jimicus@reddit
What I have found in various employers is there's a certain amount of learned helplessness - the more you coddle staff, the more they need coddling.
My current employer mostly operates a self-service model and on the whole it works very well.
AFlyingGideon@reddit
That's certainly true in general. Also feeding this is limiting the tools people can use to solve their own problems... but that's sometimes necessary.
I'm currently dealing with a "developer" who - with help of Claude, naturally - wanted to allocate all available space to the wrong volume. If it were someone else, he'd likely have access to the tools for this. In his case, that would be asking for trouble.
sryan2k1@reddit
Who said anything about office job? Warehouse/factory workers, seasonal outdoor temps, lots of people where computers may rarely if ever get used in their day to day.
ChevronEncoder@reddit
The only difference between the examples you gave and stereotypical end user computers that I give credence to is that your examples are way more static. POS systems, assembly lines, those rarely change and are much less involved usually. While a regular computer has a lot of gui changes and updates.
Ferro_Giconi@reddit
Especially these days with so many subscriptions.
15 years ago, I could teach someone how to do something in MS Office and they would be fine after that. Now, I teach someone how to do something, and then MS decides they need to change a bunch of stuff around for no reason next week, or trick the user into using Outlook (New) causing everything to break.
ChevronEncoder@reddit
Sometimes I wish there was a stripped down Windows OS that was basically just a browser. Forget all the devices, forget all the apps, forget all the hardware that causes problems. Most of our users work out of a browser, and those are the least tech-savvy ones. Just give me effectively a Chromebook that's actually good and cut my support problems in half.
sryan2k1@reddit
You can run kiosk mode
Princess_Fluffypants@reddit
My go to joke is “if all of this stuff actually worked properly, I wouldn’t have a job.”
OwlSpirited6357@reddit
This is the way to live. It costs nothing to be nice.
Jazzlike-Vacation230@reddit
But it's funny right? How even at the IT Manager level they can get you fired just cause you were matter of fact with them? Is this the same for other departments? I doubt it..
genuineshock@reddit
Adding "happens to all of us" to my list!
I like use "That's OK! We'll figure this out and get you back to work!". Managers love that one 🤣
goobernawt@reddit
If you have self help resources available that they clearly didn't reference, a gentle reminder towards those resources for future use can be helpful.
missed_sla@reddit
My default response is "that's what I'm here for" while internally screaming "you've been using a computer since 1995 and remembering your password isn't computer savvy, it's just not being an idiot"
Remember to keep the inside words inside.
TuxAndrew@reddit
Intrusive thoughts
mikeegg1@reddit
Turn around and go away.
DistributionNeat5008@reddit
Did you check if it is turned o?
Grumpy_Ontarian_III@reddit
Anyone can learn.
VALTIELENTINE@reddit
I typically say "That's why I'm here to help"
FU-Lyme-Disease@reddit
I usually say something like “ oh don’t worry I’m sure if you ignore it long enough it will go away. I don’t think computers are here to stay.”
bmullan@reddit
Wait till you call the payroll department about your check being screwed up and recognize the voice and she recognizes you as the IT guy she called yesterday! Karma is a bitch... dude Grow up. What are you being paid for?
No_Lifeguard8951@reddit
That’s ok. I’ll help you learn
darkelf921@reddit
My response to this is always “excellent, you keep me employed 😊”.
Krasnian@reddit
Had a midwife say that to me but also said "but I suppose you know nothing about birthing babies either"
antagonist-ak@reddit
“You don’t need to be tech savvy to understand the basics of your every day tool.”
ManFeelings9000@reddit
Nothing. Its easy work for me and I most definitely do not want to be THAT IT guy. My God it took so long to remove the comic book guy types from IT roles.
PictureFamiliar1267@reddit
“No problem! I don’t understand accounting” (or whatever specialty the end user works in)
cloverdung@reddit
"Me neither."
Pisnaz@reddit
I honestly get fed up with the lame excuse. I point out that computing devices have been common for almost 30 years now and if they can not do the basics, I assume that line about having computer skills was a lie on their application/resume.
If they dare to suggest they can not connect a keyboard or monitor I pull out the old kids toy with shapes and holes and see if they can solve that.
The_Freeholder@reddit
Then explain how you got to be CIO?
serverhorror@reddit
I've dealt with, over the years, by learning their job well enough to explain the tools.
I now make significantly more than those who asked, and those who tried to come up with smart answers. Bonus points: I'm now in a position where "Well, I think we need to up skill that team!" is a valid response and I can turn around and walk away.
chromebaloney@reddit
My go to is to tell them they are more high-tech than they think they are. Somewhere in in the conversation I'll drop that everyone is really good at the things they're really good at and for all my tech know-how I wld flounder doing what they do all day. Which is way accurate.
Oolon42@reddit
"I have my mechanic drive me to work every day because I'm not good with cars."
jaggeddragon@reddit
I usually heard this on the phone, so I'd say:
Well, I'm not a phone person but here we are talking on one!
che-che-chester@reddit
I’m savvy enough for both of us.
eMikey@reddit
"No worries, I'm savvy enough for the both of us"
theislandhomestead@reddit
"Don't tell anyone, but I'm not either. I keep waiting for someone to notice!" And then I usually put my finger up to my lips to do the "shhhh" motion.
OrvilleTheCavalier@reddit
Jeez man. Don’t talk to your users like that. When people say something like “I’m not tech savvy” I usually tell them something like “we all have our specialties and you know WAY more than I do about (person’s job field) than I will ever know.” Sure, sometimes repeating yourself with certain users can get frustrating at times, but if you say something like that to the wrong person, that could be very bad for your current employment.
Peter_Duncan@reddit
Unplug the Ethernet chord and shake the sticky bits out of it. Don’t know which one’s the Ethernet chord? Disconnect each one, shake it, plug it back in. Of that don’t work try the power chord.
binaryhextechdude@reddit
I'm not able to say anything. I have been gifted with a sharp tongue that strikes almost before my mind is engaged. So I have learned to stay silent and just mentally roll my eyes.
-GenlyAI-@reddit
r/shithelpdesksays
devnullable0x00@reddit
If it's in person: "clearly" If it's over teams: https://letmegooglethat.com
Embarrassed_Tax8292@reddit
"If there is a task / ticket for it, I don't mind getting to it once the ones that came in before yours have been dealt with" - I don't make the rules it is pure SOP 🙌🏻. But first a coffee and smoke break is needed.
GustavoSwift@reddit
"That's why they pay me the wildly mediocre bucks"
Savings_Art5944@reddit
"Me neither. I'm winging it."
If they question it, I follow up with "Ya. Same thing when I was pretending to be a (insert luddite's profession here)
codeguru42@reddit
Programmer here but somehow I been following sys admin and it subset lately. I didn't realize this was a thing in the it world. I have been thinking about it lately and would really like to respond with something like this:
Coworker: I'm not a computer person person
Me: Are you a car person?
Coworker: No
Me: And somehow you managed to drive yourself to the office today, right?
Coworker: Sure
Me: Just like you learned to drive you can learn to use a computer. I am a computer mechanic. You don't bring your car to the shop when you are out of gas. You know how to fill it up yourself.
...this is a first draft of thoughts I've had lately on this topic. And I would probably get fired for saying this to a C suite...but i think I would enjoy it
DistinctTrust8063@reddit
Ok boomer
Ive_seen_things_that@reddit
You are a knowledge worker who gets paid to operate a computer 8hrs a day. You might want to evaluate your life choices.
_haha_oh_wow_@reddit
"No worries, this is why we have documentation and helpful staff!"
DopamineSavant@reddit
Computer illiterate people kept me employed through college so I don't mind them.
slayermcb@reddit
"Sounds like a good opportunity for a teachable moment."
Than I'll walk them through it using as many non-technical terms as possible. "Click that thing that looks like a waffle" or "see those three little dots in the corner"
I am a professional in my field. My job is to know these things. I do not expect them to troubleshoot their own issues and do not treat them as stupid for not being able to. I grant special exceptions to this rule for repeat offenders, or those that expect me to do their job for them, but overall I try and maintain as much patience and humility as possible, even if they dont know how to right-click or "save as" I'm in IT because I enjoy supporting others. Even the dumb ones.
Oh... and if your just looking to give em shit I do still prefer the classics like "PEBCAK issue" a "Chair to keyboard interface" malfunction or it sounds like an "I. D. 10 T." error.
arkmtech@reddit
I like to say "Not a problem, this is why I'm paid those big bucks." since most people interpret it as me joking about getting a fairly standard salary.
Accidentally said this while helping our CFO one day, and our session concluded with him insisting he'd verify my salary was competitive. He called later that week and stated "I'll gladly take your help anytime, but not sure I can help you." He'd learned that I make roughly twice what my System Manager does.
dukeofurl01@reddit
I usually say "good thing you dont have to be for this"
SelfImproveAcct@reddit
What a loser you are lol. Try doing their job
When i was help desk id say “don’t worry we’re usually just 1 or 2 google searches ahead of you” to diffuse tension
Mikash33@reddit
I work in the Education field, so I always use "It's never too late to learn something new!" Shockingly, I haven't been punched yet.
Yogurtdestroyer@reddit
It's not about being tech savy - it is about understanding the tool you use at work to get your job done. We've made it as easy as possible for you to use this tool.
I tell them that I understand they might not know all of the acronyms or what all of the bleeps and bloops mean and that these days error messages give you a simple read out of what's going on I just need you to be able to take a screenshot. I explain a lot of stuff in very simple terms as well so they can get a real world understanding of what's what and it's not as mysterious - they also are the ones fixing the issue while I tell them what to do so they can replicate those steps the next time they may run into said issue. Little bit of understanding seems to go a long way for a good amount of people.
IMO the move/get out of the way I'll do it IT Crowd approach kills a lot of people's understanding of how to fix simple stuff on their own.
police-truck@reddit
User: I don’t know/understand how this works. Me: Don’t worry I don’t either, so we’re going to both figure it out.
Usually will motivate them/me a little, even though I know they’re taking zero mental notes.
Wolfram_And_Hart@reddit
That’s fine but It’s 2026.
Rough_Section_3730@reddit
I kid around with them and tell them “it’s ok neither am I”
Proper_Bad_1588@reddit
I just click on stuff till it works...
ZAlternates@reddit
My job is to turn it off and back on again.
LibtardsAreFunny@reddit
fucking director of tax literally told my boss that i made them do the "heavy lifting". The day prior to that i had requested she sign out of excel and back in and then test one URL. Where the fuck do these jackasses come from? Sorry, i didn't log in and do it for you which would have freaking took longer.
noahsmybro@reddit
I always tell them (and I’m sincere about this) that it’s ok, and I don’t know anything about law/medicine/insurance/whatever it us they do, and that’s why we’re here (referring to my company), and it’s our job to help them with whatever computer problem they have.
Then depending on the circumstances I might vent to colleagues once I’m off the phone. (NEVER while the call is still connected. DO NOT TRUST THE MUTE BUTTON.)
Marty_McFlay@reddit
Your role when providing support, is to be supportive. I'm getting paid to use google for them, or to stand there and hold their hand while they right click for the first time. If I'm not getting paid enough to put up with the BS I get from the users I either find a role with less BS or one that pays more so you can offset having to be nice when asked unreasonable questions by buying for more vacations, nice food, and therapy. It sounds like support may not be the best fit for you. If there is a deficiency that impacts their ability to perform their role, sometimes I politely tell my director, who tells their director, who tells their manager.
Mr-RS182@reddit
It like when they say “I am not very good with computer”
Ok Susan but you use a computer everyday to do your job so what I am hearing is that you are not very good at your job.
SigmaStroud@reddit
I usually respond with "No worries, that's why you have us anyway!"
Papertache@reddit
"That's okay!"
karateninjazombie@reddit
it isn't 1989 anymore. Tech is everywhere and is ubiquitous in society. You aren't " computer illiterate" "not tech savvy". You're too stupid to bother learning something you use daily for you job which your survival depends on. So try again Jane. You're a typist who doesn't know how do do am certain bit of formatting. You either need to take the initiative and look it up on the web/in the programs help file. Or go to your line manager and ask for training.
The HR lady was trying hard not to giggle when I was called in and she read the transcript aloud.
kindofageek@reddit
“Look, I can barely operate my microwave. I can promise there’s a hundred things you know way more about than I ever will.”
Kind of self-degrading and bringing yourself down a bit while also elevating them.
agarr1@reddit
Well the most recent was "thats not what your CV says and dont you think it's a bit of an issue considering you applied to work on a IT helpdesk?"
veilofmaya1234@reddit
"that's okay, I'm Amish."
Blackhawk23@reddit
Grow up, OP.
judicatorprime@reddit
I generally go with "that's alright, all it takes is practice"
it's both disarming/neutral and putting the proverbial ball in their court.
Mr_ToDo@reddit
Ya. Get more of that then I care for. But I usually treat it like any other problem. Explain to them what I did, and if I can, why it happened, and how to prevent it from happening again
For some reason that annoys some people but we all got to share the pain sometimes( but no kindness ever goes un punished(No really. I got more positive comments the times I've been too busy to take the time to educate, then when I'm trying to reduce their repeat issues that have been frustrating them )
But for platitudes I just go with "we all have our strengths and weaknesses". I imagine they could take that as an insult, but not so clearly that it can be actioned. And it's also true. Sure it'd be nice if they took the time to learn a bit more of their tools, but that's not usually ITs role
thetechwookie@reddit
I usually say “that’s okay, it’s why I’m here to help”
Fallingdamage@reddit
"Are you a car person?"
No...
Then how did you get to work?
yrogerg123@reddit
"That's okay"
ModernDayWitcher@reddit
I always say “same here”.
rootkode@reddit
“me neither”
blofly@reddit
"Hey, no worries! We'll get through this together. Here are the first steps...." has worked well for me for over 30 years.
No reason to create animosity with the user that could suck the life out of you for countless hours.
Users are like our children. If you catch yourself losing patience with them, you NEED to re-assign them to another tech who has the patience to do so.
When one my kids was sick, and another was 3 and rambunctious, and my wife was gone, I had to call my mother to drive over to help me with them.
There's no shame in admitting burnout in these situations.
Or....stop being a pussy, be glad you have a job, and learn how to be more patient.
Angelsomething@reddit
I just ask them if they’re from the past. 25% of the times, works 90% of the times.
False-Pilot-7233@reddit
"Shit, me either"
I get less requests 😁
CharcoalGreyWolf@reddit
I say “I don’t need you to be savvy; if you’re able to follow instructions, we’ll do just fine.”
WhiskyEchoTango@reddit
I always get this when I ask someone to check if something is plugged in or to describe unplugging something and plugging it back in. I asked them if they've ever plugged in an appliance at home. It's no more difficult, even a USB-A connector is comparable to a polarized plug.
mr_lab_rat@reddit
You don’t need to be, that’s why I’m here.
But if someone is clearly lazy and not willing to learn new processes I tell them the documentation is written for an average user. I ask them to bring up things that are still confusing and we will reconsider going into more detail at the risk of the document being too long.
AsherTheFrost@reddit
"and I can't fix my car if it's more complicated than changing the oil, everyone has something". Or, in my current role where I support primarily k-12 teachers "No worries, I got the easy job here."
Historical_Peak_3951@reddit
The edit kind of says it all honestly, your original responses would tank you with management pretty quick. "Well it's a good thing I am then" works way better and keeps you employed.
Normal_Choice9322@reddit
"it's part of your job. Good luck"
alexcascadia@reddit
If someone tells me they're not tech savvy, I say something like "it's all good man, that's why I'm here", and I compliment them anytime they do anything that shows skill on the computer.
AdversarialPossum42@reddit
"You've built a lifetime a learning new skills. Why is this one so different?"
BoysenberryDue3637@reddit
Had one say that to me while trying to get us to manage his Vibe code. Shut that shit down in less than a minute.
PixelSage-001@reddit
"That's totally fine, you don't need to be tech-savvy to read the prompts on the screen—I'll guide you through it."
If you show patience, it usually diffuses the defensiveness. The moment they realize you aren't going to make them feel stupid, they actually start trying. But when patience wears thin, I usually stick to: "You don't need to know how the car engine works to drive it, you just need to follow the dashboard instructions."
To cut down on these repetitive user-education conversations, we built an automated response pipeline on Runable. When a ticket is submitted with common keyword patterns (like "password reset help" or "don't know where to click"), the runner automatically emails the user a short, 30-second interactive GIF guide showing exactly how to use the self-service portal. It solves their issue before it ever hits a tech's queue, saving us from having to repeat the same basic steps.
dhchicago@reddit
"Totally understand that your not tech savvy, but I am. So youre going to have to trust me and let me do my part. And on my end, I'm horrible at accounting, and if I have issues with invoices or payments for my vendors, I'll return that trust you."
eclipse75@reddit
I'm usually down playing their lack of knowledge. i want them to feel comfortable enough to come to me when they need to.
I'll tell them along the lines maybe there are things they know that i don't, or Google does all the remembering for me, or joking it's job security for me.
without users, we don't have a job. we're ultimately hired to serve them.
TheWDWillis@reddit
“Well, I find most people are more savvy than they think if they really pay attention. And I prefer someone underestimating their skill than someone who over estimates it and breaks things. So don’t worry, I’m here to help you get this working and be sure you know what you are doing.” Or sometimes, “yeah, not to worry, that is how I felt about myself when I started out with tech. It’s really just learning one little thing, and then another that builds on it. We have got this.” Or even, “hey, I respect a healthy concern for your skill level, but don’t worry. I know you can handle this, and we can get through it together.”
Really and truly, I agree with others and the first statement. I prefer the ones who undervalue their skill to those who are sure they can do it all and just break everything.
traviss8@reddit
I always respond with "neither am I, I just work here"
singing-toaster@reddit
I usually say things like,
We are all experts at different things.
I don’t expect my doctor to be a computer whiz. I expect them to be a great doctor. So let’s see what we can do here….
sudo_69@reddit
Ha I usually say "Neither am I. But we're in this together buddy."
malikto44@reddit
Depends on the user. Clueless, I don't mind. Willfully ignorant and trying to use IT as a dumping ground for their own ineptness? No thanks.
The clueless ones, I respond, "Neither am I... but here we are."
The ones that are using IT to cover their idiocy, I mention that it is a requirement to work there that users do their part, and failure to have at least basic knowledge, as required by the yearly phishing trainings will be noted.
Xelopheris@reddit
"But I'm not a computer person"
If a contractor hired someone that wasn't a hammer person they wouldn't stick around long.
TaliesinWI@reddit
I use a car analogy. "Yes, it's my job to change the oil and replace the spark plugs, you don't have to worry about that, but I can't teach you how to drive."
en-rob-deraj@reddit
"Neither am I"
alarmologist@reddit
I am a plumber, so I know all about pipes. Oh, the many things I can do with pipe. However, I am unable to use wrenches, as I do not understand their functions. I, an expert in all things that plumb, am somehow completely ignorant of the one tool used in my field of expertise. That's why they call us plumbers and not wrenchers.
LetzGetz@reddit
"Hey! that's why I get paid"
"You do better than most, trust me"
WWGHIAFTC@reddit
"I don't need you to be tech savvy. I just need you to do it the way you've been taught over and over."
It's not that hard Linda. Just do your job.
Abarca_@reddit
Getting snarky won’t get you anywhere. Your job is to provide support, so provide it.
sketchy__mike@reddit
Just converse like a human lmao my god. “That’s okay!”
jpnd123@reddit
I laugh it off and say "don't worry, it's job security".
What's the point of talking down to people.
AbusedLurker@reddit
"No big deal. Tech is getting worse and worse anyway." Or "That's ok. I'll walk you through this."
sryan2k1@reddit
So you just badmouthed the thing they need to use every day that they already "don't" know how to use? No, don't do that.
Anezay@reddit
It's just correct. We're not worried about sparing Microsoft's feelings.
sryan2k1@reddit
It has nothing to do with Microsoft (or any vendor) it's about image. It makes IT/your company look bad. "Why do we use this product? IT says it's shit!"
Anezay@reddit
The possibilities for the described scenario are
a- There is only one product in this category and the monopoly has downsides, sorry user.
b- There is a better product, but it takes time, manpower, and money to switch and this is what management has decided on for now, sorry user.
c- We are in the process of switching, hold on for now user.
d- There is something like an alternate tool or an assisting tool that ameliorates your issue, here's how you use it.
e- PEBCAK error
None of these invalidates what u/AbusedLurker said above. Once again, not interested in any company's image, especially to a coworker who already works at the company. Don't be a dick to the user. If the user does complain like that, perhaps such feedback could be considered when you're assessing whether to renew contracts with vendors or switching vendors or purchasing some new tool that helps with a recurring issue. Bad or unintunitive UX is a product failure.
AbusedLurker@reddit
I don't see it as badmouthing. I'm being open and empathetic to their frustration while also being human about it.
sryan2k1@reddit
That person goes to their coworkers and says "XXX from IT says this sucks" and it just snowballs. It's not a good look.
AbusedLurker@reddit
I still provide support professionally and I only say these things to people I have a good rapport with anyway.
Long_Experience_9377@reddit
Generally, the ones that are self-depracating are the better ones to have. It's the ones that know just enough to hang themselves that cause so much trouble. Granted, there are the ones that I honestly can't figure out how they made it this far without losing a finger...
Bob4Not@reddit
I prefer to uplift and encourage with things like “No worries, you’re doing great. It just takes time.” Or “it’s tricky, but we’ll get it!”
marklein@reddit
You don't need to know how to change your oil to drive your car to work.
Aim_Fire_Ready@reddit
“Me neither”
Lord_Raiden@reddit
Can’t tell you how many nurses I’ve had say that to me. My response to them is always “And that’s totally fine. It’s not your job to understand technology. It’s your job to take care of patients. It’s our job to get the technology out of your way and make it as easy to use as possible.”
This is the way. End users can be frustrating, but try to imagine it from their point of view.
UntouchedWagons@reddit
Last year my dad bought a new tablet at a local store and he said something to the effect of "I'm not a computer guy" and the salesperson replied "You don't need to be a car guy to drive a car." Unfortunately it didn't have much effect.
LibrarianCalistarius@reddit
My usual is "you may think that I find this very easy to use or deal with, but remember that I have to service computers like yours all day everyday. It's quite normal if you are not used to these kinds of things, do not worry about that"
bukkithedd@reddit
Oh, I've flat out asked users that come knocking when they've gotten an easy to follow guide on how to do things whether or not they have functional eyes in their heads and/or if they can read. And I don't give an iota of a fuck about whether or not it might be seen as toxic. I work with adult and at least somewhat intelligent, vaguely humanoid fleshbags, and the VERY least of what I should be able to expect is them being able to follow IKEA-style documentation. Because that's what I write, because that's what I need as well: Short text, each step pictured with an arrow towards what they need to do, no more than two arrows per picture.
Now, I don't mind helping people that *genuinely* don't understand or that are anxious. Far from it. But there are limits to what manner of bullshit excuses I am willing to entertain.
If you can follow IKEA- or LEGO-instructions, you can follow my documentation.
Aaaand then there's those that don't bother doing the thing because "It's worked until now!"... Yes, I KNOW it's worked until now. I was the muppet that took the old system offline, and that also had a weird, wistful hope that I wouldn't get flooded by calls the day the old solution dies. But HEAVENS forbid people read the goddamn emails that are sent out, and actually follows them, so that they wouldn't have to be stuck in a queue of people that I have to fix this shit for.
Yes. I know I'm harsh. But come the hell on, people, there should be SOME limit to the amount of handholding that we're required to do just because people cannot be arsed to do what they're told. And consequences.
Nnyan@reddit
No one starts out tech savvy, you're doing/will do just fine.
imgroovy@reddit
I wonder sometimes if that’s just not a cop-out statement. I mean it’s the 21st century.
Zealousideal-Kiwi-59@reddit
-Neither am I, this is only basics.
I am sysadmin in a few finance related systems but my background is only finance and economis.
No_Ad1720@reddit
I usually just say, “yeah, me neither.”
MagicBoyUK@reddit
Takes all my self-control not to roll my eyes at them.
MasterIntegrator@reddit
“Totally get it but this is a core requirement of your employment I am here to help you but I cannot do it for you. If the documentation and instruction is not enough to help we can help by getting HR to bring you some resources”
rootcurios@reddit
Someone elsw pointed out being mean or talking down to them is is an L move. As an asshole, even I agree.
However, if they're "not tech savvy" and being shitty to me while I troubleshoot or refusing to listen to my advise, I will absolutely remind them that I can get off the phone and they can figure out the mess they created if they'd like, otherwise I'm there to help.
I also have hell of "I beg your pardon?" If they get snippy.
iceph03nix@reddit
Maybe you should work on your People-Savvyness... This sounds super toxic.
Anezay@reddit
Hey kids. It's 2026, not 1990. You can't just be the dickhead who knows how to access the magic inside the computer and stay employed anymore.
thomasafine@reddit
It's always about patience. My wife with a masters in Computer Science no longer finds any interest in tech, and just wants a computer that serves her needs with no fuss. So she asks for my help when she hits a snag nor because she couldn't figure it out, but because "figuring it out" is a useless distraction from the thing she's trying to do.
In general, people who are not "tech savvy" are simply spending their patience and mental currency elsewhere. AS THEY SHOULD (in most cases). At work, I support scientists. They should be thinking about science and in most cases it is LITERALLY OUR JOB to help them focus on issues that matter to them, and NOT be expert in computers.
Sysadmins often don't think in these terms, but the whole thing with "users are lusers" is that this is as it should be. The less our customers need to know about computers, the better we have done our jobs.
Outarel@reddit
Based on their job i try to think of a clever way of saying "well I can't do what you do either"
Anezay@reddit
Exactly. My version is "we all have our specialties".
woemoejack@reddit
I usually say 'not all its cracked up to be, I assure you'
bjc1960@reddit
I don't recommend anyone do what I am doing, but I have a claude project with "overly empathetic response".
wisym@reddit
Usually something like "No worries, because I am! and I'm sure I couldn't do your job, so we're all doing our part."
Maxplode@reddit
It really depends. I get a bit irked if it's something in the Office suite that any normal person should be able to do or it's a quick Google search, and it's the 3rd-4th time you've called me today.
But again it depends on the attitude. I couldn't do Finances job nor would I want to be working in Compliance.
qwikh1t@reddit
7-Eleven is hiring
ArcOfADream@reddit
"That has nothing to do with 'tech savvy', [insert user name]. It's just lazy." Or I'll just shrug, smile, and walk away. Not my monkey or my circus; for this sort of thing I don't get stressed, probably because I ran out of fucks to give somewhere around the mid 1990s.
I've said worse to my own 'supervisors' and company owners. If this is just a garden-variety user then I'll tell them it's an issue for *their* supervisor, not me. You can't 'fix' it so there's just no sense in stressing over it in even the slightest fashion.
That's usually when my resignation notice hits someone's desk.
paishocajun@reddit
"I don't need you to know computers. If you know your left click from your right click, you can log in and check your email by yourself, and you can do whatever your team needs you to do on the computer, I can handle the rest. I call it 'job security'" and give a chuckle to let them know I'm not talking down to them, I'm working WITH them on whatever the issue is.
I might chit chat for a minute about whatever software they're dealing with, like SAP, if I can angle it in a "I know how to install this but YOU actually know how to use it" sort of way to give them "tech capable" credit where I can.
If not, bc I work petrochem, I have the fallback of "my job is to make sure you guys can know what jobs to do so shit out there don't go boom" because that's genuinely how I feel. Yeah, I can fix computers (or at least swap them if I need to) but I can't go out there and within minutes know if there's a compressor down, if the steam levels are too low, etc. They're not "stupid" they just have a different skill set.
Except for that one guy who closed the exit to a confined space and took lunch with 3 guys still welding in there.... Consensus among my social group is that the manager kept trying to find a job the dude couldn't screw up on and yeah...
joerice1979@reddit
I might chit chat for a minute about whatever software they're dealing with, like SAP, if I can angle it in a "I know how to install this but YOU actually know how to use it" sort of way to give them "tech capable" credit where I can.
I'm a big fan of this approach as well. People can use computers daily for years but lets face it; error messages are largely junk these days and offer no assistance that a user can use.
Making the user feel a little better about their potentially frustrated position is support gold, for me.
paishocajun@reddit
"error message 0x0015007c... What does that mean"
"Dude, I have NO idea. Give me a couple to try to look it up and I'll call you back" 15 minutes later "Y'llo" "Dude I don't know WHAT you did but apparently that code makes Google start talking like Gozer" or some other smartass line to at least amuse myself and break out of my frustrated mindset so I can start trying to dig deeper.
-ThesuarusRex-@reddit
"I'm not savvy either, so no worries. Tech is my job, let me worry about that part."
Fast-Assistance-8936@reddit
IT is like 90% soft skills. I’m frustrated the user is challenged with simple tasks but I would never put them down for it.
I’m not good with computers. It’s 2026 ma’am. I’m definitely irritated but I’ve killed the reflex to respond what I’m thinking
Acceptable_Mood_7590@reddit
No response - I don’t talk to such people
JapioF@reddit
But I'm not tech savy... 'No, but I am, so shut up and listen!'
Skyhound555@reddit
Bro thought he cooked with this lol maybe we need a sysadmin meme sub for stuff like this.
I agree with everyone else. This is hugely unprofessional and is the kind of behavior that keeps one in Help Desk hell forever.
Most I say is "That's what I am here for", "It happens to the best of us", or straight up "I know enough about technology to know it never works when we want it to".
Everybody hates asking for tech support, us acting like dickheads just makes it worse. I would genuinely consider firing a member of the team for that type of shit.
Only one time have I had to "talk back" to a user. I was help desk and this person simply did not want to listen to my instructions. While they called for help, they apparently didn't trust me when I said I needed to remote into their PC. I had to calmly state:
"Sir, you called into our service desk for a solution and I am the expert paid for by the company to provide you a solution. If you are not willing to take my instruction, we will have to end the call here and I will have to inform your supervisor of the situation." I would then send the user the email I have drafted for their supervisor with all of my notes up until then.
I ended up sending the email to their supervisor anyway after the call was done. Never heard of any fallout, for me; at least.
There are professional ways of telling people to fuck off and act like a professional. They only work if you remain professional as well.
Id_Rather_Not_Tell@reddit
"You don't know what you don't know"
Don't expect them to have the same knowledge and understanding you have, there's a reason you're the tech guy and they aren't.
Asleep-Bother-8247@reddit
Your response is terrible lmao. I like to joke and say 'hey, if you knew how to do EVERYTHING then I wouldn't have a job!' or I say 'it's job security'. I also say something like 'I know NOTHING about cars - I can drive it and put gas in it and that's it - that's why I go to a mechanic' or 'we don't know what we don't know'.
You get a lot further with some kindness and empathy. Yes, users can be fucking annoying, but treating them like shit certainly isn't going to do you a single favor.
TechGjod@reddit
remember, you are getting paid to do this, and if you want to keep getting paid....
ancientpsychicpug@reddit
Well. When someone says “I am not tech savvy” and it’s true, I say “no worries that’s why we are here”
If they say that but I notice they do know quite a bit, I tell them I used to run a tech learning class at a college where people didn’t know what a mouse and keyboard was. I think that makes them feel better.
Would never talk down to someone.
S_ATL_Wrestling@reddit
In wrestling terms, I "no-sell it." Ignore they said it and move on to helping them/helping them understand. They'll use it as a prop if you let them.
JadedIT_Tech@reddit
I never talk down to a user.
I might think about it real hard, but I will never voice it to them.
What I may think is "Well, you don't talk to a carpenter who isn't very hammer savvy, so why should you be any different?", but it's highly unprofessional to talk down to an end user no matter who they are.
Bogus1989@reddit
im not gonna say anything to the end user like this….
but BULLSHIT.
they say that while they are on their iphone.
SirLoremIpsum@reddit
How about you use your customer service voice to be nice to people?
Do you think you'd appreciate it if your plumber mechanic electrician Doc said same shit to you?
Jesus man, have some respect for people in your work place. Join a comedy club if you want material to be a dick to people.
marquessmint@reddit
I think you need to change your approach. I get that sometimes users can be frustrated but you need to work on being less frustrated. Users aren’t stupid, they’re just unsure and looking to you for guidance.
Velvet_Samurai@reddit
I usually say, "That's why I get paid the big bucks."
CesarioRose@reddit
"I got you, fam."
mdervin@reddit
The graveyard is full of indispensable men.
jrwnetwork@reddit
Repeat offenders get a message to their supervisor/manager as the ability to use a computer definatly came up while they were being hired.
sryan2k1@reddit
Depending on where you work that is very much not a universal truth.
hankhalfhead@reddit
I like to say ‘it’s lucky you don’t have to use computers every day then!’
BryceKatz@reddit
"No worries. I'll walk you though the steps. We'll go though it a twice so you can make sure your notes are accurate."