French Working Hours.
I'm amazed at the reactions to this one, have we become a Europe of workaholics? Is it so much to ask that our leisure time is actually our time? And anyway, isn't it personal choice to allow telephone calls out of normal work hours?
In my 'day job' I work maintenance for a bar and restaurant group, and sometimes get 'phone calls after work. For the most part I can sort the problem during the call by instructions, and don't have to go in, but there have been occasions when attendance is necessary, because the caller either hasn't the skill or ability to solve the problem. What this boils down to, in my mind, is the old fashioned work ethic, which sadly doesn't seem to exist any longer, that what is good for the company, is good for me. The company prospers, I prosper. Maybe I've been lucky, maybe my boss is unusual.
We don't have a house 'phone, we use mobiles, they're cheaper to use here, and my boss only has my number, and he knows my 'phone is off after about 9pm, so any jobs for the following day are by text or a call after 7am the in the morning, when I switch on again.
My thinking is that one of the problems faced today is that more and more companies are 'floated' on the markets, and workloads are driven, not by consumer demand, but by shareholder requirements and accountants figures. Chasing the buck to please shareholders has become the norm, rather than good old customer satisfaction.
Office Jargon...
I crack up laughing sometimes when I hear or read some of the stuff that 'office types' come out with nowadays, the so-called 'office jargon'. Things like "Let's touch base in a think-shower" meaning "We'll have a meeting an see if we can come up with some good ideas between us". Or "Can I stir fry an idea in your think-wok", which translates to "Can I have your opinion of my idea?". "Can you leverage the drinkables" is a good one, "Go get the coffees".
Just Google 'office jargon' and have a good laugh in your next 'offline time'.
Text Speak...
I'm in the process of reading a book, not a 'real' book you understand, but an electronic version of a book. I don't have a problem with technology, I regularly use a computer, and a tablet, as this blog attests, and indeed send more texts than I make 'phone calls, but I do get seriously antsy when I receive some missive, be it text, instant message or e-mail, and it's full of abbreviations or jargon, the dreaded 'text speak' or 'txt spk' as folk are wont to put it.
Just last week I read, in a UK national daily newspaper, an article where a celebrity was described thus: 'She 'channels' [a long dead celebrity] and 'rocks' [some item of clothing]'. Now what on earth that is supposed to mean is beyond me! Why can they not just write 'reminds us of' and 'looks stunning in' or something like it? Maybe the price of printing ink has risen again, so economy is called for in its use.
Anyway, I digress, the book in question is a classic, Oliver Twist, and the copy I got is a faithful reproduction of the original manuscript by Charles Dickens. The language does make heavy going at first, but once used to the turn of phrase and the slang of the time, is quite enjoyable. I defy anyone under the age of 50 to read it and understand it at first reading!
Stupid News Of The Month
I just had to throw this one in. It may even be the best of the year.
A 'Body language expert' has worked out that Prince George is advanced for his age, and I quote
"Prince George's body language spoke volumes at his first royal 'meet and greet' - and every movement revealed a baby destined to be King, says body language expert Judi James".
What a load of twaddle! The baby, bless him, is 8 months old, his movements and 'body language' are the same as any other 8 month old, play, explore, feel, taste etc, he has no idea of his parent's station in life, or his own, he is simply doing the same as all babies, learning by example.
Well done Daily Mail, for finding this 'expert' and sharing her insight.
I'm amazed at the reactions to this one, have we become a Europe of workaholics? Is it so much to ask that our leisure time is actually our time? And anyway, isn't it personal choice to allow telephone calls out of normal work hours?
In my 'day job' I work maintenance for a bar and restaurant group, and sometimes get 'phone calls after work. For the most part I can sort the problem during the call by instructions, and don't have to go in, but there have been occasions when attendance is necessary, because the caller either hasn't the skill or ability to solve the problem. What this boils down to, in my mind, is the old fashioned work ethic, which sadly doesn't seem to exist any longer, that what is good for the company, is good for me. The company prospers, I prosper. Maybe I've been lucky, maybe my boss is unusual.
We don't have a house 'phone, we use mobiles, they're cheaper to use here, and my boss only has my number, and he knows my 'phone is off after about 9pm, so any jobs for the following day are by text or a call after 7am the in the morning, when I switch on again.
My thinking is that one of the problems faced today is that more and more companies are 'floated' on the markets, and workloads are driven, not by consumer demand, but by shareholder requirements and accountants figures. Chasing the buck to please shareholders has become the norm, rather than good old customer satisfaction.
Office Jargon...
I crack up laughing sometimes when I hear or read some of the stuff that 'office types' come out with nowadays, the so-called 'office jargon'. Things like "Let's touch base in a think-shower" meaning "We'll have a meeting an see if we can come up with some good ideas between us". Or "Can I stir fry an idea in your think-wok", which translates to "Can I have your opinion of my idea?". "Can you leverage the drinkables" is a good one, "Go get the coffees".
Just Google 'office jargon' and have a good laugh in your next 'offline time'.
Text Speak...
I'm in the process of reading a book, not a 'real' book you understand, but an electronic version of a book. I don't have a problem with technology, I regularly use a computer, and a tablet, as this blog attests, and indeed send more texts than I make 'phone calls, but I do get seriously antsy when I receive some missive, be it text, instant message or e-mail, and it's full of abbreviations or jargon, the dreaded 'text speak' or 'txt spk' as folk are wont to put it.
Just last week I read, in a UK national daily newspaper, an article where a celebrity was described thus: 'She 'channels' [a long dead celebrity] and 'rocks' [some item of clothing]'. Now what on earth that is supposed to mean is beyond me! Why can they not just write 'reminds us of' and 'looks stunning in' or something like it? Maybe the price of printing ink has risen again, so economy is called for in its use.
Anyway, I digress, the book in question is a classic, Oliver Twist, and the copy I got is a faithful reproduction of the original manuscript by Charles Dickens. The language does make heavy going at first, but once used to the turn of phrase and the slang of the time, is quite enjoyable. I defy anyone under the age of 50 to read it and understand it at first reading!
Stupid News Of The Month
I just had to throw this one in. It may even be the best of the year.
A 'Body language expert' has worked out that Prince George is advanced for his age, and I quote
"Prince George's body language spoke volumes at his first royal 'meet and greet' - and every movement revealed a baby destined to be King, says body language expert Judi James".
What a load of twaddle! The baby, bless him, is 8 months old, his movements and 'body language' are the same as any other 8 month old, play, explore, feel, taste etc, he has no idea of his parent's station in life, or his own, he is simply doing the same as all babies, learning by example.
Well done Daily Mail, for finding this 'expert' and sharing her insight.
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