How Much Respect Do You Get?

droidlev asks: "In our continually fluctuating economy I have seen a drastic change in the level of respect that I receive. As a technician I've grown accustomed to a heightened level of respect when I walk into a client's office. Not to say that I have a God complex, however, it feels good to walk into a room and be appreciated. I'm passionate for the computer work that I do; I'm 'GEEK' for it. People know that I'm there to help and solve their problems. There is good amount of value in this extra level of appreciation and respect. This is especially true when you are developing business relationships (and of course it never hurts to be liked). In recent times, however, I've been cast in a different light; actually more like a darkened shadow. I am now seen as a necessary evil instead of the 'all powerful technician.' So I ask what your experiences have been, either as a computer technician or another professional? Have you seen a change in the level of respect that you receive?" "Businesses are trying to save every penny they have. Unless something significant goes wrong, they handle a situation themselves. This only compounds the severity of a problem. By the time I get there, everything has gone to hell and I get a look (the it's-all-your-fault look) from every cubicle and every office. In the past, exceptionally dedicated service translated to loyal clients that didn't mind paying a little bit more. Once I was the problem solver, now it seems I am yet another flame to burn their money."

Comments

Easy remedy to your respect problem

[nomadicGeek]

I know a lot of geeks with the same problem. Maybe you need a little of this

Re:Oh fuck ya

[Anonymous Coward]

Very interesting comment. Makes me think of my own experience. I work on week-ends and during week days I work as freelance (in France). And I often grab other tech's jobs not because I'm cheaper or something alike, but just because I get the job done and done right. It can go from cleaning a mouse to creating a template on excel for an employee that asks for it privately or fixing their server and saving their data that is valued a lot of money. They see stuff that doesnt work, I come and everything works fine. Now it's just taking care of everything so it works without interruption. Tech service, price and having the job done. All other techs they have tried offer service, high price and it's just obvious things dont work correctly.

I got respect from listening to people needs. It's not only fixing problems but listening to them and everything that is technical is done, everything else being explained.

Thank you for your remarks :)

(gilboooo@hotmail.com)

Re:Respect...

[Merlisk]

> respect is earned

I disagree with this. Respect is granted to you by someone else. You can never 'earn' it.

Have integrity. Be yourself. Do unto others as you'd have them do unto yours. Respect will then be granted to you.

Re:Yeeah, I don't buy it.

[scotch]

You must be new here.

Re:Yeeah, I don't buy it.

[mrjb]

me too

Re:wow...

[vsprintf]

Wow is right. I have to bookmark this as an example of slashdot moderation wrongness.