I work as a systems administrator, and part of my job involves answering questions about computers. I generally like my job, but sometimes it gets on my nerves. When people ask me what I find so irritating, this is what I tell them:

Imagine that you are a salesperson for a furniture store and you get a phone call that goes like this ...

Customer:

I'd like to buy a kitchen table.

You:

That's fine; we have many styles of kitchen tables, I'm sure you can find one you like.

Customer:

I need one that's 3 feet by 5 feet and has a butcher block top.

You:

Yes, we have a table like that. You can pick it up today.

Customer:

OK, how can I get it back to my house?

You:

Well, it comes disassembled, so you can just put it on a roof rack. We can loan you a roof rack if you don't have one.

Customer:

But how do get there?

You:

We're just off exit 25 of the Turnpike. Where are you coming from?

Customer:

Wait, wait, you're going way too fast for me. I have a Toyota Celica in my driveway, and the keys are in my hand. What do I do next?

And, whatever you say at this point, the response is always the same:

Customer:

But all I want is a kitchen table! Why does it have to be so *COMPLICATED*!

Courtesy of:

Charles H. Buchholtz
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania