Suckerfish on the Side of Your Whale

I don't know why, but I just thought of a recent conversation I had with my mother about my job. She was asking me about all of the stuff I deal with and how my nana was suitably impressed when she had some issues and the stupid questions I deal with.

Now, my mom is better-than-average on a computer. When she first started out, as you do, she was very paranoid but now that she's used a PC for around 10 years there's very little she doesn't know or can't figure out herself. She's what we as tech support reps would call 'the ideal customer'. They know enough about a computer that their problem is usually an actual problem instead of a PEBKAC error.

However, she told me that she doesn't like calling tech support because from her experiences we're usually condescending and talk down to her and she feels like a dumbass. She's not entirely incorrect. This job makes you very bitter quickly and makes you doubt the hope for the progress of humanity. We do our best to hide that tone in our voices, but sometimes it can't be helped.

My mom uses the company I work for as her ISP. However, her 'solution' to her issues is to call me - where I berate her (as only a son can), behave bitterly and make her feel like a dumbass. It's not intentional, but that's usually the end result because your children always get more frustrated with you quickly than someone else might.

Anyway, her 'solution' to her avoiding calling tech support seems odd to me, don't cha think?!