Thought for the day: dealing with people

April 21st, 2009

When dealing with people (whether friends, family, customers or suppliers), remember: there is an absolute world of difference between “I think that’s rubbish” and “it is rubbish”.

One is a statement of opinion, the other is likely to get people’s backs up. Words and phrasing are important to people.

It’s why naming in computer science is hard.

It’s why people are better than machines.

3 Responses to “Thought for the day: dealing with people”

  1. John Leach Says:

    Massive difference isn’t it! I make an effort to *hear* “it is rubbish” as “I think it’s rubbish” so I don’t get my back up.

    Also, people are just machines. Or maybe what I mean is: *I think* people are machines.

    But they are :)

  2. fatgeekuk Says:

    Baz, sorry if I got your back up.

  3. Rahoul Baruah Says:

    Peter – not aimed at you specifically – just people in general.

    Or rather, people who work with computers in general.