Please play the 6-second video above before you continue reading!
Did you really play the video?
Okay, all kidding aside, did you play it?
The video is of our (Trinity United Methodist Church of Jensen Beach, FL) Pastor, Anil Singh, who was born and raised in Manhattan, telling us that he “knows a guy” in his best New York accent. (No, he doesn’t normally speak that way!)
I asked him to share his message (which he sometimes repeats during a sermon) to introduce my readers to my Pet Peeve #5. (If you have attended my live seminars in the past, you may recall me mentioning a few pet peeves or you may have read one or two of them here on this blog.) So, what is my Pet Peeve #5? When I have to “fix” a computing device that a customer allowed a friend or relative who “knows computers” to work on, that falls into this category.
Here’s the truth: the computing world changes EVERY day. If I didn’t live and breathe it 7 days a week, it would only take about a week for me to be “behind the times.” Another problem with the guy (or gal) who “knows computers” is that most people only know a specific computer or a few programs, etc., and, often, they know just enough to be dangerous. For instance, I’ve had these computer know-it-alls tell customers they don’t need protection because “they have a Mac” or suggest they shouldn’t do operating system updates because “they cause problems.” If this were a political blog, we’d call those kinds of statements “fake news.”
I understand that people who “know computers” are probably trying to be helpful but that doesn’t make them knowledgeable or correct in the statements they make. For instance, we work on about 150 computers a week. Next time a friend or relative offers to help you with your computer, ask them how many computers they worked on during the past week.
There you have it, my Pet Peeve #5. Oh wait, I know what you’re thinking – these friends and relatives who mess up computers send business my way and I should be happy about that. Not really. It’s very frustrating undoing a mess that wouldn’t have happened in the first place had I looked at the computer initially!
Having shared all this, if you need help with something that’s not computing-related, Pastor Anil knows a guy…
That is why we call you so often! No one touches our computer but you. I don’t attend your church but I like your pastor very much, the few times I have talked to him he genuinely seems down to earth. Thanks for sharing John.
Maria…Yes, Pastor Anil is very genuine and I’m glad you like him. Also, I appreciate that you don’t allow others to work on your computers…it makes my job that much easier! Thanks for your comment. ~John
I have a NY friend who uses that phrase so often. Fun to hear your pastor say it. But it is all true. Just call John
Jean…What’s really fun in the service is when Pastor Anil and Joyce banter back and forth. He’s from Manhattan and she’s from Brooklyn. They are often a riot! LOL Thanks for your nice compliment. ~John