A man who believes himself to be an economist, and who had at one point convinced the New York Times that he was one, writes
(This brings to mind an idea I have long had: that high schools and colleges should have a course on “how to get along” and “how to do a day’s work.” This would include showing up in clean clothes, smelling well, having had a good breakfast, dressed in a businesslike way, calling the other employees “sir” or “ma’am” and not talking back. This would include a teaching of the fact that the employee is not there for amusement, but to help the employer make money and to get a job done. It would include the idea that once you are at work, you are not at play. It is an idea whose time has come.)
Twat.
Update!. While I'm on the general subject, I have an idea for a long running blog joke. The first question in my series will be "Does anyone really give a fuck what John Rentoul thinks about anything any more?". Perhaps next week we'll tackle "Did they ever?".
Having had a good breakfast
ReplyDeleteQueue here to add your names to mine if you have substantial experience of having to go without a good breakfast because you had to get in to fucking work.
Stein writes:
ReplyDelete>...all because they allowed themselves to be ruled by magical thinking that things would be all right because the wisher happened to wish that they be all right...
Actually, it was probably because they listened to regular business pundit Ben Stein talking up the bubble every second night on their nightly teevee.
What an outstanding wanker.
I was thinking much the same thing about John Rentoul, but not the exact same thing because what prompted my musing was yet another D.A tweet linking to John Rentoul's musings. So there is someone who cares.
ReplyDeleteIs it relevant to mention that Ben Stein's primary source of income these days is lending his visage to a series of commercials hawking an entirely fraudulent "credit report alert" product? (Answer: probably not, but it's certainly enjoyable nonetheless.)
ReplyDeleteIsn't the entire structure of secondary education training you to do precisely this sort of thing? Turn up on time, follow a dress code, don't answer back, etc?
ReplyDeleteAnd then "Who the fuck is John Rentoul?"
ReplyDeleteBen Stein basically admits early in the article that his sample basis is Beverly Hills and Malibu. Which makes some of his observations rather extraordinary.
"How to give the loaf to a gobby twat who looks down his nose at you" is something that ought to be taught at a much earlier age.
ReplyDeleteThe full story of Stein's assholery may not have Crossed The Water, so FYI, lookee here.
ReplyDeletecalling the other employees “sir” or “ma’am”
ReplyDeleteI would be fascinated to know any employer that fits this description. (Other than, I suppose, the armed forces and the police and fire services.)
I thought he must be the creationist Ben Stein. Why is he still in work?
ReplyDeleteIs his list aimed at people of the black persuasion? Would that explain the "sir" and "ma'am" thing?
Is his list aimed at people of the black persuasion?
ReplyDeleteThis joke courtesy of Soap, circa 1979
I lose my patience, and I own it, scold/When jokes are censur'd, not as bad, but old. :-p
ReplyDeleteAlso, PZ Myers dumps on Ben Stein.
Is his list aimed at people of the black persuasion? Would that explain the "sir" and "ma'am" thing?
ReplyDeleteSouthern thing probably. Its more a mark of respect, than submissive.
Re Ben Stein: FTC Warns Websites That Offer 'Free' Credit Reports: Disclose Federally Mandated Free Reports or Face Prosecution Felix Salmon (who should know) says that Vertue are "Ben Stein's sleazy paymasters".
ReplyDelete