Heard a homeowner say "electricity is just like water flowing through pipes" and had to bite my tongue so hard I almost drew blood

Tried explaining voltage drop and load calculations to them for 10 minutes before they just nodded and asked if I could make the outlet in the bathroom look "more modern" for under $50, has anyone else given up trying to correct bad analogies on the job?

2 comments

2 Comments

anna_green484d ago

It's honestly just part of a bigger thing where people think they can oversimplify anything into a basic life hack and call it a day. Like the whole "just follow your passion" thing that ignores rent and bills, or "it's just like riding a bike" when learning actual complex skills. Everything gets flattened into some easy metaphor so nobody has to admit they don't really get how stuff works under the hood. People want the quick version of understanding, not the real one, and they get mad when you try to give it to them straight. Kinda makes you wonder why we bother half the time when a nod and a smile gets the job done faster.

-1

amyb544d ago

@anna_green48 you nailed it with the "nod and a smile" bit. It's like people want the cliff notes for everything, and if you try to explain the messy reality they just tune out. Makes you wonder if we're all just supposed to pretend we get it and move on?