I am certain that there is a good reason for a certain PI, who has an office of his own, to be sat in the otherwise deserted students' office, playing Solitaire on the computer.
Just as I am sure that there must be something about biologists that makes them form natural accretions in corridors, and outside lifts, and other thoroughfares. It is not just here; it is everywhere I have worked. Tell a lie, it did not happen at one place, where we had a completely open plan building (so open plan that the arse completely fell out of the company, but that is a story for another day).
Is it just biologists, or scientists? There you are, carrying a gel or a canister of fuming nitrogen (or just trying to get to the toilet) and BANG! two or more colleagues have positioned themselves, thrombosis-like, either side of the artery. You say 'excuse me' and go past, while they continue talking. Or you try and sneak behind one of them. Or you push them down the stairs with the trolley as you exit the lift because the bloody thing steers like a cow. Tempting. . .
And they are still there on the way back! Heaven help you if it is a 'T' junction or corridor intersection; this allows three or even more colleagues to position themselves for maximum blockage. It embarrasses me, especially when it happens twice or more with the same fatty deposits. What am I supposed to do? Duck under your line of sight so I do not interrupt this obviously world-shattering conversation? Swing the dewar a little more casually than usual and spill some liquid N2 on your sandalled feet? Social awkwardness ensues.
I can understand, say students doing it - they're little older than children and are excited to see one another. It's rather sweet. But when it is senior members of the department, they really should know better. It's not as if they do not have their own offices, through where a ticked-off postdoc is highly unlikely to be carrying something lethal.
If you're one of the offenders, please have some respect for your cow-orkers. Because there is nothing more chilling than a biologist dropping a little glass vial at your feet, and saying in a still, small voice,
"Oops".
Comments
You've a hit pet peeve of mine right on the head there..(an odd analogy...). If we (i.e. postdocs) did such thing I have no doubt we would be urged in no uncertain terms to stop (I want to use a stent or lipitor analogy here, but I can't think right now). I personally think it's a deliberate "look at us and how important we are" type thing. A form of social conditioning to us in our places...too busy and inexperienced to stand around idly shooting the scientific breeze.
Posted by: tideliar | November 22, 2006 07:39 AM