Blackberries – How Hard Are They to Use?
February 1st, 2009
Someone “high up on the food chain” has a Blackberry. Now, we all know that’s not really all that unusual. I mean, there are KIDS out there with their own Blackberries, of course. But, one would think that someone with a bit of intelligence should have some idea on how to use a Blackberry, however, if not…just ask someone. One would think this would be the way to learn how to use it. Not in this case.
So, about 7:30 one evening I was working in the office on a project when I got a phone call from another “higher up” about the “big boss’” (BB; not for Blackberry but for “big boss”) Blackberry. Seems the BB simply didn’t know how to use it and was demanding a new one. That’s right, folks, a new unscathed, virginal Blackberry. Rather than initially giving in, I thought it might be an idea to gently educate the BB on the Blackberry (I may be grumpy but I know who signs my paycheck!). The other “higher up” asked me to come down to the BB’s office where I could give an overview.
On the way down to the office, I heard yelling. Yelling? Over a Blackberry? I thought they were supposed to HELP people. OMG, what was I thinking?? Needless to say, I walked into the office and was immediately inundated with a barrage of “morally uplifting” spewage about how “stupid this BB is” and “I thought a monkey was supposed to be able to use this!!!” (yup, not making that one up). Suddenly, because the BB didn’t know how to use the Blackberry, it was MY problem for this oversight, i.e. “How come you didn’t TRAIN the BB on how to use the Blackberry???” to which I replied, “hell, I didn’t even KNOW the BB was GETTING one!” (I learned later that I was also the Blackberry expert of the company. Guess I missed that memo.)
Trying to calm the BB down, I suggested that I take a look and see if I could help the BB simply learn how to use it. Not good enough. It was then “demanded” of me to go to the store that sells Blackberries (you probably know which store I’m referring to, dear readers) and get a NEW one to which I replied (mistake on my part) “you want me to get a new Blackberry to replace this perfectly working one?” After being hit with a big “YES, YOU IDIOT!” I walked out with Blackberry in hand.
On my way to the store, seething from the interaction that just transpired, I was determined to tell the sales rep to tell ME that they wouldn’t give me a new Blackberry for the BB simply because the BB was too ignorant to sit down and learn how to use it. Fortunately, the sales rep did exactly that. Now I had my ammunition to tell the BB that the multi-billion dollar Blackberry company wouldn’t give me a new one because our “little-in-their-eyes” BB simply demanded it. I also got the sales rep’s contact info and a “please have the BB call me if there’s a problem.”
So, on my way I go back to work (it’s going on 8:45pm now, mind you) to let the BB know what the rep said and to whom I also gave the rep’s phone number. Another barrage of verbiage to colorful to repeat here commenced until the BB finally ran out of steam to which I simply replied “will there be anything else?” In response, I was thankful and somewhat elated to get a defeated “no” muttered to me. Grumpy Tech, exit stage right.
Ironically I never did hear whatever happened to that event. I know the BB walks around with the Blackberry and has even taken calls on it in the midst of all-company meetings (the BB is “so cool!!!”) Perhaps my sales rep friend saved the day to whit I thank.
Now whenever someone asks me to add their email address to their brand-new, virginal Blackberry, I just smile and suggest they ask the BB for the BB’s experience of the Blackberry. Funny that they never come back to me after that.
