Swalton
> I gotta side with keith on this one.
> you have a chance to educate the public when ask these questions and you call it wasting time, So being vindictive you waste theirs, wow, this is why we as a profession are thought of as less than professional. then some ask why we aren't respected like other professionals. Geez Go figure. after 38 years i guess i don't get this attitude that you are displaing,
Your opinion is fine with me. Many times, I've done this to people that I know also, just to watch them spin their wheels. The most noted time was when I had the Chief of Police convinced of this and that he wasn't aware. That was truly epic when I got back to the office and found them both there upset. I laughed and now, so do they. 🙂
As far as wasting time, I don't hassle others when they're at work, so why should people hassle me? At any rate, I don't do it all the time, and you can be sure that if I pull the big one out, I have a good reason for it.
In any case, it's my life to do with how I choose. Thanks for caring though.
🙂
Ding Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner!
:good:
Rankin
Sorry, Ted made me do it! 🙂
Swalton
well as i said before, actions like yours are un professional and reflect on all of us. so coninue your childish ways. or grow up and be professional and educate the public.
I agree, Andy. When I was new to surveying, I often gave neighbors too much information that came back to my boss or the owner. I was in trouble more than once. Learned a long time ago to shut my mouth.
My typical response to the Are they building?, What are you surveying for? question is "I'm not sure, they don't tell me anything".
Often I get a look of "You're bull&%^$*^& me", but they know I'm not going to divulge information and they move on.
I use that too, or "that info is above my pay grade"..
Ya never know though, sometimes it will lead to another job.
"I'm beyond help, ma'am, but I'd be happy to answer any questions!"
I am usually asked those questions on most of the surveys that I do. I usually just tell the person that the property owner does not know exactly where his lines/corners are, and that I am just trying to get everything located and marked for him. Anything else they ask, I typically just tell them that I don't know exactly what or why; and that I was not told any reasons. If they persist, I mention client confidentiality.
I use these meetings as an opportunity to tell them who I am and hand them a business card. This is also a great opportunity to ask them (if they are an adjacent or nearby landowner) about the history of the lines or markers in the immediate area. I try to turn their inquiries into parole witness information, and usually glean a lot of good information from them. Most are happy to to tell what they know about the local lines and corners. However, it has also turned into long narratives about useless stuff, too. All in all, I try to educate and get useful information from people who sometimes turn into clients. I am for the edcuation route along with a "nice guy" attitude. People tend to be pretty sensitive about land lines and corner markers.
Harold
Now that is the professional approach, not the snotty kid stuff!
Swalton
Is it mighty lonely up there on that pedestal you're on looking down at us? 🙂
I used to get that a lot too. It seems less these days but my current job is out in the countryside a lot more too (fewer people around).
My pet theory on it is Surveying used involve a lot more labor so you are more likely to encounter Surveying experience of some kind among men above a certain age.
It seems dumb to you but most people have no idea what is that device you are using. Thinking about it I hardly ever see a person with an RTK rover on my travels around; seeing a Survey crew doing anything is rare enough. So they tie what they see with what is the most likely thing in their experience, it must be a camera.
Swalton
Since when is being professional being on a pedestal?
Yes, I think some folks notice the tripod first and they identify it with a camera.
But I do notice some folks are just having fun with you and just trying to engage in a friendly 'Hello" with a comment.
Of course, there are some who are completely oblivious to what a surveyor does and how they do it.
And there are the ones who say " I did a little surveying" way back when and they want to catch up.
And finally, there are the ones who don't like you or what you are doing on or near their 'turf', so to speak. It is best to avoid them.
You have to read the person, so both the flippant and professional replies are ok if the situation dictates it.
I know way back when that we would say highway, airport, prison to curious folks but in a way that they knew we were just jesting. And if they did not know we were jesting, then "Oh Well".
One of the worst experiences that I had was in my beginning days in surveying. One of my crew members called me on it. I was just being honest.
We were surveying a site for a strip mall along a highway. The rear line which was going to be a alley for truck deliveries abutted a s/d.
We were on-site when a woman came out of one of the rear houses and walked up and asked when the noise from the dozers and other construction equipment was going to stop. Her husband worked a night shift and it appeared that it was causing a lot of domestic problems. I told her probably soon but then the pile drivers would arrive and if she thought that this noise was bad, then it was only going to get worse. She asked me to explain pile driving and when I finished...she was weeping. I felt kind of bad.
Swalton
Amen Jim!
Swalton
My Mother taught me basic good manners. Jeez.
It seems like the only people who have a clue about Surveying are Surveyors, maybe 1 or 2 Attorneys and the occasional Civil Engineer. This is a huge problem, in my opinion. It's not like it is rocket science.
Dave
Mine taught me a sense of humor.
Jim
The second that one takes what is posted on a message board and assumes facts not in evidence and calls someone unprofessional. I never said I did it all the time. I've had HOURS AND HOURS wasted by people that I tried to help.
Some people though, need a good jerking around though.
> You have to read the person, so both the flippant and professional replies are ok if the situation dictates it.
:good:
That's what I say, too. Joking around has its time and place. And some people do come up with "stupid" or silly questions. I wouldn't degrade them, but geez, let me roll my eyes sometimes or relate them to some fellow surveyors.
