why are IT people so rude?

Question

I have been in IT for almost 10 years now and when i first started i was arrogant, ignorant, egotistical and rude of course but eventually over the last few years i have realized you can not treat people the way IT people do its not good business practice and just down right stupid behavior, just because you are good at your field does not give you the right to step on people who are less knowledgeable then you are and also they think they are better, i dont know i am just so different with people now than i was years ago, it just frustrates me to work with people that behave this way. share your thoughts with me

an it person is information technology, computers and more

i am not certified in anything, i have a BS degree in information systems security and i am looking to network with people in the IT field to progress my career. thanks for your feedback

certs are good but nowadays they are useless. companies want experience over certs but it does help just a tad. i do plan on though getting CCNA becuase i like networking a lot.

he has an atitude because he hates his job or life one or the other

Answer 1

Most of the time, IT people are of above-average intelligence. This tends to give them a type of arrogance, when they think of how the football player messed with them in high school, and now NEEDS them because he can't get his computer to work with ease. The IT pro tends to get a God Complex because they know things that are vital to our society, and without those people, our world, as we know it, would shut down. This arrogance comes into play whenever they think of the "idiot" that is on the other end of the line that can't figure out this thing that comes so easily for them. What they need to realize is that, without that person that can't figure out what it is that they know, they would not have a job. If everyone was "computer literate", and the world is fast becoming so, there would be no need for them. They should be respectful and kind to those seeking their help, for there may come a day when, like the technology they try to make operate correctly, THEY may become obsolete.

Hope this helps...

Answer 2

Actually, most of the IT people I know at work and elsewhere are very nice people. They may come across as rude because their field requires them to be direct and concise...they don't say "please" and "thank you" to the machines they work on all day...computers just want the facts!

In fact, I alot of the IT people I know were attracted to computers because they don't have strong "people skills"...they have a different "temperment"...and their work with machines doesn't help them develop those skills. When they have to shift gears to dealing with people, they aren't able to do so...they deal with people the same way they deal with the machines...and how many times have you cussed out your computer when it won't do what it is supposed to do!

As for frustration with people who are less knowledgeable about computers, I also find that understandable...people can be VERY frustrating when it comes to computers. I have a marketing background and I'm a teacher so I have good people skills...but when I started teaching online classes, I wasn't prepared for dealing with people that choose a job (or a class) that requires them to work on a computer but don't understand even the most basic facts about the way one operates! I remember reading once that a major computer manufacturer changed the word "any" to "enter" in the phrase "hit any key to continute" because they got too many calls from people that couldn't find the "any" key!...even if it isn't true, I could fill a book with similar statements made by my online students...and all of them ARE true.

Fortunately, I had student evaluation survey results to show me how some students were receiving my "rude" or "condescending" comments and I'm much better at dealing with people that can't (or won't) read and follow simple instructions.

You're certainly correct that it isn't good business to be rude to customers...perhaps the average IT person would benefit from customer evaluations followed by some training so they can see the negative impact of their actions AND learn how to do something about it!

Answer 3

I think that to go into the IT field you have to have a certain type of personality. That type is very structured, this step followed by that step in a pretty much linear route to the only correct way to do something.

The non-computer people, don't think the same way, so that IT people can't give a step-by-step, and it frustrates them and makes them think the person is stupid, because they can't follow the most simple computer rules.

So you mix number people, that many times aren't social, with social people, who aren't good with numbers.

It's like an animal hater trying to teach a dog to do tricks. The dog isn't going to learn, and the hater will be angry because the dog is so stupid. The dog isn't stupid, you just have to have some skill with animals.

Answer 4

I think part of the problem is that most of IT is handling user's questions and after you've heard the same question 30 times in a row ... it begins to sound inane.

My favorite was when the power went out just as a guy was walking by my cubicle and he said (without even stopping) "The network is hosed."

Its a service business ... and a lot of the people who got into it thought of themselves as engineers first and foremost.

Thing is - people who can solve the problems (and can stand solving them over and over again) are SO valuable that they don't get fired for their personality flaws. This means that they collect there... That is, they would be fired doing anything else.

In any case, lead by example. "The customer is always right" is BS, but its a good place to start.

Answer 5

Rudeness, lack of manners and selfishness have become the cornerstones of a lot of people, maybe the business you are in allows personnel to feel that they are "above it all" because they are at the beacon call of those in need. I don't find it to be just business-related stupidity and arrogance, honey it's everywhere (and these people are not educated either)!

Answer 6

It's just from dealing all day with people who are using an instrument (computer) for YEARS and stil don't know the most basic things about them. It's simple human nature to be disdainful in that situation.

Answer 7

It's true! They are quite arrogant. I'm supposing it's because some things people ask are quite simply resolved.. And they find this stressful to work with people who are a step below them in their knowledge. It's good that you realized that this was wrong, because it makes your job and the one asking for help feel a lot easier and rewarding!

Answer 8

I have been in the IT business for 15 years. You will find people that talk down to you, treat you poorly, and act with arrogance in any business.
My advice is to stay ontop of your game, be sharp and document everything CYA (cover your ***). It is a tough world out there!!

Answer 9

I hate our IT director, he is exactly like you described! Our copier is always broke and he always blames me for it. Last time, i said very rudely..."yes it was me, because i'm the only one in this office that uses it". He just grunted and walked away.

Can't answer your question though, i don't know why he has such an attitude!

Answer 10

I've been a victim of IT snobbery. It's fun to see the perpetrators' faces when you point out you've been in IT for nearly 30 years and are Microsoft certified.