Not so long ago, our business had a visit from a nice lady psychologist from the Health And Safety At Work people. She wanted to find out how things were with regard to staff welfare, psychological wellbeing and so on. I considered repeating the old joke 'You don’t have to be crazy to work here, but it helps', but thought better of it. Some of these government officials have no sense of humour.
One of the things that came up was that the staff don’t always know when and when not to approach me. Personally, I would have thought that if they can see that I am crouched over the workbench with an eyeglass in my eye, trying to place a screw little bigger than a grain of sand in a watch with a pair of needle-like forceps, then that would be a pretty BAD time to try and distract my attention, but the nice psychologist lady thought that if I were to make some kind of ’Do Not Disturb’ sign, then that would remove any doubt.
'Good Idea', thought I. So a few days later I presented this proposal to the workforce:
One of the things that came up was that the staff don’t always know when and when not to approach me. Personally, I would have thought that if they can see that I am crouched over the workbench with an eyeglass in my eye, trying to place a screw little bigger than a grain of sand in a watch with a pair of needle-like forceps, then that would be a pretty BAD time to try and distract my attention, but the nice psychologist lady thought that if I were to make some kind of ’Do Not Disturb’ sign, then that would remove any doubt.
'Good Idea', thought I. So a few days later I presented this proposal to the workforce:
I think it should do the trick
(For the benefit of those few of you not fluent in Danish it says 'Please go away, I'm busy')
7 comments:
It should do the trick. I take it they all understand the words above.
Alfie: Yes, that particular phrase is pretty international.
I think that should suit the government lady very nicely.
Were you fluent in Danish before you moved there?
I assume that you'll be pasting the sign on your arse, for ease of viewing whilst crouched over a workbench? Now, there's a HNT idea! ;)
Nitebyrd: Well, the staff saw the funny side, so we had it printed out and laminated.
H. made it quite clear from the start that if we were to have a future together it would be in Denmark, so I started learning way back in 1977. I wasn't fluent by the time we moved here but I pretty soon became it. The kids still pick up on my mistakes and tease me mercilessly about them, though!
Angie: Good to hear from you again! The nice psychologist lady suggested a sign on the wall, but I like your idea better LOL. (Admit it, you just want to see my 'Builder's Bum').
Very succinct :)
Cake: Fortunately, the girls saw the funny side and insisted I printed it out and laminated it!
Post a Comment