I just got an email from a client comparing the fun level of our last meeting to a painful dental procedure. It was in jest, true, and followed by a big ol' sloppy paragraph of praise. But why undercut the praise at all?We've all heard about people who can't take a compliment, but what about people who can't give one? Now, I've been known to make a joke at someone else's expense from time to time - but with a few key differences:
- I usually make fun of people in person (not in a broadcast email to a bunch of people who weren't even at the meeting). I do this in the hope that the person I am skewering might rise to the bait, fire back with a witty retort, and much hilarity will ensue.
- My jokes are way better. Root canal? Come on!
What is the most memorable backhanded compliment you've received (or given) at work? Leave your story in the comments.
2 comments:
I was sitting in a wrap-up meeting for a major site redesign. My boss was handing out praise, person by person (picture a line of dirty-faced orphans straight out of Dickens with bowls in hand waiting for their portion of gruel). The praise was prefaced with a detailed explanation of what their role/contribution to the project was (because after 5 months of 10-12 hour days and some weekends, it may not have sunk in yet).
I was the last person in the "praise line" I guess, and my boss (standing) just looked down at me and said ... "and Katy, well, I just wish she could be cloned."
Huh? And maybe there was some cake and punch, but the speaking part of that meeting was abruptly concluded with that very odd remark. I was baffled and admit that this orphan felt a little short-changed. My teammates responded within a few days by mocking up a Wired Magazine cover with an article about me being successfully cloned. I still have it.
I've occasionally gotten "Wow, you look so much better!" Er, why can't people just say "great"? Why do they need to imply that I looked like crap yesterday?
Post a Comment