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subego · Jul 7, 2011, 05:52 PM

Laminar · Jul 7, 2011, 07:26 PM

???

subego · Jul 7, 2011, 07:52 PM

Hi Laminar!

It's really awesome to talk to you, but it would be even more awesome if you could be specific!

Thanks so much!

bstone · Jul 7, 2011, 08:26 PM

Sounds like they just want the mail carrier to do his/her job and they aren't home in order to ask him/her personally.

iMOTOR · Jul 7, 2011, 08:38 PM

Ellen Feiss has such a cute mouth.

subego · Jul 7, 2011, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by bstone

Sounds like they just want the mail carrier to do his/her job and they aren't home in order to ask him/her personally.

That would be "please put post in mail slot".

Doofy · Jul 7, 2011, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by subego

That would be "please put post in femail slot".

Fixinated.

andi*pandi · Jul 8, 2011, 08:44 AM

Compared to what you see at PassiveAggressiveNotes.com, this note is polite and to the point.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 09:48 AM

To me, that's what makes it extra obnoxious.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by subego

To me, that's what makes it extra obnoxious.

Well, there's no winning with you, is there?

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 10:03 AM

Of course there is.

Just give me a straightforward directive, don't throw all this manipulative shit on top of it.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by subego

Of course there is.

Just give me a straightforward directive, don't throw all this manipulative shit on top of it.

Some people don't take "straightforward" well.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 10:32 AM

IME, they take it better than being lied to, which is what the compliment is doing.

I'd so steal their Netflix.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 10:36 AM

The compliment is an illustration that they appreciate what the person does for a living. Otherwise it'll just come off as a terse command.

Doofy · Jul 8, 2011, 10:37 AM

DEAR POSTMAN,
PUT THE MAIL IN THE BOX OR WE WILL BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN AND STEAL YOUR PETS.
THANK YOU.
Caps.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 10:43 AM

I think my example could be tarted-up without resorting to the structure:

1) Thanks for delivering our mail safely.
2) With that out of the way, can you actually start delivering our mail safely?

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by subego

I think my example could be tarted-up without using the structure:

1) Thanks for delivering our mail safely.
2) With that out of the way, can you actually start delivering our mail safely?

Edit: We've officially reached the point where I no longer understand what you're trying to say.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 10:48 AM

I'm saying it can be done without that structure.

What I wrote there is what, in effect, the original note is saying.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 10:51 AM

How about we cut to the chase and you just post what you think the note should read?

Doofy · Jul 8, 2011, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by subego

I'm saying it can be done without that structure.

I'd like to see that.

Have people been forced into this kind of structure by a society where using anything other than that structure will result in the postman wiping his bum with your letters?

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

How about we cut to the chase and you just post what you think the note should read?

Andrew Jackson.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by subego

Andrew Jackson.

...

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Edit: We've officially reached the point where I no longer understand what you're trying to say.

andi*pandi · Jul 8, 2011, 11:07 AM

Where I come from, you tip for good service. Giving the postman money at this point would just be rewarding bad behavior.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 11:22 AM

Wouldn't most people consider it a bribe rather than a tip?

andi*pandi · Jul 8, 2011, 11:26 AM

Unless you're a lobbying firm, I don't think you can bribe a federal employee.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 11:58 AM

Is it really that tough to write a note without lying to the person?

Because of all the rain, our mail has been melting. We don't want to dump more work on you but it would really help us out if you could pop it in the slot.

Thanks much!

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:01 PM

"We don't want to dump more work on you"? Now who's lying? Isn't that their effing job?

SpaceMonkey · Jul 8, 2011, 12:03 PM

"Please keep our mail dry by putting it in the mail slot. Thank you!"

There, done.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

"Please keep our mail dry by putting it in the mail slot. Thank you!"

There, done.

SpaceMonkey · Jul 8, 2011, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

"Researchers have found that the homicide rates per 100,000 workers at postal facilities were lower than at other workplaces. In major industries, the highest rate of 2.1 homicides per 100,000 workers was in retail. The next highest rate of 1.66 was in public administration, which includes police officers. The homicide rate for postal workers was 0.26 per 100,000."

From Wikipedia, referencing: http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps12068/33994.pdf

subego · 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

"We don't want to dump more work on you"? Now who's lying? Isn't that their effing job?

If you have a house with a gate and a big yard, it's something of a two-way street. Most people here set up a box by the gate for that.

Edit: I'm making an assumption that there's some genuine impediment involved here, and that the carrier isn't being a jag just to be a jag. So, not only am I'm absolutely not lying, I'm actually expressing genuine appreciation for the effort, unlike the crock being passed in the original.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

"Researchers have found that the homicide rates per 100,000 workers at postal facilities were lower than at other workplaces. In major industries, the highest rate of 2.1 homicides per 100,000 workers was in retail. The next highest rate of 1.66 was in public administration, which includes police officers. The homicide rate for postal workers was 0.26 per 100,000."

From Wikipedia, referencing: http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps12068/33994.pdf

Oh come on, it wasn't serious! On a Friday no less.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by subego

If you have a house with a gate and a big yard, it's something of a two-way street. Most people here set up a box by the gate for that.

So either way they're full of shit. Either they want them to do their job or they want them to do extra work because they don't have an easier set up.

Spheric Harlot · Jul 8, 2011, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

DEAR POSTMAN,
PUT THE MAIL IN THE BOX OR WE WILL BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN AND STEAL YOUR PETS.
THANK YOU.
Caps.

Simpler:

IN THE BOX, BITCH.

SpaceMonkey · Jul 8, 2011, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

Simpler:

IN THE BOX, BITCH.

That's what she said.

SpaceMonkey · Jul 8, 2011, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Oh come on, it wasn't serious! On a Friday no less.

Just trying to ruin your buzz.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Just trying to ruin your buzz.

When I go postal over this, the blood is on your hands, AstroChimp (Oh I went there!).

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

So either way they're full of shit. Either they want them to do their job or they want them to do extra work because they don't have an easier set up.

I don't think asking someone to do extra work necessarily means you're full of shit, it just behooves one not to be a passive-aggressive jackoff about it.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by subego

I don't think asking someone to do extra work necessarily means you're full of shit

It does if you preface it with "We don't want to dump more work on you".

andi*pandi · Jul 8, 2011, 12:29 PM

Obsequiousness ≠ sincere.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

It does if you preface it with "We don't want to dump more work on you".

Well, I can only go so far into these people's heads and out of my own.

I actually wouldn't want to dump more work on them, so this would be a request until I lived up to my side.

I think my note still works without that preface.

Edit: I also know my carrier (who may be the same guy) and I know he's overworked, so it was hard to resist putting that in there. Mea culpa.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Well, I can only go so far into these people's heads and out of my own.

I actually wouldn't want to dump more work on them, so this would be a request until I lived up to my side.

I think my note still works without that preface.

Right, but in your initial attempt you still fell into the trap of trying to soften the blow. I just don't see why your initial style is any better than "Thank you for delivering our mail", which seemed to be your huge point of contention.

Spheric Harlot · Jul 8, 2011, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Right, but in your initial attempt you still fell into the trap of trying to soften the blow. I just don't see why your initial style is any better than "Thank you for delivering our mail", which seemed to be your huge point of contention.

True. He should have put that at the end of the message, rather than the beginning, for subtle but maximum impact.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 12:46 PM

There's nothing wrong with softening the blow.

What's wrong with the original note is that it's contradictory.

It's saying:

1) Thank you for doing X.
2) Now, will you actually start doing X.

The note is thanking the carrier for something that in reality the note writers don't think the carrier is doing.

SpaceMonkey · Jul 8, 2011, 12:49 PM

I think what they meant when they were writing it was basically "thank you for getting the mail safely from your distribution center to our house. Now can you make sure to put it in the mail slot so it remains safe until we pick it up?" Not really a contradiction as intended, but poorly written.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by subego

There's nothing wrong with softening the blow.

What's wrong with the original note is that it's contradictory.

So is "We don't want to dump more work on you" with the request.

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 01:13 PM

Okay... Sorry. I see where I got lost here.

I submit I'm a far lesser asshole than these people, so when I said "I don't want to dump any more work on you", I meant it.

A scenario wherein the note writer doesn't want the carrier to do more work wasn't what was being discussed, and a note fitting that scenario wasn't being asked for. The loss of focus was completely my mistake.

If you remove that part of the note I believe what remains is a not horrible example of something which contains no passive-aggression, is not a terse command, and offers a minor incentive to comply by offering the carrier the chance to feel good about themselves for being sympathetic.

Doofy · Jul 8, 2011, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

Simpler:

IN THE BOX, BITCH.

We have a winner!

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2011, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by subego

If you remove that part of the note I believe what remains is a not horrible example of something which contains no passive-aggression, is not a terse command, and offers a minor incentive to comply by offering the carrier the chance to feel good about themselves for being sympathetic.

Look how many posts and drafts it took to get to this. My free time is more valuable than worrying this much how my note may possibly be received.

(However my work time is not so valuable that I can't debate this ad infinitum)

subego · Jul 8, 2011, 01:34 PM

If it makes you feel any better, I was softening the blow. This is all your fault.