aarwenn from seattle found this note in her office’s cafeteria, which she says is a hot spot for bad writers with passive-aggressive issues. “of course,” she says, “here at Large Aerospace Company, a lot of us have ‘issues.’”
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123 responses so far ↓
#1 DrAstroZoom
Those friendly, flying insects were fucking delicious!
Although, actually … from the spelling, I’m thinking they found the Washington Nationals in their garbage, which would be a little weird.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:04 am rating: 0
#2 Mitsu
Those “NATS” were fucking delicious!
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:04 am rating: 0
#3 Mishee
Wow! This one is pretty good… I hate it when Nathaniels gather around my trash can…
Possibly not “over-spay” since the Nathaniels are apparently still breeding?
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:05 am rating: 0
#4 Mishee
Wow, my first FIRST… The Trifecta is complete…
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:06 am rating: 0
#5 Mishee
Oh, guess not… Maybe next time…
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:06 am rating: 0
#6 Candy
I thought it was spelled “Gnats.” Am I wrong? Where is M-W when you need it.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:06 am rating: 0
#7 Fraulein N
Whoever wrote this needs some “over-spaying.”
It almost looks like (s)he thinks NATS stand for something.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:07 am rating: 0
#8 Paul
Wow…I was aware that Network Address Translation could be found in recycling bins. Of course…if you meant GNATS I be happy to point you in the direction of and spray bottle near you.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:07 am rating: 0
#9 Mitsu
What the hell is “over-spay”? Is this a vet clinic or something?
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:07 am rating: 0
#10 Paul
heh…that’s what I get for typing up a message while troubleshooting a user problem on the phone. Murdering a statement like that leaves me feeling weak and hollow.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:12 am rating: 0
#11 Mishee
My mother-in-law worked at Lockheed Martin for years, as the onsite Verizon voicemail administrator - she once told me she doesn’t understand how these people get the rockets in the air, because they can’t do something simple like check their voicemail…
My dad is a laser/optical engineer… unfortunately most people like that are totally retarded when it comes to every day things - I suppose their brains are too busy pondering the big shit…
But “Nats”? “Over-spay”? There is a spell checker, and word did catch Nats - it suggested Knits and Nits, but not gnats! Weird!
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:14 am rating: 0
#12 Mishee
A “Large Aerospace Company” in Seattle…
hmmmm… I wonder who it could be!
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:15 am rating: 0
#13 Mitsu
True that. It’s funny how these aerospace people don’t use a spell checker. I suppose, in the heat of writing a PA note, they don’t think of these details!
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:17 am rating: 0
#14 ShagnBag
I’m thinking ‘over-spay’ is a calculated attempt to neuter these pesky NATS so they cannot breed or get any spray on their NAT hands or their NAT food, whatever that may be.
Other than the obvious typos and bad grammar, my favorite part of this note is the generous use of the Royal ‘We’. Smells a lot like Lundberg… mmm, yeah.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:18 am rating: 0
#15 Mitsu
Since when are gnats considered friends?
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:18 am rating: 0
#16 Mishee
I also like how they closed it by basically saying “Hey, if you can’t handle it, we can always call Maintenance - those are REAL men!” LOL!
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:22 am rating: 0
#17 Wade
DrAstroZoom
I went to a Nats game this summer. I think the disposall would be more appropriate than the recycle bin, lol
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:23 am rating: 0
#18 Wade
wouldn’t want the “over-spay” to get on the new cover sheets on the TPS reports, eh ShagnBag?
rofl
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:28 am rating: 0
#19 betty'sworry
I overheard a fellow teacher give the response ‘n-a-t-s’ to a student’s query about the correct spelling of said insects. She was the one who had introduced the word, too (into the topic). I ‘new’ she wasn’t ‘rite’ but didn’t want to embarrass her in front of the student. This is in the EFL/ESL game, and we blame the students constantly for their mistakes! To be fair, though, it isn’t a word that is that commonly used.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:28 am rating: 0
#20 Adam Amato
I lilke t live by WWIMD,
Iron Maiden would come in clear up the gnat problem, wash back a few pints, and kick your fucking asses for not calling on them first.
Problem Solved.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:30 am rating: 0
#21 A.A guy
If we find out that there exists a wholesale slaughter of gnats in seattle ,you can expect a visit from the rainbow warrior ASAP.
Green peace (insect division)
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:37 am rating: 0
#22 claw71
“NATS”
The caps and quotes make it clear that this is not a spelling but an acronym. Given that this is a “large aerospace company” based in Seattle it might be an inside joke referring to National Aerospace Technology Strategy. The “s” could also refer to “specialist” which might be a consultant/advisor assigned to oversee the transistion process.
I was actually going to make a joke about this being a racial slur (North African Tech Support) but then I remembered reading an article about how people in the aerospace industry were frustrated with some new technology issues.
This letter might not be a passive aggressive request for the janitor but rather a moderately clever jab at a stuffed shirt getting on everybody’s nerves.
Seriously, if somebody was so stupid as to spell gnats n-a-t-s, would they really bother going with quotes and caps?
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:39 am rating: 0
#23 Mishee
The “Rainbow Warrior”?? Are they sending a few queens from Castro District in San Francisco?
Wholesale slaughter? Is it cheaper when you do it wholesale versus retail prices???
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:40 am rating: 0
#24 Wade
If they would’t put food in the recycle bin, the “NATS” would stay away. Maybe a picture of a baby seal over the container would help. May I suggest:
http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2007/09/11/2-points-for-chutzpah-but-zero-for-originality/
thank you.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:43 am rating: 0
#25 Wade
oh, and the red ink is a nice touch, lol.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:45 am rating: 0
#26 zoe
In defense of the writer, I believe many spell-checkers ignore all-caps words. So NATS is partially excusable. Still moronic, but unavoidable.
Oct 25, 2007 at 9:54 am rating: 0
#27 Wade
spel-chekr alwys wroks fro me. oll
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:00 am rating: 0
#28 anglophile
I believe they are not NATS, but more probably fruit flies. No need to spray, just clean out the recycle bins, remove any food, and those suckers will all be dead in 48 hours.
How frequently the noble NAT is maligned when the evil fruit fly is to blame!
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:16 am rating: 0
#29 Wade
spell-checker has won weekness - homonyms, lol.
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:17 am rating: 0
#30 GhostWriter
How much of a goofball Janitor do you have to be, to attempt to spray Raid into a recycle bin, but somehow get it all over the food counter as well? I am picturing Jerry Lewis (he’s an older movie comedian for you babies weaned on Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler ) spraying the container, but the aeresol can takes on a life of its own, pulling his hand and body around the kitchen, spraying the counters, the cabinets, the toaster, in the fridge, under his arms and down his pants.
*Sigh* They just don’t make movies like that anymore…
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:25 am rating: 0
#31 Centaurea
1. I love how they specify “bug spray that could kill them.” Because it’s not sufficient to say “bug spray”–it has to be special bug spray with the extra power to kill the almighty gnat.
2. What, exactly, is over-spay? Is that Bob Barker gone wild? “Please over-spay and neuter your gnats!”
3. It’s such a classic P-A to not only tell someone to do it, but then tell them how, using “we” instead of “you.” As if speaking in third person somehow softens the blow of implying they can’t keep the spray to the bin.
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:35 am rating: 0
#32 JPav
Coming this fall, the masterminds who have brought us such shows as “COPS”, “SWAT” and “CHIPs” have joined forces to bring you “NATS”. Check your local listings.
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:45 am rating: 0
#33 Jen
Knowing people (namely an uncle) who worked at another aerospace engineering company, I am amazed that the author of the note didn’t include diagrams with correct trajectory angles that should best be used while attacking the dreaded gnats in the bin with the aerosal cans. I am also amazed the language wasn’t more technical - must not have been an engineer (or my uncle) writing the note.
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:50 am rating: 0
#34 lou fah
im glad they didnt call them gnats, cause gnats give me wood.
let he without sin cast the first stone.
this is me waving my freak flag high.
Oct 25, 2007 at 10:56 am rating: 0
#35 gdad
The note writer is assuming that the cleaning staff can even read English. I also agree with #28
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:00 am rating: 0
#36 Juliet
A large aerospace company in Seattle? Maybe there are a few… my Mom works at one of them. She didn’t write the note because my Mom can spell ‘gnats’. I’ll ask her if she’s seen this note.
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:05 am rating: 0
#37 Melissa
I am an engineer (although not an aerospace engineer, just a lowly environmental engineer) and I must sadly say that many engineers write like that and the author probably read that note over numerous times and found nothing wrong with it.
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:08 am rating: 0
#38 Wade
http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/NATS
National Activity to Test Software
National Aerospace Technology Strategy
National Air Traffic Services
National Association of Teachers of Singing
National Association of Textile Supervisors
National Men’s Soccer Team (US)
Natural Attenuation Test Site (Columbus AFB, MS, USA)
Natural Sounds (audio on videotape)
Naval Air Transport Service
Nebraska Association of Teachers of Science
New Aviation Tool Set
Nissan Anti-Theft System
NMCS AUTODIN Terminal Subsystem (US DoD)
North Avenue Trade School
My own personal choice:
Not Able To Spell
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:13 am rating: 0
#39 Mishee
National Association of Teachers of Singing? OMG… wow - everyone has a place to “belong” nowadays! LOL
But I do like Nissan Anti-Theft System…
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:23 am rating: 0
#40 shelly
I’m confused… Why was the staff cleaning out the recycle bins if they have janitors that get paid to do it?
I’m sure that “To: Janitors” pissed them off from the beginning. Thinking back to Half Baked… “It’s custodian, dick!”
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:24 am rating: 0
#41 Wade
It is hard to beat NMCS AUTODIN Terminal Subsystem. Only DoD can make an acronym out of acronyms, lol.
(National Military Command System)( Automatic Digital Network) Terminal Subsystem
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:35 am rating: 0
#42 WanderingPenguin
re: #28 - are you sure you don’t mean “froot flies”?
Also, how in the hell does the letter writer know that “we” do not want people getting bug spray on their food and hands unknowingly? Did he/she take a vote? Personally, I would think it hysterically funny if this were to happen and half the staff had to call in sick for a week or more. Don’t speak for me, jerk!
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:43 am rating: 0
#43 GVI
Why ask the janitors to not to “over spay” and then pull a “bless you heart” and say “we can call maintenance if you can’t do it.”
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:44 am rating: 0
#44 dawn
It would be so funny if the janitors marked this note up with a red pen and left it with a can of Raid.
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:45 am rating: 0
#45 Coke-aholic
I thought that janitors were the same as Maintenance. Are janitors below Maintenance? As in, “If you don’t get this done and do it right, we are going to call Maintenance!” (Think: am I gonna have to call your mom or are you gonna get it done?)
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:57 am rating: 0
#46 sweavo
passive agressive is sooooo in the eye of the beholder. Either I have asberger’s or it really is asking them whether they have any spray for the bugs.
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:59 am rating: 0
#47 Team Cassandra
Hey now, Mishee…let’s not trash those singing teachers! You never know who might be reading.
Can someone please tell me the difference between the “janitors” and “maintenance”?
Oct 25, 2007 at 11:59 am rating: 0
#48 Mishee
Janitors clean up all the shit messes everyone makes…
Maintenance does more like repairs and changing lightbulbs and stuff like that…
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:11 pm rating: 0
#49 Mishee
Maintenance is also sometimes known as “Facilities” - that’s what they call it at my work.
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:11 pm rating: 0
#50 Wade
When I worked at a university, the two groups I made friends with first were housekeeping(janitors) and maintenance. They appreciated the effort and would keep me informed about all kinds of stuff going on around the campus.
You never want to piss off someone with a long memory and keys to everything, lol!
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:21 pm rating: 0
#51 claw71
You’ve got to be careful with insect repellent. Just ask Joba Chamberlain about how OFF worked on those midges during the ALDS.
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:26 pm rating: 0
#52 claw71
Do janitors even read English anymore?
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:29 pm rating: 0
#53 Wade
sweavo
As in “Would you have any Grey Poupon?”
Interesting notion. Use of the subjunctive is a tricky thing in English. (Any thoughts, Troy?)
That next paragraph, though, seems to imply that the janitors, not the note writer(s), would be doing the cleaning (so we will need those also cleaned well).
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:30 pm rating: 0
#54 GhostWriter
I think the last part of the message got dropped off:
“Please let me know if you can do this, or if we are required to call maintenance …on your ass”
And if that doesn’t work, we’s gonna hafta get medieval on your ass.
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:46 pm rating: 0
#55 TeeHee
Well I’d much rather eat a nat than a gnat.
Oct 25, 2007 at 12:51 pm rating: 0
#56 Lara
Janitors=Subsitute for YOUR MOM (who doesn’t work here), cleaning up after you
Maintenance=Substitute for YOUR DAD (who also doesn’t work here), doing yard work and fixing electric outlets
I also love how the writer has to tell the poor guy/girl how to clean up after. He or she should know that this is likely to make said janitor refuse to clean off the counters, and in fact will probably make said janitor lay down an inch thick veneer of Raid.
Letter writer is going to have to stay all night to wash down the counters before any food touches now.
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:02 pm rating: 0
#57 A.A guy
I use raid when I run out of margarine,it’s both tasty and low on fat.
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:09 pm rating: 0
#58 Katzndogz
Methinks the condescending note-writer is going to get his or her telephone and keyboard rubbed on a janitor’s crotch.
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:29 pm rating: 0
#59 Pug Mom
To #11
I hear your mother-in-law about people who are book smart but common sense stupid. A friend of mine has a master degree in mathematics and can write computer code like nobody’s business. One day, the bottom drawer of the three drawers in his desk got jammed and could not be opened. He never thought of taking out the middle drawer to gain access to to the bottom drawer. He just kept yanking on the bottom drawer until he almost pulled the whole thing over. I just walked in, pulled out the middle drawer, reached in through the hole, and removed the ruler from the bottom drawer that was preventing the bottom drawer from opening. You should have seen the look on his face!
Yay me - first time posting here!
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:31 pm rating: 0
#60 Michelle
It’s not Nat’s fault you don’t know how to cook a decent omelette. He could teach you a few things.
http://www.dailyhero.com/2005/01/nat-bussigio.html
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:32 pm rating: 0
#61 lou fah
katzndogz
the janitor may rub his schlong/schlort all over my phone and keyboard, but he will be cleaning my piss off of everything else, including the ceiling. not to mention the occasional deuce ill be dropping here and there.
as martha says, “good times, good times.”
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:45 pm rating: 0
#62 cre8tivewmn
If the wise engineers would only tell their coworkers to rinse out their cans before recycling, there wouldn’t be an insect problem. (Maybe there is another note on the way?) I agree that fruit flies are more likely than gnats.
Here in the south, the word gnats is used frequently because the insects are frequently around.
I am kind of surprised that the note-writer (who cares about the earth and empties the recycling bin) advocates the use of bug spray.
Oct 25, 2007 at 1:46 pm rating: 0
#63 Team Cassandra
Ahh…re: janitors vs. maintenance. Thanks.
I was under the impression that janitors were now called maintenance personnel cuz it rubbed their egos the right way. and then they would refrain from rubbing their privates on our things. Honestly though, I think I’m referring to information retained in a school yard at around 10:15 on a Tuesday in 1985:)
I think the note writer in NOT Passive Aggressive by nature. This note reads like someone who is used to talking out her issues - its so conversational - almost as if she *needs* the second person there to help her work out all the many details of this dangerous yet honourable mission.
Ok - so she reads a little silly too. She seems sweet tho.
Oct 25, 2007 at 3:01 pm rating: 0
#64 Team Cassandra
*is* (dag!)
Oct 25, 2007 at 3:03 pm rating: 0