10:05 a.m.. I’m minding my business, handling what needs to be handled at the computer, when I hear a loud whistle slice through the quiet. Not a casual whistle. A
I go right back to what I was doing.
Because if you need help, you ask.
If you whistle, you’re looking for a dog. not me.
A couple seconds later, I hear it again:
PsssssSSST.
Loud enough to shake the dead.
I look up. Same man. Same arm lifted like he’s calling down an angel.
I return to my work once more.
Clearly, whatever he needed wasn’t urgent enough to use his words.
But he must’ve thought the third time would be the charm, because then he clears his throat dramatically and hits me with another pssst like we’re in some back-alley espionage.
Now I’m irritated.
This time, I look at him long enough for the message to be delivered without saying anything. He motions for me to “come here” like he’s the king of the reference section.
Absolutely not.
So I told him calmly, that if he needed help or was trying to get my attention, this was the wrong way to do it. And if he genuinely needed assistance, the reference desk was right there. He could approach it like a full human being.
And guess what?
He suddenly didn’t need anything at all.
Stayed right where he was.
Stopped all the sound effects.
Didn’t wave. Didn’t whistle. Didn’t pssst.
The need disappeared the moment he realized respect was required.
Sometimes people don’t want help, they want control.
And the second they learn you don’t answer to whistles, their urgency evaporates.
A small reminder for the day:
You teach people how to treat you by what you answer to.
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