The kitchen in my office has a schnazzy electric bagel slicer. That is, until this morning, when I watched a very clueless consultant (who probably makes three times my salary) stuff a bagel in from the wrong direction and break it. He just sat there, holding the button down for longer and longer intervals, as if somehow that would make the knife blades magically reattach to the gears. In order to save myself the annoyance of hearing more whining-gear noises, I put a little sticky note on it to keep others from trying the same thing.
Bad idea. A little note saying "Broken" was really an irresistably exciting test of skill for the 50+ engineers who all use that kitchen. One after another they wandered in, noticed the sign, and thought "I'll bet I can fix it!" At times whole groups clustered around it anxiously, trying to get a look, each believing so implicitly in their own problem-solving prowess. And that annoying, grinding, broken-bagel-cutter noise wafted into my cube, over and over again, until the janitor finally wheeled it away on his little cart.
Heh, that's pretty funny. In a pantry used by bankers, they'd call their assistant immediately and have them overnight a new one right away. I mean, you can't expect bankers to live one full day without the amenities they've gotten so used to. Like bagel slicers. And a Starbucks on every corner. :)
which s-o-b consultant broke our bagel slicer!? nothing's worse than cutting a bagel in half with a measly plastic knife. argh, I bet he works for Accenture!