Do you talk to the computer?

@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
June 24, 2011 8:44am CST
I have noticed that some of my colleagues talk to the computer screen when they are doing work. At first I did not aware that new colleague has such a habit. He was reading emails, and kept talking to himself. I thought that he had asked me a question, and I kept asking him, "pardon? What is your question?" After a few days, I realize that he is not talking to anyone. It seems that he needs to talk to the computer when using the computer. Do you have such a habit?
3 people like this
20 responses
@Matpunk85 (1066)
• Italy
24 Jun 11
Yes, sometimes I talk to my computer, but I especially insult it At least once a week something goes wrong with computer and this make me get angry and if I lose some important file or the job I'm doing I insult it very much...but it never reply me!
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Matpunk, I had experienced it a few times. I also responded with many vulgar words directing at the computer. On hindsight, it was very stupid. The computer did not even bother with it. I hate it especially when I was about to finish composing a very long email, and then the stupid computer hang. I would have to do it all over again.
• Philippines
24 Jun 11
LOLL.Your colleague sounds ridiculous or funny.I never heard the same case as that before.I never talk to my computer ever since.You colleague may have some mental illness.You should check your colleague for hallucination,delusions or illusion.check him also for any abnormalities or other symptoms.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Haha Malingkatka, I think he just never realized how loud he is! Anyway he is not the only one who keeps talking to his computer. I only did that when someone sent a nasty email or the stupid computer hang in the midst of work. I would burst out angrily and cursing the person or the computer. Another colleague always had problem with her printer, and she ended up hitting the stupid printer. I think we can find many funny things if we are observant enough.
@GemmaR (8517)
24 Jun 11
I don't do this any more, but I did used to. I had to stop because I found that I was doing it not only when I was at home, but also when I was at university. A lot of people would think that I was talking to them, leading to some very embarrassing moments in relation to this. Therefore, I made a conscious effort to stop, and I have been very successful in doing so, so far so good. It's fairly normal though as a lot of people like to talk through their thoughts as they enter their head, as it helps them to work through them.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi GemmaR, I think you must have a hard time stopping that. Most people have a habit of thinking aloud when they were doing very tough mathematics problems. I think they just did not realize it. And then when they started working, they did not know that they are talking to the computer screen. it is a very common thing to do, and for some people, thinking out loud helps them to organize their thoughts.
• United States
24 Jun 11
The only time I talk to my computer is when I am working on a research project abd the computer is acting up. Last week I had an argument with my printer and it won because it was put of ink. Usually when I am low I can takeit out and bang it on a table to get a little more out of it, but that particular night it was not budging. I had to go to Walmart at 3AM to get ink.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Randylovesdar, haha, that is funny! Hardly anyone scolds or argue with the printer! Fortunately your printer does not know how to answer back! You would have a heart attack if your printer starts to scold you for mistreating it, and blaming it for nothing. I have seem some colleagues hitting the printer when paper jam or other problems happen. I think they are even worse than you!
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
24 Jun 11
Well a lot of people seem to talk to the computer. I do admit that I am one of those people without any shame. There are a lot of times where a lot of my talking is just saying a various program on the computer to please work. Or a less polite version of that to say the very least to say the least. Yet there are a lot of times where I just happen to be thinking out loud a lot of the time. Granted on the computer is really not the only place that I do something like that. There are many other places where I tend to really do a lot of thinking out loud. However it is really not all that strange for me to be found muttering or looking at the computer. It tends to catch some people off guard when there happens to be a lot of people still around. Still it is something that is all too common with me. Often times, I really would not really notice I was doing that, unless someone pointed me that. To me that is the strangest part of the situation.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Megamatt, I can understand that. I even get used to my colleague talking to the computer screen. i think some people just need to voice out, so that they can do things better. i can understand that when you want to write a lengthy email, you may voice out a few sentences, and see if they make sense. Fortunately you do not do that when you are watching a movie in the cinema. It will be perfectly irritating to the other movie goers.
@jimmytai (204)
• Malaysia
24 Jun 11
I not talking with my computer, but i always smile at anywhere. Then my many friend ask will ask me, what i thinking, so funny? haha. i very like thing something is pass and funny , that include my real life and also movie. I just have cry to the computer, when i watch the drama.
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@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Jimmytai, you are even funnier than my colleague. It is funny enough to see a person talking to the computer, yet you are smiling and crying when you face the computer screen. I think if those people do not know you well enough, they would think that you are mad! I think most of us would have different expressions when we are at work, and facing the computer screen whole day. Some of us just frown at the computer screen when we read nasty emails or having problems with formulas.
• United States
24 Jun 11
No... not unless I'm yelling at it for one reason or another. But that's usually the computers at school. My personal computers don't act up nearly as much. If I'm yelling at a computer then I'll call it a piece of junk and threaten to throw it out the window a few times. It usually doesn't scare the computer into working. lol What is he talking to the computer for? Does he read stuff aloud or is he literally trying to chat with the computer? That is a strange habit, but no more strange than anything else that I've ever heard of.
• United States
25 Jun 11
Lol he would really be gone then. That would be cause for concern. But just talking out loud while writing, that's really not that weird. I know lots of people who do that... with varying degrees of loudness and embarrassment at their own behavior. And I bet the computer doesn't even work right when you start cussing at it, right? lol Those darn pieces of junk technology. They should listen when we yell at them.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
26 Jun 11
Hi Allyoftherain, when the printer stops working, my colleague even hit on it many times. It still refuses to work. This happens a lot after the weekend, and the public holiday. I think the printers and copiers in my office suffer from Monday blue as well. Just too bad that computer never listens to us. We have to listen to it, and it controls practically half of our working hours. If the computer crashes, we would have to do more work, and re-do everything from scratch.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Allyoftherain, I did that too! When I was in the midst of something, and the stupid computer hang. I would have responded with a lot of cussing words. I think my colleague is just thinking out loud. When he is writing an email, he would talk and write, and if the sentence does not sound right, he will re-phase the sentences again and again. Fortunately he has not started to greet the computer or befriend the computer. We would have sent him to the mental institution.
1 person likes this
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
25 Jun 11
Haha...that maybe a mannerism of your office mate, friend. Because there are people something like. Even me when I was in college. I talk to myself when I answer my assignment.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jun 11
Hi Aerous, if you are a top student, and you talk when you are answering the examination questions, everyone will know the answer! I think many students have this habit, especially when they are doing mathematics questions. Most people will learn to keep quiet as they grow older. However, some people still have the habit of talking to computer or to their dog or to the printer or whatever else. I think they probably never realize how funny they are.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
25 Jun 11
So far, i don't have this kind of weird attitude, talking to the computer. If i do, i think whole my family members will be thinking that i am crazy... But, i do remembered that i do came across one of my ex-colleagues have this kind of attitude. In fact, every morning before she begin her work, she will greet her computer and printer "good morning". She said by saying so, they will not create problem to her. So far, indeed it is truth when i was still working with her.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
27 Jun 11
Yes, indeed. But, the most weird thing is, it is really work much smoother when we greet the printer and computer. My colleague said, although they are not living things but they need some pampering words to motivate them working....
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jun 11
Hi Myfb, that is funny! I have not seen anyone saying good morning to the computer or printer or copier in the office. The most I ever said to the computer is "stupid computer". No wonder the system is always so slow, and the printer always got problem. I think the computer and printer are suffering from Monday blue after a long weekend. At least I did not hit the printer when it is not working. Some of my colleagues really hit the stupid printer very hard to make it work. Sometimes it works, and sometimes not.
@raj_gupta (311)
• India
24 Jun 11
I do spend a lot of time with my system but don't talk to it! I have a habit of talking to self as well but mostly when I am walking. I have seen a few like that as well. When I was a kid and played games on system, I used to say encouraging words to myself, that's the closest I have been to talking to my computer. By the way, if you have overheard them, anything interesting...
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Raj, I think nearly everyone has the habit of self talking, but not aloud. Hardly anyone has the habit of thinking aloud. Even when I am walking, and thinking about something, I do not talk aloud. I know that some people have such habits. It is just weird to have a few colleagues who like to talk to the computer screen. Nothing special about the things they talk about. They are mostly reminding themselves to do something or they are trying out a sentence or two before writing it down in email.
• Pamplona, Spain
24 Jun 11
Hiya scheng, I might just say something about those e-mails that you get sometimes that you delete. I don´t get annoyed with them I just trash them but I also might say something to go with it but I am not talking to the computer Screen either. Suppose some People might though but they don´t think anything of it either. Perhaps it´s just become a habit of theirs same as when you might say something about what is on the Television at that very moment too. Probably something you don´t like is going to be on and you exclaim oh no not again and you are on your own just an example (grin). Computer is part of our lives now for better or for worse and I think most of treat them as part of the Family although not altogether of course.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Lovinangel, I think my colleague just has a habit of thinking out loud, and he needs to hear his voice in order to work. Just seem so funny to have him talking to the computer the whole day. When he was on leave, the whole office was very quiet. Even the noise of the air conditioner seemed very loud. When I get annoying email, I would get angry and some vulgar words would go out. I think some of us have such tendency. When we read emails sent by unreasonable bosses, we would start cussing them!
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@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jun 11
Hi Lovinangelsinstead, same here, I would make noise when I receive this kind of rubbish emails too. It is a waste of time to read even the title of the email. Fortunately we do not have the habit of reading out loud whatever we write or want to write, otherwise everyone will know that we talk to the computer nearly eight hours a day. Talking to dog is different from talking to the computer. At least dog can respond with different body language, but computer responds with "beep, beep, beep" when it has technical problem.
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
25 Jun 11
Hiya scheng, Yes when I get e-mail like that is real rubbish I sometimes say a thing or two out loud and I trash them and forget them. I used to have a Parrot and talk to her a lot so I think it´s the same kind of thing. I see People talking to their Dog out loud in the Street and for me again it´s the same kind of thing. Same thing when I see the News come on with all the usual round of junk sometimes I am saying to the Television but not really to the Television "time to switch off" (grin). Oh yes I have had one or two of those e-mails as well not from any Boss but real nasty ones so I was cussing a bit then as well.xxx
• India
26 Jun 11
I do not have such habit.But sometimes some of the e-mails makes me to speak.I have seen some people, who may be thinking to answer or respond some question in myLot like forum, they may sometime, speak to themselves to correct their answer in mind.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jun 11
Hi Venka, yes, sometimes when some emails are annoying, I will speak out loud too. Those are the words that are not very nice. i seldom say things that are nice when the computer gives me problem, such as hanging in the middle of a long email that I am composing. I would have to do it all over again! The printer is another one that causes problems. Sometimes it prints out trash for no reason. Sometimes it refuses to print at all. I will scold and scold to no avail. Still I am better than my colleague who starts to hit the stupid printer.
@babyanna (1216)
• China
24 Jun 11
Hi,scheng! Yup,I have seen almost every friend of mine doing it.I do it sometimes as well.Especially when we are watching movies or TV series on the computer.But yeah,this usually leads to someone around you asking "pardon?".Sometimes it's funny to listen to what other people are talking to their computers,or actually,to themselves. Just think they are having a little fun while doing it. Have a nice day~
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
24 Jun 11
haha, Babyanna, fortunately not all my colleagues do that. It will be very funny to see a whole office of colleagues talking to the computers every minute. That will be very noisy. I only do that when some emails or news make me angry. Then I will explode and start cursing. I think that is even worse, maybe can cause heart attacks to my colleagues
1 person likes this
@wow2dong2 (204)
• Malaysia
24 Jun 11
I didn't has such habit. Isn't it weird if talking to the computer screen? That's because sometime when i watching some drama series which is funny, and i will feel weird to laugh alone also. So, your friend didn't tell you what is the reason he talk to the computer screen by himself?
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Wow2dong2. I think it is a very common sight in the offices. I think some people just have the tendency to talk aloud. One of my friends has a very irritating habit of talking while watching TV. She would just air whatever opinion she has when she watched the show. For example, when she sees that the actress is crying pitifully, she would say something like, "don't cry, this kind of man is not worth it." My friend is definitely not a good companion if you want to enjoy the movie. I think my colleague is far better, since he is just talking to the computer screen.
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
25 Jun 11
haha sometimes.. i do! well i admit i i often talk to the computer especially if i am doing something and the computer is not cooperating.. or it is working very slowly... i would be caught talking to the computer. hehe
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jun 11
Hi Chiyosan, at least you do not talk to the computer all the time. That is what my colleague is doing. He talks practically all the time when facing the computer. He can even talk when doing filing! Fortunately he speaks softly, otherwise everyone will know what he is writing or doing at any time. I think most of us scold the computer when it hangs or scold the printer when it is not working.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
25 Jun 11
For me not I would prefer to not know us in the computer i would preferable in person.
• Philippines
25 Jun 11
yes, i do talk to the computer giving it commands. I say something and the computer does what i say. i say something to type and it does type what i say... if i'm gonna learn computer programming and engineering, perhaps i will make a program as my deflector to talk with...
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Jun 11
Hi Carsocmaguinsay, if you want to learn computer programming and engineering, you can set a program that takes after the nagging of your mother. For example, when it is lunch time or dinner time, the computer will scold the user, and nags at him until he goes for his meals. If the user spends too much time on the computer, the computer will nag him on the importance of exercing. I think everyone dares not use the computer too much, not even in playing online games for hours and hours in this case.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
24 Jun 11
You friend could be a very stressed person. Come to think of it, I silent read (silent as in sometimes i verbalize what i read softly too). LOL...maybe I am also highly stressed???? I should spend more time trying to "pian" the office girls instead, I guess?
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Tiffnkeat, I do not think he is very stressed. He does not seem to do anything at all, except for making a lot of noise. Maybe he sounds busy without doing anything! If that is the trick, I would have to learn it too. Maybe when bosses see you start talking to your computer, they would send you to the mental institute. Then you can stay there and destress!
• Indonesia
25 Jun 11
I'm not talking with computer but sometime enjoy te moment when I spend my time with my computer.Now it's a lifestyle since everything available on internet and computer become very important.I will so excited in certain moment but not ignore people around me
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi Redvakaurvaki, I enjoy surfing the net, and especially spending my time here or elsewhere to earn some money. Fortunately I do not have such habit of talking to the computer too. I think people will stare at me if I use the laptop in a busy cafe, and start talking to the laptop. I hope you do not show your excitement when you use the computer in public. It may scare off some kids who do not know what you are doing.
@AishaBR (345)
• United States
24 Jun 11
Lol yep have this habit. I talk to the computer when i'm chatting to someone reading an email or watching something on it. I also do the same thing while i'm watching tv and I think the person did something stupid I say why did you do that for you so stupid lol. I also have that habit with my phone when I get a text message, I say out loud what I am going to write and then text it to whom ever.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
25 Jun 11
Hi AishaBR, I think if you have gone for a movie, those movie goers would ask you to keep quiet, or kick you out of the cinema. I wonder what your friends and colleagues think about your habit of talking to the computer. When my colleague went on leave, the office was really quiet. We could even hear the air conditioner humming when he was not around. Fortunately most of us do not think out loud. Otherwise the whole office would be noisier than a fish market.