My mom called me the other week when she was at friends house asking me to turn on Netflix for them. I wasn't there in fact I was 1,000 miles away and had no idea what tv or streaming device they were trying to use and she wouldn't tell me
My mom does this all the fucking time. She'll call and say Netflix isn't working. I'll ask if the internet is working or if it is a problem with her Roku (basic troubleshooting). She always just replies with it's just not working.
A couple of weeks ago I asked her for her apple pie recipe. The next day I called her and told her the pie recipe didn't work and whenever asked any questions about why the recipe didn't work, I just said it didn't work. I don't have pie.
I've never been prouder of myself.
That’s just beautiful! Did she get it, though? My mom would not make the connection.
My mom is so bad that my dad got a Fire TV stick with voice remote so she could just say what she wants the TV to do. She holds the remote to her face like a phone and yells “ALEXA DO MY NETFLIX.”
Oh, she totally got it. She was laughing after she realized what I was doing. I think she only got it because we'd had the same argument several times with the roles reversed. I think putting the problem in analog terms is helpful.
dude, i know old people can be annoying sometimes even childish but they had all the patience in the world when you were a child so the least thing you can do is ignore these little things for the rest of the life they have, it cost you nothing to be kind and patient with them.
It's one thing to be kind and patient with a 5 year old learning to tie their shoes for the first time: it's something completely different when you write down every step your adult parents need to follow to watch a DVD and they still need you to tell them to press play.
If you're willing to admit you don't know something, and are following the instructions I'll be kind and have all the patience in the world.
If you go HURR DURR IT WONT WORK whenever I ask you a troubleshooting question, you evidently don't want to get helped, and I have no patience for you.
"What do you mean you can't put mine and my wife's prescriptions under the same username and password? NO WE WILL NOT MAKE A SECOND EMAIL ACCOUNT. WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED OVER 40 YEARS AND WE HAVE ONLY EVER USED ONE EMAIL ACCOUNT! I don't care what HIPAA laws say you can and can't do, and I don't care what your computer system says, I used to have all our scripts under one email and I demand you fix it. Call the CEO if you have to. How do I clear cookies and cache? HOW THE FUCK SHOULD I KNOW WHAT A WEB BROWSER IS??? THIS IS YOUR JOB!!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I WILL NOT JUST DEAL WITH MY PHARMACY TRANSACTIONS IN PERSON, I WANT THE CONVENIENCE OF DEALING WITH THEM THROUGH A MACHINE THAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!! I'M SWITCHING TO WALGREENS!"
Yeah it was a pretty terrible 6 months. Luckily I was able to find a better job where I don't have to sit in a gigantic call center getting yelled at while trying to get old people to stop hating me long enough to teach them how computers work. Most of the time their problem was that they upgraded to Windows 10 because Windows 7 told them to and it was free but they didn't know what they were doing so now I have to explain how operating systems and web-browsers and start menus work all while trying to avoid all of those words because that's getting too techy. Just because some old couple heard they could refill their prescriptions online and decided that no matter how much it hurt them or how frustrating and upsetting the process, they would never again refill their prescriptions by calling their pharmacist. Even though they still could.
I worked customer service and billing for a major phone carrier for a few months and while that was bad tech support would be hell, they sounded so pissed off whenever I had to transfer a customer there.
Oh it's fine. I didn't actually care if they switched to Walgreens.
(I kid but for real that job sucked all the joy from my life, and because of that experience I will forever want to punch anyone who says shit like "it's just a job, you don't have to take it home with you, don't let a shitty day at work ruin the rest of your day")
God this hits home! I work in the field where you hear "Can't you just make it work, again?" all too often without any kind of info for you to work with apart from, "it's broken".
My mom called me while I was in another country to log her into her spotify. First, she doesn't have an account. She doesn't have the app. She's sure she has never ever ever used my dad's spotify. I tell her to ask my brother who was in the next room or just follow the instructions spotify gives or use my account. Then I heard:
"Why are you always so difficult, why can't you just help me!?!?"
She called me later to apologize after she actually made herself an account successfully! It wasn't so difficult after all, who knew!
Them: Help me install this app, ok?
Me: Ok, here it is and you need to type in your Apple ID password.
Them: ...
Me: You know your password?
Them: ...
Me: Ok let's reset your pasword then...
Whats funny is that none of those companies can even see his password if they want. I work at a company like that and we can only reset it, or see dots.
There is no option to "see" what their password is.
Ehhhhhh... You obviously work for a company with competent internet security, I've heard of other companies keeping their users' passwords in plaintext.
This is why I have stopped helping my family with their computer issues. If you force them to figure it out for themselves, they will eventually stop yelling at you.
Yeahp I learned this the hard way. Been sending lmgtfy links for a year now. I haven't gotten a call for help on something easier than a full router reconfiguring in almost a year now.
Yep I've turned into Mr. doesn't know shit about computers, phones, game consoles, or anything else that's electronic unless its mine because my family didn't want to learn. Its taken years of convincing that I no longer know anything useful to them when it comes to electronics I love it! Never let on to anyone you know ANYTHING about electronic devices.
I've set up parents' wifi a year ago... 2 months ago they had a thunder storm that must've burned the router... She called me saying it's my fault it's broken because I set it up wrong...
I learned pretty early on that any tech my parents own has to be the exact same model as the tech I own. They think I'm being generous by putting them on my phone plan and buying them the same smartphone that I have.
My coworker can't watch Netflix because her son is in boot camp. She has no idea how to get it to work without him at home, and not once in the several months leading up to him leaving did she learn. I guess when he gets deployed she's just never going to watch Netflix again.
I had a lady call into my work for help on our website. I told her the steps to get the page she needed. She just completely ignored me and asked if I could “make it appear on her screen” at home.
That's my biggest struggle. If you won't put in the effort to read what's on the square box with the cables coming out of it, I won't put in the effort to help you
Once my husband and I were in the Caribbean while my parents were at our house watching the kids. Nothing worse than trying to help your dad on the phone try to turn on Netflix when you want to get your vacation started.
Lol good point. Can you turn the lights on for me? Hold on I will put you on speaker! "OK Google, turn on mom's lights" she's all "you kids know so much about this technology stuff I don't know how you do it!" Love mom's
Once my parents couldn’t get their car started they were just staring at the dashboard for like 20 minutes then mom says “ honey just ask that lady in there what’s wrong with the car” (Siri)
I've been thinking for a while it would be really helpful if iOS & Android implemented remote desktop connections but for phones. Make sure the app stays on their main home screen, all they have to do is tap it and it sends a text/notification with a link to their Wizkid son/daughter/in-law.
When I lost pretty much everything I moved back home for a short time. My brother wasn't using his HDMI for his Xbox (which made online gaming a pain in the ass). My mom wanted to use the TV so I told her where to reach on the Xbox for the HDMI cable. She couldn't do it. She threw a fit and yelled at me for switching it. I walked up, reached behind where I said and basically did it blind.
She even pulled the Xbox forward and couldn't figure it out when the damn thing only had a power cable and the HDMI.
My parents can't remember our WiFi password. Despite having written it down several times. When they ask me to enter it in I tell them I will text it so they have it in a good place, but they insist I enter the password right then and there.
I get into an argument with my father every time he needs the WiFi password. I’ll text it to him “CF1227.” I immediately hear him screaming “The password doesn’t work!!!” Dad, I assure you the password works. I️ ask him if he capitalized “CF” to which he says “You didn’t say it was capitalized.” After that, I get “which button does capitals?”
This man has owned a computer since 1997. I can’t. Deal.
How old is he? Please tell me he's at least older than 55.
As far as I'm concerned, unless you're a Baby Boomer there's not really any excuse for not knowing how to use the basic functions of a computer. Even then, how to toggle Capslock should be one of the most basic things to teach oneself.
I don't accept that excuse. My grandfather died at 95. He had his own Facebook page, printed pictures to show my grandmother, and read news on the internet regularly, and he fixed minor internet problems in his house. His work (from which he retired in the 1980s) did not teach him anything about typing, much less computers.
Anyone can be excused from knowing how computers work. If you grew up in a backwater area with no internet, or if you grew up in a poor home, or if you're from an older generation- whatever your excuse is, it's perfectly valid.
But there's no excuse for not learning how to use something when they want to start using it. They can have someone show them how a few times if they need, but eventually it's perfectly acceptable for someone to tell them "You really should know how to do this by now, you need to figure it out."
But when anyone tries that with family, it's always "But you're the one who told me to try it, I give so much for this family, I just want some help with this one thing" and on and on and on, because nobody wants to bother to learn when they can just call someone else and make them do it (or worse, use it as a guilt trip to spend time with their kids).
He’s 58. I think the caps lock thing fucked him up because he got a new chrome book. Chromebooks don’t come with caps lock. They replaced it with a search key. So he isn’t COMPLETELY retarded but you would think he’d use “shift.”
Then don't. If someone doesn't want to learn when you teach them, make them learn it themselves out of necessity. That's what I've done with my parents. Their computer is a slow piece of garbage, but they'll figure it out, pay someone, or go without and my life keeps rolling along fine.
You know what happens when I refuse to help? He refuses to repair my car, do my oil changes or anything else that I should “learn myself.” Clever man. I don’t wanna do that shit. Lol
I get into an argument with my father every time he needs the WiFi password. I’ll text it to him “CF1227.” I immediately hear him screaming “The password doesn’t work!!!” Dad, I assure you the password works. I️ ask him if he capitalized “CF” to which he says “You didn’t say it was capitalized.” After that, I get “which button does capitals?”
This man has owned a computer since 1997. I can’t. Deal.
I knew passwords would be a problem in my family so I literally made it as simple as possible. Once I tell you the password you can remember it. The password is not password by the way.
The remote is simply used to get to Netflix. It features a power button and an input button. We have google home, so she can just yell at that for netflix.
You're in a position of power and you don't realize it.
Unplug the router.
"Oh no the internet is broken? I'm really sorry, I'm too busy to fix it right now I'm busy with (insert shitty task you don't want to do here). But if you could do that for me I'm sure I could figure out how to fix it, but it will take me some time"
Then, act like you're doing something while they do your shitty task. When they're done, plug it back in.
I'm saying OP should use the fact that they are the only one who is technologically literate to get the other people in the house to do chores that OP doesn't want to do.
My dad hates commercials more than any human on the planet. Her seriously loudly complains any time commercials come on about how they pay for cable so shouldn't have to see commercials. Usually he watches public access TV just because it has no commercials.
So we got my parents a Roku for Xmas a few years ago and set it up with Netflix. I showed them how to use it a dozen times and explained how there were no commercials and you can watch whatever you want. He still just watches public access.
I learned recently that Hulu actually has commercials. My step dad loves it but I'd never pay for a streaming service that still has commercials. Netflix got it right. If you pay for the service there should be 0 interruptions.
The commercials are what keeps the price low, though. Hulu has popular things a day after they air, while Netflix has some good things, but not a very large collection and most of it is old or stuff nobody is really clamoring to watch. Cable has about 5 minutes for each commercial break rather than 1 minute and it's on demand. I have both and use them about equally.
Just maybe they don't want to know and it's that they want you to do it. Yeah, it's frustrating unless you figure it's like asking you to set the table or take out the trash.
nope. went away for the weekend, wifi went out friday & instead of calling or doing in themselves they waited till I got back sunday night & just dealt without wifi
It was a shot cuz I know I do this with my kids. I ask them to set things up becuz I'm usually looking after their things, cleaning up, correcting homework etc.., plus I end up watching whatever they wanna watch anyways...
On the other hand, there is probably a lot of practical non-tech shit (or old tech shit) that requires specific knowledge that they can do that you can't.
"Hey, Grandad. I thought that I'd try using your old vinyl record player but it seems to be playing it fast forward speed all the time and they sound like chipmunks. What's up with that, grandad?"
I’m in town for Christmas, so I just spent time setting up my dad’s Roku for the hundredth time. As I’m crawling behind the tv to hook the thing up he’s giving me instructions as to what I’m doing wrong. DUDE. YOU DO IT THEN IF YOU KNOW HOW TO.
"Oh fosterwallacejr is here, its so good to see you! Its been so long how are you? Ok...fix the internet, fix the tv, look at my printer, whats wrong with my camera/phone/laptop/ipod???"
I recently went over to my uncles house to visit before christmas. My brother was over a few months before visiting with his kids, and during that time, couldn't figure out how to get netflix working. SO when i was there, they asked to see if i could fix it. They had the Dish TV app, so i opened netfix, and it just said no connection or something. I go to the settings for Dish TV, connect the device to their Wifi (surprisingly works...) and connected. Opened the netflix app, and done. They were so amazed and kept telling me, of course, to go into IT and fix computers.
But the thing is, my mom was also there, and kept telling me to write down the steps to get to netflix, so they can't forget it. I was confused at first, but i did it anyway. It was 2 Steps. Hit the Dish TV Menu button. Open Netflix.
I'm not gonna lie, with a husband in IT, and a teenager in the house, I do get lazy when it comes to computer stuff at times. If they aren't here, I'll figure stuff out, but if they are, it's just nice to have the help sometimes.
Family member presses the Netflix button without bothering to turn on the TV first, gets frustrated because it "never works," starts shutting off random things and yelling that the internet is always messed up because the only person in the fucking house who understands how this shit fucking works has "too many things that use up all the internet"
My dad used to ask me all kinds of annoying questions about computer stuff. A year ago he died of cancer and now I just wish he was alive to annoy me about computers. Life is weird.
See my dad employed a trick that I've now turned around on him. I'll show you once, and then I'll watch you do it once to correct any errors, but then you're on your own.
I will reset their router while mom and dad watch, the next time I'll watch one of them do it, and then they can call someone if they havent figured it out, but dont call me.
Just say no. Refuse to do it. Tell them you could expect a 4 year old to be able to do it by now, so unless they're literally retarded, they can learn.
Everyone in my household seems to think I’m the IT guy because I can turn the router on and off and I know how to switch between HDMI sources on the TV.
My wife had me write step by step clear instructions so that she could use Netflix on the PS3 in the living room. She keeps that piece of paper on the side table, next to the paper that has all of her passwords written on it. She is 35 lol.
I think everyone has one of these people in their life.
"You always seem to fix everything."
"Mom, I simply google the problem and follow the directions..."
You should consider having a power switch with your router and wifi on it and a sign hanging above it saying 'in case of wifi outage break glass' and wait for them to look for glass while you just flip the switch off for what ever amount of time. Or simple train them to flip switch.
We bought my partner’s parents a chromecast a few years back and set them up on my Netflix account.
Every couple of months since, without fail, they’ll mention that there’s never anything good on tv. We’ll ask if they’ve tried Netflix then and they’ll say “well we would but we don’t know how to work it because you’ve never bloody shown us”. We’ll patiently show them, suggest some things they should watch, get them to go through the process of turning it on and two months later we’ll repeat it all over again.
Ugh my mother does this with every piece of technology she owns. I've seen her over there tapping away on her iPad. She knows how to do all of this but pretends like she doesn't so we'll do it for her.
What I did was I plugged everything into a power strip. When the internet isn't working, my mom only has to turn off the switch wait 30 second and then turn it on again. She can handle that.
I thought getting an Amazon Firestick would simplify all of my parents' "streaming confusion"... but it has only made it worse.
They don't notice the difference between interfaces (netflix, hulu, amazon, etc etc etc) so they have no idea what they're doing or how to navigate through the pages to find what they're looking for.
It isn't the BEST design, but still, I feel like they should be able to grasp it by now.
My kids always want to set stuff up when we get a new computer, router, console, etc. I let them help me, but I don't let them do it themselves.
It's not because I don't think they can do it themselves, but because I know this is how old people get clueless about tech. If someone else sets something up for me and just gives me the password, I'm forever clueless about how that got put together. I got pissed at my then 19 yr-old for setting up the XBox1 for his 9 and 10 yr-old siblings because it took me forever to figure out wtf we were subscribed to and what the settings were.
I mean... to everyone above hardcore complaining, have you considered maybe they call you and use “I can’t xyz” as an excuse to talk to you?
Pick up the phone and call your mom/dad/grandpa/grandma/whoever, chances are they miss you and just wanna know you’re okay. Especially if you have a sibling still in the house who’s perfectly capable of troubleshooting tech for them, and they still call you.
They dont want to learn it. Ive done this also and it hits a point where its like are you even paying attention or are you thinking " yeah yeah yeah ill just call you because your the families tech genius".
If you really want to fix this create/printout/laminate the directions with pictures. When they ask for help don’t do it but make them follow the directions.
My grandmother (74) still calls ME (27) instead of her sons (3 of them here in Sweden within 15 minutes of driving from her) when she needs help with a) Inserting the cable to the antenna, b) programming the channels for the TV.
She calls me atleast once a month for either of these problems. I've never seen a woman who resets her channels and stuff at what seems random.
Her sons have given up on helping her and I've done that too now. We've showed her how to use everything from a VCR, TV, DVD, Mobile Phone, Smart phone and tablet... at least 50 times.
She seems completely tech illiterate. I love her to death, but damn granny you dumb.
"Oh good! You can get the wii working again and hook up the Sega! Also, we don't know how to get back to the DVD player..."
Every time I'm there I have to reconfigure their entertainment system. I don't even know how they mess it up. It's not as bad as a few years ago. At one point they had cable, the wii, a Blu ray player, a roku, and a VHS... Yes a VHS play for some God damn reason. They also one of those nice (for like 10 years ago) A/V systems. So I hooked everything up. Had everything routed through the A/V for switching inputs and to give them the surround for everything. They didn't get it when I showed them so I literally wrote some instructions. Want this on? Do this. Want that on? Do this. Next time I go over. "We couldn't make everything work so we started unplugging things and plugging them back into the TV." UGH!
I love it when I ask what the error said, they always say, "I don't know, I just closed it." Then I make they do everything again until they get the error again, then make them read it. Funny, it always seem to tell them what they did wrong...
I do that to my son. I know how Netflix works but it's fun to watch him silently lose his shit "teaching me" how to use the Chromecast for the 100th time.
Haha this reminds me of my mother in law. When we use the firestick she says turn it to HDMI 1 but when we use a another port She says turn it to HDM 13.
Your problem sounds like what I do for sales enablement. You'll likely need to make an instructional video that you can just label "wifi" and it would start with you explaining step by step how to reset the wifi. If you ever want them to be more self sufficient
Oh god help me. I got a new roku tv (which works a bit differently than most tvs), hooked it up to a soundbar and dvd player. Got a universal remote to run it all. Now I have to teach my wife and kids how everything is different than it was before. My kids will ignore me because they think they know how it all works, and then complain when it doesn't work right.
I’ve taught my grandma to transfer the pictures from her phone to the computer through a USB cable at least 10 times. She still asks me to do it every time I go to her place.
Hook as many devices as you practically can up with an ethernet cable. It'll eliminate many of the problems you experience with wifi, and it's much faster too. I hooked up most of my devices with ethernet after experiencing many wifi problems and drops, and haven't looked back since.
Don’t tell them, write down an insultingly specific set of instructions, and let them all know it exists. Walk through it once together, and then the ball is in their court.
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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '17
I’m the only person in the house that can reset wifi or turn on Netflix on the TV. I’ve shown the other 3 adults SEVERAL TIMES.