In the post Tech-NO Mama, I alluded to the fact that my dad is not only technologically challenged, but also PC user illiterate. I thought you might enjoy a little elaboration on the topic. Frank (a.k.a. Opa, Dad, Daddy, Pool Boy, Lawn Guy) is a not unlike other retirees who spent their working years in labor-intensive union jobs — he doesn’t know the first thing about using a computer.
Two examples:
1. A phone conversation with my dad:
Lauren: Hey Dad.
Frank: Hiya.
Lauren: Whatcha doin’?
Frank: Oh, nothin’.
Lauren: Well, what’s new? What’s going on? [I failed to warn you that phone conversations with my dad often resemble an unpleasant visit to an oral surgeon.]
Frank: Nothing. Some woman just called here asking if I wouldn’t mind answering some of her questions. I asked her what kind of questions. I figured I don’t have anything else to do. So she started asking me this and that about the computer. I said, “You got the wrong guy. My wife handles the computer. She’s not here. Why don’t you call back later?” And the woman! She just kept asking questions. I’m wondering what’s with this lady. What doesn’t she understand about “you got the wrong guy”? She asked me if we have windows. I said, “lady, I’m looking out the windows at the trees right now. That’s all I know.”
2. A story my mom told me about a phone conversation she had with my dad.
I don’t remember the backstory on this one, but it’s neither here nor there. The gist is: My mom was not at home and she needed some information from a document she had saved on the desktop of the computer. My dad was at home. Mom called dad to get the information.
Mom: Frank, I need some information off the computer.
Frank: Oh geez. Alright. How do I turn this thing on?
…
Mom: Okay, now that you have the main screen up, do you see the document called xyz?
Frank: Document? I’m looking at a computer screen.
Mom: Oh Frank! Okay, look for a little thing that looks like a tiny piece of paper and says xyz under it. Do you see it?
Frank: Yeah, okay. I see it.
Sally: Alright, just right click on that icon and…
Frank: It’s not working.
Sally: It has to be working. What are you doing wrong? You have the mouse, right?
Frank: Yeah, I have the mouse!
Sally: Okay, well move it until the arrow is over the picture and then right click on it.
Frank: Sally! I am! Nothing is happening! It’s not working.
Sally: Ugh. Frank. Forget it.
My mom gave up and when she got home later that day, she dragged my dad over to the computer to find out what he was doing wrong. And what I’m about to say you won’t believe.
He took the mouse in his hand
Moved the arrow over xyz document
Put his fingers on the keyboard and typed the word click
—-I’ll pause for you to process that—-
YES! I SAID IT.
He was following her instructions. “Write ‘click’ on the icon.”
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is SOOOO funny. Frank….:)
Hilarious!
I don’t get it…is he messing with her or is he seriously that confused?
He was serious. He didn’t know how to do that.