I typically sit at a computer for 8 or more hours every weekday.  As a computer consultant my job is to solve other people’s problems, typically with better documentation, suggestions to business processes, and, most often, by writing new software.  I do it for a living because I like to eat and because, on a whole, the job is easy and the company I work for recognizes my hard work and rewards me appropriately with none of the ‘be thankful you have a job’ attitude I hear about from colleagues at other firms.

I generally do not mind helping people with computer problems outside of work, but it is not something I want to do on a regular basis and I have to be motivated to do it.  Motivated by a kind word, or a sense that the person actually appreciates it.  If do not get that sort of appreciation the only other motivation I respond to is the type of motivation my job provides me and that is generally of a monetary sort that no one is going to give me otherwise.

I have had multiple people over the last several weeks ask me for computer support and I have provided it (I’d say ‘happily’ but it was less and less so) and none of them have actually said ‘Thank you’.  These have ranged from simple questions to people needing server support.

I’m sorry if you ask me for help in the future as I am going to be reluctant to provide it, it’s just not worth my time any more.