Ask Ask Ask

by Cindy Ventrice

I learned the importance of asking good questions at a very early age. When I was about 7 years old, my father took me to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The menu was a challenge to read, but I did it. Without any help, I decided what I wanted.

When the waitress arrived I ordered whole cracked crab. The waitress asked if I wouldn't prefer a half? Definitely not. She asked me several times. My father asked me several times. I knew what I wanted. I wanted whole cracked crab.

When the waitress left my father asked why I had insisted on a whole cracked crab instead of a half cracked crab.

"I don't want to have to crack any of it myself," was my reply. My father had a good laugh. Everyone he told had a good laugh. I learned a valuable lesson about asking questions and making sure I have all the information I need before I open my mouth to give an opinion or a decision. It's an important lesson. One that I sometimes forget.

I heard a story about a professor who didn't make sure he had all the necessary information. If the story is true, I doubt that it is a lesson he will soon forget. If it is nothing more than another urban legend, it still makes the point quite well.

The story goes:

It was the final examination for an introductory English course with over 800 students enrolled! The examination was two hours long, and exam booklets were provided. The professor was very strict and told the class that any exam that was not on his desk in exactly two hours would not be accepted and the student would fail.

A half hour into the exam, a student came rushing in and asked the professor for an exam booklet. "You're not going to have time to finish this," the professor said, as he handed the student a booklet.

"Yes I will," replied the student, as she took a seat and began writing.

After two hours, the professor called for the exams, and the students filed up and handed them in - - all except the late student, who continued writing.

A half hour later, the student brought her exam up to the desk where the professor was sitting, preparing for his next class. When the student attempted to put her exam on the stack of exam booklets already there, the professor told her, "No you don't, I'm not going to accept that. It's late."

The student, looking incredulous and angry, said "Do you know who I am?"

Sarcastically, the professor replied, "No, as a matter of fact I don't."

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" she shouted.

"No, and I couldn't care less." replied the professor with an air of superiority.

"Good," replied the student, who quickly lifted a portion of the stack, stuffed in her exam, and walked quickly out the door.

She got away with it. Her professor really didn't know who she was!

Asking the right questions of the right people keeps us out of embarrassing situations and helps us to make better decisions.  Remember... ask, ask, ask.

© Copyright Cindy Ventrice, 1998

Cindy Ventrice of Potential Unlimited Seminars has been a consultant/trainer for over 20  years. Her programs are designed to improve morale by building better workplace relationships.

She can be reached at 831-476-4224, or email: CVentrice@potential-unltd.com

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