| My gut reaction is that this is ridiculous, but I've experienced the smuggness of Apple users (not all of us!) first hand. I sat down in a cafe with a coffee and set out to use the free WiFi. I opened my MacBook, observed the AirPort icon as it negotiated a connection, and fired up a web browser once the icon indicated "connected". Nothing. I checked my network settings to make sure I hadn't statically configured DNS or some other obscure setting. I created a new "location" profile with the default settings. Still nothing. A man sitting in front of me, but facing away from me, was using a MacBook Pro, so I politely asked him if he was able to browse the internet. "Excuse me, are you able to browse the internet," I asked. "Yeah," he replied abruptly. I must have interrupted something important. Somewhat quietly, and feeling bad for having disturbed him, I muttered, "Must be my laptop." "Get a Mac," he quipped with a sneer. His response was jarring. Here I was, sitting in a cafe with my own MacBook, being confronted by the fact that the stereotypical Apple user really does exist, watching as a couple across from us shake their head in disgust at his pretentious reply. I'm pretty sure they didn't even notice that I was using an Apple computer too. I couldn't let this stand. "Thanks, I've got one," I replied with the smuggest, most eff-you tone I could muster. Grins from several people in the vicinity seemed to indicate that I had put him in his place. I didn't feel much better though. I'd much rather feel the warm embrace of kindness. That's why, when asked if the WiFi is working, I always take a moment to see if I can help the inquisitor, regardless of their platform choice. Pay it forward, friends. |