Does Being Too Friendly Make One Stupid? The Moby Dick Story!
Here recently I went to the local Prometric Testing Center to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam sponsored by the Project Management Institute (PMI). My exam was scheduled for 10:00 a.m., and I was anxious to get started.
When I arrived at this location, I accidentally went to the wrong door. When I tried opening it, I noticed it was locked. I felt ridiculous trying to pull on a door that was obviously locked, but I think no one saw me, which was a small consolation. I guess!
I noticed another test-taker found the right door, and it was even more embarrassing when I observed that the door had a glowing yellow sign that read:
Prometric Test Takers Enter Here!
Yes this is the same sign I missed earlier.
The Conversation
The gentleman who found the right door was the only person in front of me. I waited by leaning on a wall, but the young lady registering the customers informed me that it was best for me to go to the lobby, which I did.
From this location, I heard the following conversation from the overly-friendly test-taker and the attendant:
Test-Taker: Hi, maam! Its so nice to be here. I know Im early, but I wanted to get here on time.
Attendant: Glad you were able to find the location.
[Im sitting already bored. This is no time to have a friendly conversation! Im nervous about the exam, and I want to get started! I guess Im overreacting a bit!]
Test-Taker: Im taking the insurance audit exam. Do you see my name on that computer screen of yours?
Attendant: What is your name?
Test-Taker: Moby Dick Landus. Can you believe my parents gave me this name?
Attendant: That is a hard name to miss. I guess your parents wanted you to have a name that everyone could remember.
Test-Taker: I guess youre right. What is your name?
Attendant: Gina.
Test-Taker: Do you have a last name, Gina?
[Will you please shut up and get on with the program! This is nuts! This is a test-taking facility, and not a bar!]
Attendant: Gina Marcum. Not as fancy as your name, I guess. Will you please sign here?
Test-Taker: Sure, maam. I will sign my unique name right on this dotted line. Its not dotted, but you know what I mean.
[Really!]
Attendant: Great! I have your identification, and everything is set to go. Martina will take you to your station to begin the test.
Test-Taker: Thank you for the terrific experience! Im ready to get going!
Attendant: Mr. Flores! Youre next!
Im unsure how Mr. Moby Dick did on the exam, but I did feel that his discussion was a bit over the top. I know some of you are thinking Im overreacting, but I suppose you had to be there. Its a funny example, and it still makes a chuckle when I think about it.
While taking the CAPM exam, I was hoping to get done quickly to avoid listening to the parting conversation between Moby Dick and Gina. While walking out of the testing room, I noticed that Moby raised his hand, and asked Gina if he could use the restroom. Who raises their hand in a testing center? Weird!
I passed the exam, and hurried to my car. Some of you might be skeptical regarding my Moby Dick story, but its true. Really!
When I arrived at this location, I accidentally went to the wrong door. When I tried opening it, I noticed it was locked. I felt ridiculous trying to pull on a door that was obviously locked, but I think no one saw me, which was a small consolation. I guess!
I noticed another test-taker found the right door, and it was even more embarrassing when I observed that the door had a glowing yellow sign that read:
Prometric Test Takers Enter Here!
Yes this is the same sign I missed earlier.
The Conversation
The gentleman who found the right door was the only person in front of me. I waited by leaning on a wall, but the young lady registering the customers informed me that it was best for me to go to the lobby, which I did.
From this location, I heard the following conversation from the overly-friendly test-taker and the attendant:
Test-Taker: Hi, maam! Its so nice to be here. I know Im early, but I wanted to get here on time.
Attendant: Glad you were able to find the location.
[Im sitting already bored. This is no time to have a friendly conversation! Im nervous about the exam, and I want to get started! I guess Im overreacting a bit!]
Test-Taker: Im taking the insurance audit exam. Do you see my name on that computer screen of yours?
Attendant: What is your name?
Test-Taker: Moby Dick Landus. Can you believe my parents gave me this name?
Attendant: That is a hard name to miss. I guess your parents wanted you to have a name that everyone could remember.
Test-Taker: I guess youre right. What is your name?
Attendant: Gina.
Test-Taker: Do you have a last name, Gina?
[Will you please shut up and get on with the program! This is nuts! This is a test-taking facility, and not a bar!]
Attendant: Gina Marcum. Not as fancy as your name, I guess. Will you please sign here?
Test-Taker: Sure, maam. I will sign my unique name right on this dotted line. Its not dotted, but you know what I mean.
[Really!]
Attendant: Great! I have your identification, and everything is set to go. Martina will take you to your station to begin the test.
Test-Taker: Thank you for the terrific experience! Im ready to get going!
Attendant: Mr. Flores! Youre next!
Im unsure how Mr. Moby Dick did on the exam, but I did feel that his discussion was a bit over the top. I know some of you are thinking Im overreacting, but I suppose you had to be there. Its a funny example, and it still makes a chuckle when I think about it.
While taking the CAPM exam, I was hoping to get done quickly to avoid listening to the parting conversation between Moby Dick and Gina. While walking out of the testing room, I noticed that Moby raised his hand, and asked Gina if he could use the restroom. Who raises their hand in a testing center? Weird!
I passed the exam, and hurried to my car. Some of you might be skeptical regarding my Moby Dick story, but its true. Really!
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