[Written Oct 1 1996 to my college students as the=
brand new grif.net blog had expanded to 36 recipient]
It has come t=
o my attention that some of you are using your TEACHER’S NAME
as a "reference" or "recommendation=
" for job applications or graduate school
evaluations. You might like to know what the standard jargon real=
ly means to
your old profs before thi=
nking all of their reports will be in glowing terms.
If we SAY you =
are . . . then this is what we REALLY MEAN:
AVERAGE =3D Not too bri=
ght.
EXCEPTIONALLY WELL QUALIFIED =3D Has committed no major blunde=
rs to date.
ACTIVE SOCIALLY =3D Dates heavily.
ZEALOUS ATTI=
TUDE =3D Opinionated.
CHARACTER ABOVE REPROACH =3D Still one step a=
head of the law.
QUICK THINKING =3D Offers plausible excuses for er=
rors.
TAKES PRIDE IN WORK =3D Conceited.
TAKES ADVANTAG=
E OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PROGRESS =3D Buys gifts for teachers.
IND=
IFFERENT TO INSTRUCTION =3D Knows more than teachers.
STERN DISCIPL=
INARIAN =3D A real jerk in the dorm.
=
TACTFUL IN DEALING WITH DEAN O=
F STUDENTS =3D Knows when to keep mouth shut.
APPROACHES DIFFICULT =
PROBLEMS WITH LOGIC =3D Finds someone else to do the job.
A KEEN AN=
ALYST =3D Thoroughly confused.
&=
nbsp;
NOT A DESK PERSON =3D Did not learn =
anything in class last semester.
EXPRESSES SELF WELL =3D Occasional=
ly strings two sentences together.
SPENDS EXTRA HOURS ON THE JOB =
=3D Miserable home life.
CONSCIENTIOUS AND CAREFUL =3D Scared.=
METICULOUS IN ATTENTION TO DETAIL =3D A nitpicker.
DEMONSTRATES=
QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP =3D Has a loud voice.
JUDGEMENT IS USUALLY=
SOUND =3D Lucky so far.
MAINTAINS PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE =3D A snob=
=2E
~~
Dr=
=2E Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.=
grif.net
“1 cross + 3 nails =3D 4 given”