Doesn’t Take A Scientist
(I and the other PhD student are in our lab on a Friday afternoon. Our PI (the PhD who runs the lab and advises our PhD progress) is a fairly devout Muslim, and goes to prayer on Friday afternoons. A scientific supply sales rep comes through the door of the lab.)
Rep: “Is Dr. [PI’s massively long last name] here?”
(We automatically know this guy isn’t a usual rep as neither of us recognize him and everyone calls our PI by his first name, by his request.)
Other PhD Student: “He stepped out, but we’re his PhD students. What do you need?”
Rep: “Where did he go?”
Other PhD Student: “Out. What do you need?”
Rep: “When will he be back?”
Me: “Don’t know exactly. He went to the mosque for Friday prayer. He’s usually back around 2:30 or so.”
Rep: “Well… it’s a little ridiculous that he thinks that just because he’s a religion you can’t say anything against because of politically correctness, that he can leave in the middle of the work day.”
Other PhD Student: “He thinks he expects that because this is his freaking lab.”
Rep: “And he just expects you guys to sit here and take care of everything. Bet he didn’t respect your religion.”
Me: “I’m Mormon and he’s always been very respectful of it. He’s always been very understanding about my devotion to my Sabbath, for example.”
Other PhD Student: “Look, did you want something? We’re busy.”
Rep: “Because he dropped this with on you. Am I right?”
Other PhD Student: No. Because it’s called grad school. I assume you can show yourself out?
(The rep left dejectedly. Just a tip, sales rep: to sell things to a lab, don’t insult the guy who runs said lab.)
