So, y'all are familiar with the concept of Geek Answer Syndrome, right?

[xiphias]

Geek Answer Syndrome, or GAS, is when someone complains about something to you, because they need to vent, and you, instead of listening and being supportive, try to fix the problem.

I'm usually pretty good at avoiding doing this. But today, Lis came home, and on her way into the house, managed to scrape up her finger pretty badly. And it looked like it frickin' hurt.

You know when it's really, really hard to avoid Geek Answer Syndrome?

When you've spent much of the day doing folding laundry while watching your new Season 1 of MacGyver DVDs.

Comments

[tylik.livejournal.com]

*cracking up*

I used to hear it called male answer syndrome. (Which mostly reminded me to shut up, because I have it, but can sometimes fly under the radar...)

[cellio]

*laugh* So what exactly did you put on her hand?

[navrins]

Well, I find sometimes when that happens it helps if...

Oh. Never mind.

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

[madly giggles]

n.

[redbird]

I think it's alt.polyamory that started calling it Geek Answer Syndrome because many of the people there who have it aren't male.

[lidiya6.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I tend to want to fix problems when people just want to vent. I was surprised to learn that "offering solutions" was considered a "communication roadblock" in this communications book I was reading. I am working on getting comfortable just listening.