Dialog between a Boomer office worker with his Gen Z colleague
Amir: Hey Malee, I’m doing inventory for the office. Would you mind helping me out?
Malee: Sure Amir, what do you need?
Amir: Can you please help me check the supply closet to see which items we still have enough of and which we need to order more of? We don’t want to find ourselves without essential supplies again because we didn’t do our inventory properly.
Malee: Okay. But I can only spare about 30 minutes, then I will need to return to my task.
Amir: Thank you so much!
— They walk to the supply closet —
Malee: Is there anything you already have on your shopping list for the office?
Amir: Yes, as it’s the end of the year, I’m ordering new calendars for everyone. Additionally we need a few supplies to equip the new meeting room, so I’m also getting a flipchart, a whiteboard, and some Sharpies.
Malee: What about an extension cord?
Amir: Oh yeah good call! I only saw a handful of power outlets so that will definitely come in handy!
Malee: The WiFi router is by the door of the open plan office. Do you think the signal is strong enough for the new meeting room?
Amir: Let’s try it out later. Alright, can you please check the shelves while I take note of what we need? I brought my notepad. Do we still have binders?
Malee: I can’t see any. Do we even still need binders?
Amir: Administration insists on them it would seem. On that note, we should probably order another holepunch as well.
— He jots something down —
How about envelopes? And paper?
Malee: We still have eight 50-packs of envelopes and 4 cases of copy paper, 1,500 sheets each. I’d say that’s plenty.
Amir: Awesome, thanks.
Malee: I also see a whole bunch of rulers and tape. Is anybody using that at all?
Amir: It can’t hurt to have tape, just in case. But I see what you mean, I won’t order any more.
Malee: Oh Amir, can you please order me a desk organizer? I always have so many loose papers and it’s so hard to keep track. Using paper clips or staples just isn’t enough.
Amir: Of course. Actually, let me put up a note on the notice board, so everybody can place their orders before I buy everything.
Malee: You’re so old-fashioned, Amir. You should send out an email, it’s more efficient.
Amir: We get about 1.000 emails every day. I don’t want the information to get lost in the shuffle.
Malee: Suit yourself. I can already tell you that a lot of people are going to want sticky notes and highlighters. We go through them like crazy.
Amir: Okay, please let me know how many exactly I should order. Is that it? Then I’ll get my calculator to do the math.
Malee (under her breath): Don’t you have a smartphone…?
Amir: Hey Malee?
Malee: What?
Amir: Once I’ve ordered everything, can you help me print out the order form please? I don’t know how to work the printer…