Sometimes, It Really Works

Today, a gentleman walked into my office at the Library of Congress, and asked for information that I'm not allowed to give him. My division is part of a subdivision of the Library, called the Congressional Research Service. As the name suggests, we serve Congress - and ONLY Congress. We do not field inquiries made directly from the public. They MUST go through their own Congress person in order for us to help them.

This man had heard that in 3 other offices. He was not happy when I told him this.

"That sounds like something they tell you to say!" he complained.

Well, he was right. It IS something I'm told to say. So, I looked him in the eye, and said "Yes, sir, it is. And I mean this with no offense meant, but you aren't worth my job."

That took him aback. Then he smiled at me, and said that he could respect that. He left, to head to his local library (at least that's what he said) to look for his local Congress people so that he could attempt to initiate a constituent request.

Sometimes, Radical Honesty works.