- #61
planethunter
- 101
- 0
negru said:
How am I supposed to know that? My intentions were not to offend, so there was no harm done
Is This Professor's Response Justified or Condescending?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around a graduate student's interaction with a professor regarding the student's preparedness for a modern optics course. Participants evaluate the tone and content of the professor's response, debating whether it is justified or condescending. The conversation touches on themes of communication, expectations in academic settings, and the importance of providing sufficient background information in inquiries.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Meta-discussion
Main Points Raised
- Some participants argue that the professor's response lacks tact and is unnecessarily harsh, suggesting it reflects a condescending attitude towards the student.
- Others contend that the professor's emphasis on the need for more information is valid, as it is essential for making informed judgments about a student's capabilities.
- A few participants highlight the importance of the student providing adequate background information to facilitate a more constructive response from the professor.
- Some express concern that the professor's tone may discourage students from seeking help or guidance in the future.
- There are differing opinions on whether the professor's lengthy email was warranted or if a simpler response would have sufficed.
- One participant questions whether the student's formality in addressing the professor may have influenced the professor's reaction.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the appropriateness of the professor's response. Some view it as justified given the context, while others find it condescending and inappropriate. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to communication in such academic inquiries.
Contextual Notes
Participants note that the student's initial email may have lacked sufficient detail, which could have influenced the professor's response. There is also an acknowledgment of the varying expectations for communication styles in academic settings.
How am I supposed to know that? My intentions were not to offend, so there was no harm done
- #62
negru
- 307
- 0
But you broke the holy law of PCness.
They might let you live this time but you better watch it. Just keep to "happy holidays", that's what I've learned.
They might let you live this time but you better watch it. Just keep to "happy holidays", that's what I've learned.
- #63
planethunter
- 101
- 0
negru said:
I smell a troll
- #64
Phyisab****
- 584
- 2
planethunter said:
Calling someone a troll on this forum is punishable by death.
- #65
berkeman
Admin
- 69,407
- 24,790
planethunter said:
I believe he's just kidding around, but he also has an interesting point about the PC-ness of wishing a stranger Merry Christmas. It shouldn't be an issue in most cases, but I can see his point of sticking with Happy Holidays. Whatever.
- #66
planethunter
- 101
- 0
berkeman said:
Thanks for the heads up. I guess we have to always be politically/"religiously" correct :)
- #67
Shackleford
- 1,649
- 2
planethunter said:
No, we don't.
- #68
Ryker
- 1,080
- 2
Well, I guess this is what it comes down to these days. It seems it is acceptable and perfectly normal to respond to a stranger's polite question with a sarcastic and harsh response, but god forbid you wish him a Merry Christmas! Anything but that, please!
- #69
cdotter
- 305
- 0
edit: Oh it worked out. Never mind my suggestion. 
Last edited:
- #70
zpconn
- 241
- 2
The guy is a jerk. His latest reply to you does nothing to change that. In fact, he even made an obvious lie in his latest response. "Nothing burdens me." Yeah, right. He totally acted like he wasn't burdened by the original email the OP sent him.
I'm just a student myself, but I've interacted with enough professors on a variety of different levels to know that the good professors would never under any circumstances write an email like the original reply he sent you.
A good professor would have written something like this, which would have taken LESS TIME AND EFFORT than the reply he actually composed:
"Thank you for contacting me. I'd be glad to help you decide whether to take this course, but in the interest of making my response as helpful as it could be I kindly ask you to please send me more information about your background, including grades, how long it's been since you graduated, [insert very brief description of other info he wants.]
Best wishes and welcome to the program,
Dr. _____"
If he really didn't even want to answer the question at all, no matter how much information the OP replied (and this appears to be the case), he could have written
"Dear ____,
Thank you for contacting me. My honest opinion is that I cannot offer you any realistic advice on whether you should take the course; I simply do not know you and your background well enough. I apologize and understand this is not the response you were looking for, but I hope you can appreciate that I don't want to take any risk of misleading you and feel it is safer for you that I should refrain from offering specific advice at this time.
[The professor could offer to meet in person in his office at a time convenient for him, or could recommend the OP go see the graduate advisor, or a number of other options here.]
Best wishes and welcome to the program!
Dr. _____"
As it stands, both the OP and the professor would have been better served if the professor had not replied at all.
I would avoid him and his classes at all costs.
If any of you think this is acceptable behavior for a professor towards a student, then I guess you haven't had the honor of being acquainted with some of the wonderful professors who have been my teachers and who would never address a student like this.
Just because some behavior occurs a lot in some sector of life doesn't mean it's justified or acceptable or morally okay. I'm absolutely shocked to find how many people here don't understand this.
Should I one day be in the position of this professor, I hope I remember this thread and avoid his example.
I'm just a student myself, but I've interacted with enough professors on a variety of different levels to know that the good professors would never under any circumstances write an email like the original reply he sent you.
A good professor would have written something like this, which would have taken LESS TIME AND EFFORT than the reply he actually composed:
"Thank you for contacting me. I'd be glad to help you decide whether to take this course, but in the interest of making my response as helpful as it could be I kindly ask you to please send me more information about your background, including grades, how long it's been since you graduated, [insert very brief description of other info he wants.]
Best wishes and welcome to the program,
Dr. _____"
If he really didn't even want to answer the question at all, no matter how much information the OP replied (and this appears to be the case), he could have written
"Dear ____,
Thank you for contacting me. My honest opinion is that I cannot offer you any realistic advice on whether you should take the course; I simply do not know you and your background well enough. I apologize and understand this is not the response you were looking for, but I hope you can appreciate that I don't want to take any risk of misleading you and feel it is safer for you that I should refrain from offering specific advice at this time.
[The professor could offer to meet in person in his office at a time convenient for him, or could recommend the OP go see the graduate advisor, or a number of other options here.]
Best wishes and welcome to the program!
Dr. _____"
As it stands, both the OP and the professor would have been better served if the professor had not replied at all.
I would avoid him and his classes at all costs.
If any of you think this is acceptable behavior for a professor towards a student, then I guess you haven't had the honor of being acquainted with some of the wonderful professors who have been my teachers and who would never address a student like this.
Just because some behavior occurs a lot in some sector of life doesn't mean it's justified or acceptable or morally okay. I'm absolutely shocked to find how many people here don't understand this.
Should I one day be in the position of this professor, I hope I remember this thread and avoid his example.
Last edited by a moderator:
- #71
PhDorBust
- 141
- 0
I'm guessing it's not a very good graduate program. Seriously, what kind of graduate student would ask something like that.
Tell him that it was your wife that sent that and she is an idiot.
Tell him that it was your wife that sent that and she is an idiot.
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