Have you had this conversation before?

A: So, what would be a good time for us to meet?

B: Hmm, I’m not sure. I’ll tell you what — why don’t I just call you when I’m available?

A: Uh, okay… but what if I’m busy when you call?

B: What?

A: You know, what if I’m doing something else when you become available?

B: I don’t understand. That doesn’t make sense.

A: Well, you see, I have lots of stuff to do today, and I may be in the middle of doing some of that stuff when you call. So we won’t be able to meet then.

B: Oh, okay. That’s easy to fix: Just don’t do anything until I call you.

A: So, you want me to sit around, doing nothing, so that I’ll be available for you to call me so we can meet?

B: Yes, that’s right.

A: But what about all that other stuff I have to do?

B: Look, this might sound like a dumb question, but help me out here. Am I not way, way more important than you?

A: Yes…

B: So what’s wrong with you just sitting around waiting for me to call — if I call? I own you.

A: Well, right, but the tasks I’m supposed to be doing were given to me by other important people. So, I can’t really ignore them…

B: Are those people more important than me?

A: Technically, they’re equally important, according to the org chart.

B: Hmm… I think I’ll find out how important I am by insisting that you take care of my stuff first.

A: How would that work?

B: Well, if I can bully you into working on my stuff first, and they fire you over it, then I’ll know that I’m less important than the person whose tasks you put off.

A: Wow, that’s tremendously unethical.

B: If you do my stuff first, I won’t fire you for insubordination.

A: So, I guess I’ll just be sitting here, waiting for you then.

B: I AM TEH POWAH!

… or is it just us?