When 'Blah, Blah, Blah' Is the Error Message: A Hilarious Tale From Tech Support
Picture this: It’s early morning. Coffee’s barely kicked in, your inbox is already overflowing, and you’re about to take your first tech support call of the day. You expect the usual: “My printer won’t print,” or, “Why is my screen blue?” But what if the error message you’re supposed to troubleshoot turns out to be… “blah, blah, blah”?
Welcome to the wild, weird, and occasionally facepalm-inducing world of IT support, where users sometimes take things a little too literally—and techs get stories they’ll never forget.
The Call That Launched 1,000 Laughs
This gem comes straight from Reddit’s r/TalesFromTechSupport, courtesy of u/ThatBrozillianGuy, who was just trying to help a user navigate a mysterious error. The conversation went like this:
User: Good morning ThatBrozillianGuy. I’m trying to use this program, but it’s giving me an error message, no matter what I do.
Tech: Good morning User. Ok, I need you to please read me what the error message says.
User: The operation you’re trying to execute is currently unavailable. There is a blah, blah, blah… blah, blah, blah… please contact the account administrator.
Tech: User, I need you to read me the entirety of the message, so I can diagnose what the problem is. I’m sure it doesn’t read “blah, blah, blah.”
User: proceeds to read the message as written.
It’s the kind of exchange that can make a seasoned IT pro spray coffee all over their monitor. But it’s also a prime example of the sometimes-bizarre miscommunications that happen daily in the tech world.
Why Is This So Relatable?
If you’ve ever been on either side of a support call, you’re probably chuckling (or cringing) right now. But why do these moments happen so frequently? Here’s what makes this story so hilariously relatable:
1. Error Messages Are (Often) Gibberish.
Let’s face it—error messages are rarely written with users in mind. They’re cryptic, technical, and sometimes so long-winded that even the most patient of us tune out after the first sentence. Who can blame the user for mentally swapping out jargon for “blah, blah, blah”?
2. Users Just Want a Solution—Not a Lecture.
When you’re stuck and frustrated, reading every word of an error message feels like reciting the fine print on a shampoo bottle. “Blah, blah, blah” is the brain’s way of saying, “Can you just fix it already?”
3. Literal Listening: A Double-Edged Sword.
In IT support, you’ll find people who follow instructions to the letter—and those who interpret directions in the most creative ways possible. Sometimes, this means reading out “blah, blah, blah” instead of the actual error text. It’s unintentional comedy gold.
The Human Side of Tech Support
What makes this story stick isn’t just the punchline—it’s the reminder that tech support isn’t about computers, it’s about people. Behind every ticket and troubleshooting step is a real human, trying to bridge the gap between complex systems and everyday problems.
This story also highlights an important lesson for IT pros: patience. No matter how baffling the situation, staying calm and gently guiding the user toward clarity is key. For users, it’s a gentle nudge to read those error messages just a little more carefully—your tech support person will thank you!
What Can We Learn? (Other Than Not to Say “Blah, Blah, Blah”)
- For IT Pros: Always ask follow-up questions. If the error sounds suspiciously vague, it probably is.
- For Users: The more details you can provide, the faster your problem gets solved. Yes, even if the error message is longer than your last grocery list.
- For Everyone: A sense of humor goes a long way. Sometimes, the best way to survive another day in tech is to laugh at the madness.
Share Your Own “Blah, Blah, Blah” Moments
Tech support is full of stories like this—some hilarious, some head-scratching, all uniquely human. Have you ever encountered a user who took instructions a little too literally? Or maybe you’ve been that user yourself (hey, we’ve all been there).
Share your own tales in the comments below! And remember: next time your computer throws up an error, resist the urge to “blah, blah, blah” your way through it. Your friendly neighborhood IT person will thank you—and you might just avoid becoming the next viral story on Reddit.
Have a great tech tale of your own? Drop it in the comments and let’s keep the laughs (and learning) going!
Original Reddit Post: Blah, blah, blah...