Agreed. We are our own worst enemy when drivers validate "the numbers" by looking at lists, asking how they did, what their paid over was. We need to spread the word to have ignorance to "the numbers" but an adherence to "personal safety". If they want better numbers, change the computer to allow me more time.
Me: "Hey, what's this number?" Sup: "That's your Social Security number, stupid." Me: "But why is it so high? Is that good or bad?" Sup: "Lets talk about the over allowed." Me: "We've got to get to the bottom of this Social...social..what do you call that again?"
I've said it before, I'll say it again: if you HAVE to get in a conversation about numbers, go sideways, and go stupid. Play your game, not theirs. Some of my fondest package car memories are of these crazy deflections I've used when some irate management drone is trying to dress me down about being two to three hours over-allowed. You just can't imagine how much fun you can have by playing the stupid card.
One of my favorite stories about discipline, was about one of our old timers who was being written up for something during his package car days. Management sat their for five, ten minutes, making their case. Finally, they asked him, "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" The whole time, our guy was staring at the ceiling, and in those offices, the ceiling tiles were those square, white plaster thingys with all of those little holes in each one. He rubbed his chin, while looking at those tiles, and said, "Do you ever wonder how they get all of those holes in those tiles?" Apparently, management threw up their arms in frustration and told the old timer to leave.
Going sideways works, man.
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