Upon achieving semi-galactic status in a particular academic unit, my mailbox was moved from its traditional spot amidst the throngs of regular faculty and researcher mailboxes up to an exalted location at the very top of the mailbox warren.
My staff said to me "If you want, we can get your mail for you and bring it to your Awesome Office and put it in a special mail-place like we did for your Distinguished Predecessors".
I thought, "That's silly, I'll just pick up my mail on one of my 57 daily trips through the office with the mailboxes."
But. I soon realized the flaw in my plan: I am too short to see into my new majestically elevated mailbox. This was not a problem for my predecessors, all of whom are men, going back into the 19th century.
Would it somehow detract from my attempt to cultivate an aura of gravitas if I placed a little step-stool by the mailboxes?
My staff said to me "If you want, we can get your mail for you and bring it to your Awesome Office and put it in a special mail-place like we did for your Distinguished Predecessors".
I thought, "That's silly, I'll just pick up my mail on one of my 57 daily trips through the office with the mailboxes."
But. I soon realized the flaw in my plan: I am too short to see into my new majestically elevated mailbox. This was not a problem for my predecessors, all of whom are men, going back into the 19th century.
Would it somehow detract from my attempt to cultivate an aura of gravitas if I placed a little step-stool by the mailboxes?