I think it speaks volumes about my character when I walk into the office of the senior Research Director at one of the premiere mathematics departments in the world and go,

Hey Jon.

What’s crack-a-lackin’?

Moreover, the fact that by now, he’s used to my shenanigans and actually understands what I mean, says as much about him as it does about me.

It’s always puzzled me why some graduates are so afraid of saying the wrong things around their supervisors. My advice: Go ahead and say what you want. If the person can’t take it, you never wanted to work with them in the first place.

Get out before it’s too late.