Ad-Hominem

My department just implemented a new payroll system and since then there will be a consultant from the vendor company will work together in the same office with us for about 3 months after the system go live to make sure the payroll processing is smooth.

One day during a lunch together with the team, the following conversation happen:

Consultant: Previously I work in an outsource company which the office located in Putrajaya.

I like the work very much. Now I starting miss the people and the office there.

Officemate A: Why are you resigned from that company and attached with current company now?

Consultant: Well. I am staying in Petaling Jaya and have to travel to work in Putrajaya is quite tired especially have to face the traffic jam everyday.

Officemate A: How about your work now?

Consultant: Is good. If compare to the previous company, I still prefer the working environment there.

Officemate B: How about the system? Are you using the same system?

Consultant: No. They are using different system. The previous system is easier to learn and recognized internationally.

Officemate B: How will you rate the current system now if compare to the previous one? I found it very complicated.

Consultant: The current system is good. You can generate many reports using the tools created in the system. You should learn faster so that you can get use of it.

Officemate A: Just now you say you prefer the previous company and said that system is easier to learn but now you defense the system from the current company…

From the above conversation, my officemate has a bad argument with the consultant. She used the Fallacy of Ad-hominem abusive. The consultant has no right to advice which system is good because he has compliment the system in the previous company.