There is an informal expression used in my native language (Romanian) that may be literally translated to "it takes a look at the human being".
This is used when a person cannot use some kind of mechanism, asks for help to another person which can use the mechanism and the former one tells her this as a joke. It is often used when it is not clear why the mechanism does not work for the first person.
This can be understood by the following fantastic chain of events:
- the mechanism is assumed to have some kind of sentience (at least to "see" the person)
- a person tries to use it
- the mechanism takes a look at the person and does not like what it sees
- it decides not to work properly
The most similar idioms I know about are from the software development:
- works for me
- PEBCAK - Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard
However I am interested in an expression for a more general usages.
Question: Is there an expression or idiom to express in an informal/funny way that it is a person's fault when something is not working?