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I would appreciate the comments from the tradesman.
If I disagreed with his/her politics it would lead me to write a crappy Yelp review and tell my neighbors not to hire.
So yesterday I had a guy in who was installing some cabinets for us. This was a project I would have had done months ago if not for the shutdown.
He seemed to be good at the work. I've no complaints about that. But as they day went on and we got a bit more talkative he made his political views known.
They were in total opposition to mine.
Mind you, I didn't bring up politics but just said how happy I was to be getting this job done since I had to put it off. He said some pretty insulting things, thinking I was of the same mind. I kept my mouth shut about my opinions.
Well, any chance of me ever calling him back to do any work at my house went out the window right then and there.
Pro tip: Be professional, people.
I am with VTsnowbird and a lot of others on that
Reliable and skilled tradespeople are hard to come by nowadays.
Surprised that you are willing to deny yourself a future project well done and deny him his livelihood due to his political leanings thoughtlessly displayed..
You don't have to invite him to your birthday party!
Maybe I have a thicker skin, but I realize that everyone has their own reasons that may explain a certain political outlook...does not bother me- may I have his phone number?
One of the guys who treated our house for termites whipped out his phone and showed me porno while setting up the job.
Didn't stop me from hiring them. They were on time the next day and did the job at a fair price.
Too many people today are quick to 'punish' people.
Me: This is looking good. I'm so glad to be getting this done. I had to put it off, of course, because of everything (eluding to the shutdown).
Him: Oh yeah (agreeing). *insert rant about everything that happened and his opinions on who was at fault, including insulting words about certain demographics*
I stayed silent as he ranted, as I was not only a bit shocked at this, but I was trying to keep things professional. Once he stopped ranting, I basically said 'well I'll let you get back to it'.
So yesterday I had a guy in who was installing some cabinets for us. This was a project I would have had done months ago if not for the shutdown.
He seemed to be good at the work. I've no complaints about that. But as they day went on and we got a bit more talkative he made his political views known.
They were in total opposition to mine.
Mind you, I didn't bring up politics but just said how happy I was to be getting this job done since I had to put it off. He said some pretty insulting things, thinking I was of the same mind. I kept my mouth shut about my opinions.
Well, any chance of me ever calling him back to do any work at my house went out the window right then and there.
Pro tip: Be professional, people.
So, are you posing a question about whether never having this person do any work on your home again is right or wrong because you don't agree with him politically? If he truly offended you with his demeanor, then THAT might be reason enough for me not to have him back, but if he did quality work (since it so difficult in my area to find people who are skilled and professional) it'd be hard to justify excluding him simply because his political opinions differ from mine.
I'd say this issue is the crux of our current lack of civil political discourse and the basis for the deep division amongst Americans.
You had an opportunity to engage in a dialgue, however limited due to his working at your home, but you didn't take it. You could have advanced civil discourse but you didn't.
So yesterday I had a guy in who was installing some cabinets for us. This was a project I would have had done months ago if not for the shutdown.
He seemed to be good at the work. I've no complaints about that. But as they day went on and we got a bit more talkative he made his political views known.
They were in total opposition to mine.
Mind you, I didn't bring up politics but just said how happy I was to be getting this job done since I had to put it off. He said some pretty insulting things, thinking I was of the same mind. I kept my mouth shut about my opinions.
Well, any chance of me ever calling him back to do any work at my house went out the window right then and there.
Pro tip: Be professional, people.
I disagree. I had a contractor (full time day job, whom I knew from the local music scene long prior) perform some work fixing a roof leak and putting a new floor in the kitchen. He is part of a 2-man crew that is frequently called to work on historic homes near our city's downtown area. I would be willing to put politics aside (even if he vehemently opposed my political beliefs) as our little town comes up short on reliable, talented tradespeople. Even if that weren't the case - some of my best friends are polar opposites politically. Instead of responding to their soapbox moments with preloaded retorts, I ask questions, and it becomes an interesting and civil conversation.
I disagree. I had a contractor (full time day job, whom I knew from the local music scene long prior) perform some work fixing a roof leak and putting a new floor in the kitchen. He is part of a 2-man crew that is frequently called to work on historic homes near our city's downtown area. I would be willing to put politics aside (even if he vehemently opposed my political beliefs) as our little town comes up short on reliable, talented tradespeople. Even if that weren't the case - some of my best friends are polar opposites politically. Instead of responding to their soapbox moments with preloaded retorts, I ask questions, and it becomes an interesting and civil conversation.
Me: This is looking good. I'm so glad to be getting this done. I had to put it off, of course, because of everything (eluding to the shutdown).
Him: Oh yeah (agreeing). *insert rant about everything that happened and his opinions on who was at fault, including insulting words about certain demographics*
I stayed silent as he ranted, as I was not only a bit shocked at this, but I was trying to keep things professional. Once he stopped ranting, I basically said 'well I'll let you get back to it'.
Again, the lesson is: be professional.
I see reading comprehension remains a struggle for many here.
Expressing political opinions isn't ideal for someone in that role, because that isn't what they were hired for. But that wasn't wasn't what happened.
I personally have signs up around my house that give clear indicators of my own political inclinations. Obviously not directed to tradespeople in particular but perhaps they've been a good enough signal that someone who doesn't share my views would do better to not bring up politics when working in my house. I don't vet people based on that and refuse to hire them if we don't share the same beliefs, but I do not need to hear insults and criticism in my own house from someone I've hired to do a job that has zero to do with politics.
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