Friday, May 8, 2009

Peligro! This is not politically correct!


I was at work the other day, slowly wearing away all the cartilage in my shoulders. The stone masons and pool guys outside were toiling in the burning hot sun, having a heck of a time: laughing, smiling, joking amongst themselves. Landscaper guys were moving dirt and mulch all around. The basecoat painters were figuring out how to seal the ceilings of the porches when there was “muy wind.” The cabinet makers were working at a snail’s pace.

And that’s when I started thinking about this blog post. Really, my favorite thing about my job is that while I am transforming people’s spaces, I get to pray and think and ponder big issues. What a bonus. I am one lucky girl.

While I was antiquing the hand-troweled walls on a brand-new dream home to make them look like an old hacienda, I was struck by the differences between the different kinds of subcontractors I come across on the job. I spend a lot of time with subcontractors. Actually, I are one. I am always the only female on the job, and generally, I'm one of the only white ones, which brings me to the point of this post.

Did you know that there are big differences between white subcontractors and Mexican subcontractors? Actually, not all of them are Mexican. One of my favorite fellow painter friends was from Honduras. He figured out how to get himself all the way to Texas all by himself when he was just a boy, and has never seen his family since. He probably never will. It’s not like he can go for a visit on Christmas vacation.

Just in case any of you are getting over-heated because I’m using terms like girl, Mexican, white, etc., just save yourselves the indignation. I warned you this wouldn’t be politically correct. I'm a girl and I'm white. That's just the way it is. I do know all the politically-correct ways to speak and I do it because I'm educated and not racist and really wish we could “all just get along.” Bothering with all that PC speech is also quite tiring.

Getting back to the differences between Hispanic subcontractors and white subcontractors, I can tell you this. The Hispanic ones are just a whole lot more enjoyable to work with on the job. I admire the hell out of them. They work their butts off. They get to the job early and they work all day. But you know what I like best? They smile and laugh and joke with each other while they're doing it. In the blazing hot sun, putting in a pool they'll never get to swim in, they figure out how to have a good time.

I hate to break it to you that white subcontractors are not quite so enjoyable. Their example is not quite so inspiring. Generally, they tend to bitch and moan. It's so unattractive. Their helper is hurt. The job is complicated and hard. Wah wah wah. They get there about 10:30. Leave around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If I’m painting in front of a doorway, the white guy will expect me to move my ladder. There are at last three other doors he could use, but I’m in his way.

Yesterday with "muy wind,” the basecoat painter figured out how to seal all the porch ceilings anyway. A white guy would have said he had to come back next week when it wasn't so windy. You think I'm joking. Seriously, I'm not.

White contractors also like to complain about the Mexicans coming in and taking over the trades. And that's probably true. People like a bargain. They also like workers who work hard and show up and are somewhat thankful for the work. There’s another reason white guys are in the trades. Because they like to smoke dope and can’t pass the drug tests for other jobs. Oooooh, did she really write that? It’s one of my theories and I’m sticking to it. That’s the other reason they’re bitter. They smoke dope and have no ambition and barely get by. All of which is sure to make a man grouchy. Particularly when you work in fabulous homes you won’t ever come close to making your own.

One time, on the job with nice guy from Honduras, all the big fat white mediocre housekeeper could do was complain about Mexicans being in the house, as if they were spreading leprosy or something. I guess she thought since I was white I would agree with her. The Mexicans in the house were painting and remodeling. I couldn’t help but advise the homeowner. The next time I was there, a lovely Mexican woman, the wife of the main painter, had taken her place. It was so nice working there with her Christian music playing and all the bad energy from the big fat bitter white maid long gone. The house was also a lot cleaner.

On the job, Mexican subcontractors are more fun to work around. They like to sing. And it’s funny because they really think they can sing well even when they don’t. The white guys are generally grouchy and wishing they were somewhere else.

As I was pondering all this on the job the other day, it occurred to me how much I like to work. I actually like hard work and admire others who work hard (along with people who are smart, and food that is fresh.) I like to accomplish projects and get stuff done. It makes me feel good. I am fulfilled. I wondered how I got to be this way. How do you instill this kind of work ethic in a person, particularly your child? Why am I happy that I climbed a ladder for seven hours and can barely move around without wincing from my various old lady aches and pains? I could have a desk job sitting on my rear, but I don’t want one. Why do some admire sedentary executives in suits over masters of rock work?

The other reason the trades are so fulfilling is because you get a job and you do the job and the job gets finished. It's not like one of those jobs that just keeps on coming and you have no sense of completion. It makes me think of Newman the mailman on Seinfeld. When I finish for the day and limp on out to my truck, I can see what I've done. Usually I'm happy about it. Sometimes I'm all angst-ridden, not in love with it, generally tormented. It’s not all fun and games.

To conclude, I'll leave you with this. It's from the Bible. "The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." -- Leviticus 19:34

Oh, and after Moses told everybody what God said in Leviticus, that other guy, Jesus, said “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

That ought to throw some gas on the fire. I’ll save my comparisons between the Israelites and Mexicans in the promised land for another day …

36 comments:

Lavender Chick said...

This was a great post! And yes, I agree with yo 100% as I have been living in a construction zone for 4 years. In fact, I have a very talented Mexican working for us right now re-doing what 2 drunk white guys completely screwed up. I only wish I had come across the Mexican before the 2 white guys that were drunk on the job everyday by 2:00...

I believe that we should all just get along. Kind of like how the coyotes and deer and have figured out how to put up with us with all our over-development.

Also - I noticed you have this twitter thing on your side bar. You must educate me. I have no idea what that is.

Greyeyes said...

Ha Ha Ha!!!! I love it!!! Evidently i am not alone in this world after all. Prior to getting heat stroke in '95 i worked as an electrician. I've worked with every human adjective you can think of and by and large the Hispanics corner the market on the best to work with. One thing i think you missed in your post is that they generally tend to their business with some pride in the end result. Anytime you can find someone that puts themselves in their work and it's not simply a means to a paycheck you are going to end up with a conclusion.
I even loved your choice of scripture, though i'm not going back to church till the crypt keeper is out of office. (a.k.a. the current pope)
Rock on with your bad self and don't get too hung up on what other people think. I thoroughly enjoyed your post, Thanks and Keep being yourself!!! D

Paige said...

Sami,
Fabulous post! I think I'll print this one:) From your wera friend!!!!

Paige L.

Anonymous said...

Are you people serious? The most amusing thing about this is that you actually think you're "pro Mexican" because you're putting down the white subcontactors that you speak of. You're a joke lady! Let me guess......you have Mexian friends!!

Paige said...

Who the hell doesn't have Mexican friends or any other ethnic group of friends. Where the hell do you live????

Paige

Painted Groove Girl said...

Obviously "Anonymous" missed the point that I was writing about something I have observed on the job and writing about people I admire vs. qualities in others I don't want to emulate. There are exceptions to every rule, but I'm standing by this one. I may need to amend my comments to only those who'll use their real usernames since anonymity apparently helps people feel more secure in being nasty.

Meg said...

Sami! I couldn't have said it better myself! El Jefe has always said that he would rather have Mexicans working for him on a construction job any day, simply because they came in on time, they worked thier assess off and never, ever bitched about ANYTHING! Plus, they shared the best tacos with him that he had ever tasted!

WELL Done!

助けて~! said...

凄く困ってます☆ love-cac@docomo.ne.jp すぐに連絡ください

精神年齢 said...

あなたの精神年齢を占ってみよう!当サイトは、みんなの「精神年齢度」をチェックする性格診断のサイトです。精神年齢度には、期待以上の意外な結果があるかも??興味がある方はぜひどうぞ

出張ホスト said...

マダムと甘い時間を過ごしてみませんか?性欲を持て余しているセレブたちは出張ホストサービスで男性を探し、セックスを求めているのです。ホスト希望の方なら容姿や年齢は一切不問!ご近所の女性を探して、多額の報酬をゲットしよう

メル友募集 said...

今まで同い年や年下としか付き合ったことなくて疲れてしまいました…優しくリードしてくれるような大人の男性に憧れます。 ayu-cha@docomo.ne.jpよかったらメールしてみてください。

逆円助 said...

さあ、今夏も新たな出会いを経験してみませんか?当サイトは円助交際の逆、つまり女性が男性を円助する『逆円助交際』を提供します。逆円交際を未経験の方でも気軽に遊べる大人のマッチングシステムです。年齢上限・容姿・経験一切問いません。男性の方は無料で登録して頂けます。貴方も新たな出会いを経験してみませんか

精神年齢 said...

みんなの精神年齢を測定できる、メンタル年齢チェッカーで秘められた年齢がズバリわかっちゃう!かわいいあの子も実は精神年齢オバサンということも…合コンや話のネタに一度チャレンジしてみよう

童貞卒業 said...

童貞卒業を考えているなら、迷わずココ!今まで童貞とヤッた事がない女性というのは意外と多いものです。そんな彼女たちは一度童貞とやってみたいと考えるのは自然な事と言えるでしょう。当サイトにはそんな好奇心旺盛な女性たちが登録されています

熟女 said...

熟女だって性欲がある、貴方がもし人妻とSEXしてお金を稼ぎたいのなら、一度人妻ワイフをご利用ください。当サイトには全国各地からお金持ちのセレブたちが集まっています。女性から男性への報酬は、 最低15万円からと決めております。興味のある方は一度当サイト案内をご覧ください

オナニー said...

女の子のオナニーを手伝って報酬をもらう仕事に興味はありませんか?新感覚SNSの当サイトで見るだけで3万円、お手伝いで5万円の高額アルバイトを始めてみたい方は当サイトへどうぞ。

小向美奈子 said...

話題の小向美奈子ストリップを盗撮!入念なボディチェックをすり抜けて超小型カメラで撮影した神動画がアップ中!期間限定配信の衝撃的映像を見逃すな

素人 said...

癒されたい女性や、寂しい素人女性を心も体も癒してあげるお仕事をご存じですか?女性宅やホテルに行って依頼主の女性とHしてあげるだけで高額の謝礼を手に入れる事が出来るのです。興味のある方は当サイトTOPページをご覧ください

メル友募集 said...

最近仕事ばかりで毎日退屈してます。そろそろ恋人欲しいです☆もう夏だし海とか行きたいな♪ k.c.0720@docomo.ne.jp 連絡待ってるよ☆

ホスト said...

女性向け風俗サイトで出張デリバリーホストをしてみませんか?時給2万円以上の超高額アルバイトです。無料登録をしてあとは女性からの呼び出しを待つだけなので、お試し登録も歓迎です。興味をもたれた方は今すぐどうぞ。

家出 said...

最近TVや雑誌で紹介されている家出掲示板では、全国各地のネットカフェ等を泊り歩いている家出娘のメッセージが多数書き込みされています。彼女たちはお金がないので掲示板で知り合った男性の家にでもすぐに泊まりに行くようです。あなたも書き込みに返事を返してみませんか

動物占い said...

あなたの性格を、動物に例えて占っちゃいます。もしかしたらこんな動物かも!?動物占いをうまく使って、楽しい人間関係を築いてください

家出 said...

家出中の女性や泊まる所が無い女性達がネットカフェなどで、飲み放題のドリンクで空腹を満たす生活を送っています。当サイトはそんな女性達をサポートしたいという人たちと困っている女性たちの為のサイトです

セレブラブ said...

セレブ女性との割り切りお付き合いで大金を稼いでみませんか?女性に癒しと快楽、男性に謝礼とお互い満たしあえる当サイト、セレブラブはあなたの登録をお待ちしております。

夏フェス!! said...

夏フェス一緒に行ってくれる人募集!!夏の思い出一緒につくろぉ☆ megumi-0830@docomo.ne.jp 連絡してね♪

逆円 said...

全国各地の女性会員様の性欲を満たし、割り切ったアルバイト感覚で稼げる逆円バイト。報酬は平均で1回5~10万円となっております。興味のある方は当サイト新規無料エントリーからお早めにどうぞ

無料ゲーム said...

あなたのゲーマー度を無料ゲーム感覚で測定します。15個の質問に答えるだけの簡単測定で一度遊んでみませんか?ゲームが得意な人もそうでない人もぜひどうぞ。

素人 said...

Hな女性たちは素人ホストを自宅やホテルに呼び、ひとときの癒しを求めていらっしゃいます。当サイトでは男性ホスト様の人員が不足しており、一日3~4人の女性の相手をするホストもおられます。興味を持たれた方は当サイトにぜひお越しください

出会い系 said...

実は出会い系には…関係者用入り口があるのを知っていますか?広告主やスポンサー用に用意されたIDではサクラや業者が立ち入ることが出来ないようになっているのです。当サイトでは極秘に入手した関係者用URLが公開されています

逆援助 said...

男性はお金、女性は快楽を得る逆援助に興味はありませんか?お金を払っても性的欲求を満たしたいセレブ達との割り切り1日のお付き合いで当サイトでは大金を得ることができます。無料登録なのでアルバイト感覚でOK、詳しくはTOPページでどうぞ。

友達募集 said...

ホムペ完成記念!私の事みんなに知ってもらいたくて頑張りましたぁ。色々とご感想をお待ちしているので思った事を意見してください。メアドはほむぺにのせてありますぅ!★ fan.jna@docomo.ne.jp

家出 said...

夏休みで気軽に家出する女子○生が急増しています。しかし家出したはいいものの泊る所やお金が無い彼女たちは、掲示板などで泊めてくれる男性を探す子も多いようです。当掲示板にも夏休みに入ってから通常の3倍以上のメッセージが寄せられています

逆円 said...

今夏も新たな出会いを経験してみませんか?当サイトは円交の逆、つまり女性が男性を円助する『逆円交際』を提供します。未経験の方でも気軽に遊べる大人のマッチングシステムです。年齢上限・容姿・経験一切問いません。男性の方は無料で登録して頂けます。貴方も新たな出会いを経験してみませんか

人妻 said...

今最もアツイバイトは人妻とのセフレ契約です。当サイトではお金を払ってでもセフレがほしい人妻が集まり、男性会員様との逆援生活を待っています。当サイトで欲求不満の女性との出会いをしてみませんか

素人 said...

素人ホストでは、男性のテクニック次第で女性会員様から高額な謝礼がもらえます。欲求不満な人妻や、男性と出会いが無い女性達が当サイトで男性を求めていらっしゃいます。興味のある方はTOPページからどうぞ

友達募集中 said...

少し魅惑な自分をネットだから公開してみました。普段言えない事など、思い切って告白しているプロフなので興味ある方はぜひ除いてみてください連絡待ってまぁす。 hinyaaaaa@docomo.ne.jp