Customer's that swear
Did it ever strike you odd when you meet a potential customer and pretty soon they are using swear words around you? Ever think about what it means?
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Context.
Depends on the volume. I would generally think this means they are comfortable with you, or they think they are "fitting in" with us construction types by using profanity.
Depends on how soon and for lack of better terms, the degree and frequency they are cursing we're talkng about. If it is withen minutes after the initial meeting yes I do think it is odd, and could be a very good indication of what sort of personality they have. If it is after we have had a chance to talk for a little while they may just feel comfortable around you. Some people do curse alot, but just after meeting you is not appropriate IMO.
I curse a lot, but as a rule, I never curse in front of someone unless they have already done so multiple times. Are you sure you are not letting some slip?
"Profanity is an effort by the feeble minded to express themselves forcefully."
Thanks Rudy, I knew that comment would come in handy some day.:thumbsup:
Thanks Rudy, I knew that comment would come in handy some day.:thumbsup:
It is also a crutch, like saying, "Uh", "Like", and "well". It is also a bad habit and can be changed, as I should. @##@ that! I like's me curses!
Ya it has to make you wonder about the person and their character. I dont mind a few three letter words here and there. But when they go into the four letters constantly I just want to roll my eyes.
On a side note a friend of mind has recently stopped swearing and in its place he says shut.... the front door.
On a side note a friend of mind has recently stopped swearing and in its place he says shut.... the front door.
This is how I take it. It's usually always somebody who lets you know they have some sort of affiliation with tradework in some way or another.
Quite a few years ago, I go on a call and meet the husband. Been there like 10 minutes, we're outside talking about what they want done, and his wife pulls up.
She gets out of the car and starts asking him about this or that. He turns and yells at her "shut your c***sucker".
I couldn't believe what I had just heard! Gave him a look to kill, and just walked to my truck and drove away. I wanted to pound him into the ground, but just walked away.
How anyone could speak to their wife like that is beyond me. And I sure don't want anything to do with someone that would.
She gets out of the car and starts asking him about this or that. He turns and yells at her "shut your c***sucker".
I couldn't believe what I had just heard! Gave him a look to kill, and just walked to my truck and drove away. I wanted to pound him into the ground, but just walked away.
How anyone could speak to their wife like that is beyond me. And I sure don't want anything to do with someone that would.
Glad you got out when you did. Sometimes you find out after you have taken the job. Nothing is more akward than working on someones house when a family fight breaks out.
I make sure to never swear on the first meeting. Homeowners that swear right away always make me take a step back and usually after awhile when they realize I am not saying any of the words back, they sort of just stop saying it. Afterwards, depending on the homeowner, I may let a few words slip. Its all about professionalism. I wouldn't want to go to a doctor that says looks like you need a friggen (replace with choice word) stint in your heart.
If I interview people and they begin to swear, it actually makes me feel awkward. Here I am, in a position to give you a job and you just want to cuss right away. Is this something that is going to be said in front of the homeowner or what. IMO, people who constantly cuss just seem sloppy to me.
However, it is much different if you hit your thumb with a hammer and you swear. Thats understandable.
If I interview people and they begin to swear, it actually makes me feel awkward. Here I am, in a position to give you a job and you just want to cuss right away. Is this something that is going to be said in front of the homeowner or what. IMO, people who constantly cuss just seem sloppy to me.
However, it is much different if you hit your thumb with a hammer and you swear. Thats understandable.
Holy cow! That is all jacked up! 
I ran into a simular, very strange and awkward situation once myself, however the story didn't come out until after the contract was signed.
It was a remodel on a house that had some water damage, the husband had recently returned from Afgan to find that his wife had spent allmost all of his combat pay and apparently had a boyfriend.... I know, sounds like a freakin soap opera episode.
I was only doing the estimates at that point, but even when I was there checking out some uncovered damage the husband was telling me the new boyfriend was on his way to pick up his wife when he got there he was going to kick his....you know what... I told him, for everyones benifit I'm leaving. Felt sorry for the crew that had to go back there to do the work, but as far as I know nothing ever happened....
Crazy some of the stuff we wind up in the middle of.
I ran into a simular, very strange and awkward situation once myself, however the story didn't come out until after the contract was signed.
It was a remodel on a house that had some water damage, the husband had recently returned from Afgan to find that his wife had spent allmost all of his combat pay and apparently had a boyfriend.... I know, sounds like a freakin soap opera episode.
I was only doing the estimates at that point, but even when I was there checking out some uncovered damage the husband was telling me the new boyfriend was on his way to pick up his wife
when he got there he was going to kick his....you know what... I told him, for everyones benifit I'm leaving. Felt sorry for the crew that had to go back there to do the work, but as far as I know nothing ever happened.... Crazy some of the stuff we wind up in the middle of.
I don't mind if the person is using swear words in normal g**-d***ed conversation. Some people just f***ing talk that way.
Especially all those ***dam contractors !!!!!!!!! :laughing:
Im like Tscar. If someone has swore multiple times, I will in turn start using some expletives. Its just the way I talk for the most part. I can explain myself and describe things without using the harsh language, but for the most part I just dont. Most of the men on my Dads side of the family were in trades or worked on the railroad or in a mill. Swearing just becomes part of an everyday thing.
I personally think some folks put too much emphasis on it being 'bad'.
I personally think some folks put too much emphasis on it being 'bad'.
Here's another one. Go to see a local couple about a bathroom remodel. This is about 3 yrs ago.
I'd seen them about, but had never met them. Well we're in the bathroom, talking about what they want done, and the energy in that room was something I can't really describe. Very bad vibes.
So, I listen to my gut instints, and tell them I'm just too busy right now to do their job.
Well about 3 months later, she puts a rifle in her mouth and pulls the trigger. She lived, but lost part of her face, and suffered brain damage.
Sometimes you just have to listen to your instints, they're rarely wrong.
I'd seen them about, but had never met them. Well we're in the bathroom, talking about what they want done, and the energy in that room was something I can't really describe. Very bad vibes.
So, I listen to my gut instints, and tell them I'm just too busy right now to do their job.
Well about 3 months later, she puts a rifle in her mouth and pulls the trigger. She lived, but lost part of her face, and suffered brain damage.
Sometimes you just have to listen to your instints, they're rarely wrong.
In the field working:
- IMO, it depends on the situation. When I'm on NC jobs and the only people there are guys like us, we let it fly.
- However, in an occupied home on a remodel, I always just assume there might be kids around.
- Never
I have a mason that almost every sentence he uses in conversation is some thing f**k or this s**t. One would think he is a moron, unsuccessful or possibly not well educated. No matter what you add up about him he lands huge jobs both residential and commercial. He came to this country 20-25 years ago from Poland. Maybe he just learned the wrong way. His house is not far from mine and in this "down" market it's still about $1.5 mil so he did something right.
I usually try not to cuss until the HO lets a lot of sh*t fly :thumbsup:
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