Stop watching me....Don't you have something better to do?

[jaylectricity]

He is also the guy that told me he added up all the breakers in his panel and it was about 800 amps and his main is only 200 amps so he thinks he need a service upgrade.

Sell him one of these:

 

[SEO]

My brother was sent out to a residence to install several recessed lights. It was going to require a lot of fishing and where the lights were supposed to go it was just about an impossible job. My brother was on the site for about an hour laying the job out, he hadn't drilled or cut any holes yet when the lady of the house who had been watching him asked if there was anybody at his shop that was better than him. What a slap. He called his boss and told him that he would take a layoff before he worked for her.

 

[MF Dagger]

I would have taken a minute or two to explain to her that only the best electricians measure and layout before diving in.

 

[SEO]

I would have taken a minute or two to explain to her that only the best electricians measure and layout before diving in.

My brother is a very proud seasoned electrician and excellent at his craft. But he thought it best to leave because he knew that no matter what he did she wouldn't be pleased. He also has a temper and it was all he could do to keep his mouth shut and leave.

 

[MF Dagger]

Hey, it takes a good man to recognize that his temper can get the best of him and walk away, I've seen lots of people blow up and while at times it seems understandable it usually isn't very acceptable. Kudos to him for knowing his breaking point

 

[steelersman]

Hey, it takes a good man to recognize that his temper can get the best of him and walk away, I've seen lots of people blow up and while at times it seems understandable it usually isn't very acceptable. Kudos to him for knowing his breaking point

Yeah kudos to him. Almond Joy bars to me.

 

[Sparky555]

It used to make me nervous to have people watching me. Now I don't care if they pull up a chair. However, if I'm doing a little live testing I tell them it's dangerous & they're distracting me.

 

[MF Dagger]

I don't mind usually unless they hover right over my shoulder. Little kids are usually pretty fun if they can listen well and stay where you ask them to. I had a boy the other day tell me I could see the squirrel in the attic when I was on my way up. Said "I sure hope not!"

 

[Strahan]

After reading all these replies I find comfort in knowing this happens to everyone. I also sympathize with you residential guys that would just be very eeeery being one on one with someone watching you constantly. With working in a high paced industrial setting I have atleast 6 to 12 people standing over my shoulder all the way to the plant manager when something goes down. At first this is very tough to deal with I used to get so worked up and nervous actually to the point I couldn't think. Now it doesn't bother me one bit first of all it gets better with experience and second I realized that they do not have a clue as to what I'm doing. Lots of luck guys and remember we are the professionals:grin:

 

[LarryFine]

Sell him one of these:

Where can I get a sign like that one?

 

[ohm]

If I'm on T & M I don't mind someone looking over my shoulder but, if there are pets or kids around messing with my tools or I'm working hot boxes I ask that they leave.

I will take all the time they want answering questions and chatting. I make lots of friends and repeat customers that way. They're constantly bringing drinks & lunches. They carry my tools, pull wire and flip switches.

I wired an IBEW union hall and even offered to certify their hours if they worked free (no one bit).

 

[kluchon]

Stop Watching Me

Stop Watching Me

Simply tell them that it costs 1.5 times as much if they watch and 2 times as much if they help.

 

[kgalarneault]

looky lou's

looky lou's

when People tend to watch me work I tell them it will cost them twice as much if they are watching me do the work. they find something do do with themselfs pretty quik:grin:

 

[MAK]

I remember working in a network closet on a card access panel with the maintenance supervisor leaning over my shoulder asking me questions about what was wrong with the panel how it happened etc.... No big deal there, but when he decided to eat his peanut butter and Jelly sandwich over my shoulder and dripped jelly on the back of my shirt, shoulder, and neck.............."Houston we have a problem"

 

[ohm]

I called for an inspection on a mobile home service. The inspections that day were slow he said he could be there in a couple of hours instead of the next day. I said I should be through by then. Well in about a half an hour he shows up and he will wait until I'm finished.

I told him I never worked on a job with the cops looking over my shoulder before. He laughed and in a about an hour signed off. What a hoot!

 

[r_merc]

I don't care

I don't care

If a home owner wants to look over my shoulder... I don't care Most home owners don't have a clue and get bored watching. So be nice, be friendly and be polite.


OTH Kids messing with my tools tends to get my BP up

Rick

 

[Teaspoon]

We all have to deal with curious customers. Most of the time it doesn't bother me.
I worked Industrial Maintenance for several years,when there was a break-down,
there would be 1 to a dozen supervisors standing around looking over our shoulders asking questions. This was good conditioning for me. Because I learned to tune them out,when Iwas in a situation that required my full attention. I enjoy talking with my customers answering their questions. But if I am in a situation that requires my full attention. I tend to tune them out. I will explain that I don't mean to be rude but i am having to give my work full attention. Most understand.

 

[stickboy1375]

After following me from the basement to the attic a few times they tend to give up. :grin:

 

[tonyou812]

I dont usually put up with kids touching my stuff or sniffing around especially if its hot work. I simply tell the ho to call me back when I can work undisturbed.
One time I was doing an above ground pool and when I went to the truck I saw his two girls in it as I usually leave the main doors open. Needless to say my BP shot up. I called the HO from inside and told him if he cant keep his kids out of my way (while pointing to the truck with his little kids in it) that I would have to come back another day and cant promise when it would be. This was the middle of the summer, mind you and he really wanted that pool hooked up asap. I had him sign a contract and got half the money up front. He said no problem and went over to my truck and when his kids saw him they immediatly knew they were in trouble.

 

[TOOL_5150]

I dont usually put up with kids touching my stuff or sniffing around especially if its hot work. I simply tell the ho to call me back when I can work undisturbed.
One time I was doing an above ground pool and when I went to the truck I saw his two girls in it as I usually leave the main doors open. Needless to say my BP shot up. I called the HO from inside and told him if he cant keep his kids out of my way (while pointing to the truck with his little kids in it) that I would have to come back another day and cant promise when it would be. This was the middle of the summer, mind you and he really wanted that pool hooked up asap. I had him sign a contract and got half the money up front. He said no problem and went over to my truck and when his kids saw him they immediatly knew they were in trouble.

Yeah kids are a problem sometimes. I had a couple of times where I had a panel open, pulling circuits to it. Kids were outside messing with stuff. I told the HO that the kids have to stay inside for safty reasons. I explain to the customer the dangers and they are usually all ears.

I always try to be as polite as possible under all circumstances though.

~Matt