Bad day at the office.

[secret squirrel]

I'm not happy at the moment and unfortunately I can't discuss this with anyone other than my mate so you'll have to suffer.

I was offered a job for a couple of days as a plumbers mate for a couple of plumbers on quite a big job. It seemed quite interesting so I popped along. I didn't mind at all doing the donkey work, tea, lunch run blah blah. Stress free, pick up some tips etc.

My mate a very good friend was one plumber and the other about 26 was a cocky chap. Some people instantly rub you up the wrong way he was one! (my problem not his). Started off quite amicable but became quite abusive and insulting, not what was said but the manner etc. I looked at my mate who muttered 'no'. I bit my tongue. Day went on called quite a few choice names, I looked at my mate who shrugged his shoulders.

I said to the chap if he continues along this line I'll explain the error of his ways to him. He picked up a hammer looked at me and said......

My mate got between me and him and as usual everyone stopped work. Apparently, according to my new mate my bottle had left.

I thought discretion is the best part of valour and backed down. Everyone continued with there work but I was boiling.

As we left the job my mate explained I did the right thing, I saw my new friend getting in his van, jumped out of the passenger seat before anything was said smacked him straight in the face, he's fallen back into his van and I've gone in after him. My mate plus a plasterer on the job pulled me out. I casually walked back to my mates van and he drove to his house.

I thought I'd grown out of this but obviously I haven't, the trouble is I only partially regret it. If, my girl friend finds out, OMG, I'll be for it. My mate didn't say anything all the way back, which sort of worries me. Actually, I do regret it.

 

[mfgs]

The bloke sounds like an idiot, he might not be soo mouthy to people in the future now.

I have never understood the need for people in a percieved position of power to feel they can talk down and be rude to people who do a supposed less important job. Im on a big job at the moment and near enough all the skilled guys and just plain rude to the labourers for no real reason, it really ****es me off as I talk to them exactly the same as I talk to anyone.

 

[stevetheplumber]

i know how you feel i was like that when i was younger but it realy dosent get you anywhere as youll eventually realise my problem was once i was angry i couldnt articulate what i wanted to say and then lashed out you need to look at yourselve carefully and find a way out of the patten of behaviour
im realy not judging you just saying how it was for me

 

[dontknowitall]

...
As we left the job my mate explained I did the right thing, I saw my new friend getting in his van, jumped out of the passenger seat before anything was said smacked him straight in the face, he's fallen back into his van and I've gone in after him. My mate plus a plasterer on the job pulled me out. I casually walked back to my mates van and he drove to his house....

Bad day at the office?

???

Sounds like a crackingly, brilliant day!!!

Some of us lead such sheltered lives ...

 

[CES]

SS, cant say I agree with it, but then again cant blame you really. Guys like this obviously have something missing in their lives that they feel the need to degrade other people in order to look clever. There's nothing big or clever about trying to put someone down, some say its a deflection mechanism, they cant slag themselves off so they pick a target usually someone they consider beneath them and let rip. Its schoolkid stuff really, hope he is never in the situation where the guy he slags off will be the one who could have warned him of that electric cable/hole in the floor/ dodgy scaffold ...but didn't. BTW I probably would have skelped him too (but offsite away from watchful eyes!)

 

[REDSAW]

better hope he dosnt report you for an unprovoked attack, after the fact!.
then if he dont, and you still have the job, be interesting or dangerous to see what happens tomorrow?.

i used to work with one like that, picked up another of his customers yesterday as they thought he was an arse too, but i am thick skinned and do what was mentioned before, wait for them to enter the trap as i am a dirty bugger.lol.

 

[Barry98]

SS be honest it felt good to slap him initally didnt it

 

[Mike Jackson]

I used to be very hot headed but I tended to lash out at inanimate objects rather than people because I know what damage I can do.

Nowdays I tend to keep quiet, bide my time and get my own back in more subtle ways.

 

[quality]

It ain't the best way to deal with these situations but it don't half make ya feels like you have achieved something for a short time when you give someone a pasting then you realise you have achieved nothing but caused more grief

 

[secret squirrel]

Went in this morning, my mate asked whether I felt better and I explained to him how and why and he understood. (his opinion actually means something to me) my new friend, well, not surprisingly avoided me, I did take him a cuppa and said morning etc. This broke the ice and he has been pleasant as much as anyone would be. The plasterer just nodded at me and later explained that it was nothing to do with him and he'll keep his mouth shut.

Of course, the few other trades have looked at him (being a bit bruised) and asked whether it was a big door etc. This was all laughed off by everyone etc.

I did regret it happening but for the wrong reasons really, it may have caused a problem between my friend which I would have been upset about. Also, if, I come across these tradesmen on this house again, I would have earnt a reputation which would have been undeserved. People may have there suspicions but that is all they are.

From my point of view. I must try and stop stewing over issues like this muppet and rise above it. With any luck I hope this young tradesman has learnt a little bit of respect for everyone and that bullies will not win the day but I doubt he's learnt anything, he has just got a dented bit of pride.

 

[secret squirrel]

SS be honest it felt good to slap him initally didnt it

Oh god..... YES but only intially

 

[PlumbBobBob]

maybe it would have been better in hindsight if you had retaliated verbally rather than physically. i know it's satisfying at the time but it's regretted almost as soon as you do it.

 

[mountainman]

I make you right, there is no excuse for making someone look small.
Never been much of a fighter myself but there has been the odd occasion when I wished I hadn't turned the other cheek.
No worriies nowadays though, the only fighting I do is for breath!
MM

 

[Hybrid]

A guy was being a ******** so you ****ted him. I don't see the problem really, it's refreshing. If he can't take a pasting he should shut his his gob before he has to have it wired.
It's all out in the open and it's done with. If you'd said nothing he would have carried on and there'd still be something simmering.
I gave a guy a hiding once for something similar, he was a foreman who tried to make me wash the windows on site. I refused and told him if he had a problem he can meet me after the day was done, met him in the car park and kicked his arse. He's my best mate now.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Many years ago whilst at college there was a youngster who thought he was something special. He was always interrupting lessons and generally being a pain in the backside. He also had a penchant for playing stupid practical jokes.

He took it too far one lunchtime, 3 of us slightly more mature students were sat outside the marina pavilion on the seafront having our customary lunchtime pint when a bottle of coke landed on the table and smashed the 3 glasses. Looking up we saw his face grinning over the railings above. I was furious and got up and ran up the steps onto the prom. He took flight with me on his heels. I'm not the lightest person in the world and he regularly competed in triathlons so he should have got away easily. Unfortunately for him I was a lot fitter than I looked and with the adrenaline rush due to the anger I kept up with him for the half mile back to the college and caught up with him in the art block.

He was more than a little shocked when I picked him up by the throat and held him against the wall one handed. I told him that if he tried a stunt like that again I'd break his f***ing legs and let him go.

Not the wisest thing to do as I would have been in deep doodah had any lecturers see me but if ever he caused hassle in college again I only had to look at him and he'd quieten down.