So here we are in Episode 2. I didn’t think there would be another episode to the men rant, but there is because I need to get this off my chest. Out of my system, so to speak, so I can sleep tonight. If you recall the last men rant, you may remember that the rant has nothing to do with the men I love, especially the one who leaves tissues, screws and pencils in pants pockets for me to find in the washer. Believe me it is the tissues that make me crazy! The same one that has a garage that requires a map to find anything. This is not about that guy.
It is, once again, about the tradesmen who have been coming and going in my house for the past several months, repairing the damage from the leaky pipe. May we never again have a leaky pipe that doesn’t present itself until that kind of damage is done. May we never again have a leaky pipe period.
There has been a flurry of men in and out of here over the past week or so with bathroom tiles and floors being put down. With new baseboards nailed in place and some other trim replaced. And believe me, we are very happy that this is getting done because really, and I mean REALLY, this has gone on long enough.
But honestly couldn’t there be a more careful and efficient way of doing things. The bathroom tiles could not be finished because there was men-made damage to the fiberglass shower base that required repair. These men were hoping the floor tiles would cover the damage. If I could look at it and know that wouldn’t work, you would think that these men, who measure all day long could figure that out too. There was also some electrical work that still needed to be done before the wall tiles could be completed. Scheduling and communication skills are really lacking in these industries.
The new wood floors were put down and everything, including the main floor because of the open concept layout, became covered with sawdust due to the fact that even though the men cut the wood outside, they left the door open. The Doc and I put the original wood floor down with a lot less mess. And we are not professionals.
On Wednesday, while one man put down baseboard, another couple showed up to work on the bathroom. They placed and leveled the vanity and put in the low wall in front of the tub. The tub, by the way, is still sitting on the carpet of the downstairs bedroom. Unfortunately they put this small tub-fronting wall in forgetting, or not knowing, that it is a wall that needs to be removable to allow for access. They effectively made it impossible for the plumber and electrician to do their jobs once the tub is back in place. How’s that for communication. And remember, the tile still isn’t finished in that bathroom.
So on Thursday the vanity and wall had to be torn back out to make this change It is pretty frustrating when I am downstairs trying to explain how to put this panel back in to the man who ripped it out (not the same guy who previously put it in). This man, who upon tearing it out, just turned it around trying to make it work leaving open gaps and messy unfinished wood, all the while implying that we would have to finish it ourselves and hoping that we would say that it looked ok.
This particular man already wasn’t in my good books because just two days before he called for one us to come down, and when he saw me coming, he literally asked if he could, “speak to the man.” I wanted to scream. Another tradesman who doesn’t like to listen to a woman. Of course when The Doc went down, I went too, and you can be damn sure that I put in my two cents worth. It was more like twenty-bucks worth because I am the detail person in this house. This man wasn’t happy so he was no longer being careful. He was cutting indoors letting sawdust go everywhere. He was priming and painting without adhering to drying guidelines. He was banging into things like freshly painted walls.
This morning (Friday) we were not expecting anyone; but nevertheless, people showed up. The cleaners and the movers. And I am thinking… but, but, but… the work is not finished. I believe all of this came about because The Doc made a call to get access to his fishing gear. Here is where I bite my tongue.
So here we are. The cleaners did a very minimal job cleaning–I know I have a huge job ahead of me to actually clean this place. The movers, all young guys brought our stuff in and just left it. One of these young men, I am old enough to be his mother or possibly grandmother if I had started early, had the audacity to call me, “Darlin,” TWICE!
WTF! What kind of mother brings up a man who calls a random woman Darlin? And what can you say or do when they are handling your stuff. And speaking of stuff, I have already noticed damage to some of our furniture. All I can say (scream) is, MEN!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for reading.
Photos: Jenn Stone
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Still Bitchy After 60 Blog 
Holy Hell! What an absolute nightmare, I’m so sorry. My blood boiled with yours when that guy asked to speak with a man. Next time that happens maybe you should say, “Well, I used to be.” That might shut him up.
🤣
Hope everything is resolved quickly and to your specifications.
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Thanks. It does make me want to scream. It’s a fine balance when it comes to saying anything to them. Love your response. I come up with my best responses hours later when they are useless.
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that would be a fantastic reply – thanks – I’m going to use that if I meet the same sexism!
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Happy to help!
😉
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OMG! What a nightmare! They sound absolutely horrible, and It looks like there wasn’t an actual competent contractor to coordinate the work and make sure that things happen in proper sequence and with quality control. I am assuming that the insurance company was in charge of this? I couldn’t help but think of Fawlty Towers and “Orally Men” 🤣
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From what I hear it is too many claims and not enough contractors. Definitely not fun. I read an article about a woman contractor who always completed jobs on time and on budget. I don’t remember where in Canada she was but we need more women like her out there.
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Sounds horrible! I hope you’re taking lots of pictures as you go so the insurance company sees how poor of a job they’re doing. After all they have to pay until it’s done properly. Have a glass of wine tonight and try not to think of it.
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Thanks. I’ve been having a glass of wine every night. Ranting seems to work better. We will survive but I have to admit that is is tiring.
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Omg, Jennifer. What a mess. Home contractors are pigs. Sorry you’re having to deal with this.
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Thanks. I keep thinking it could be worse. And it could. I just needed to harp on it. It’s therapy.
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eek that is a lot on so many levels
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It sure is!
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I think you’re behaving rather admirably, as I would have lost my patience some time back in this wretched odyssey. (Yes, I realize that one has to grit their teeth and play nice or the work might NEVER get done, professionally or crappily. But sometimes the Italian in me ignores politics and logic and instead seeks temporary revenge, later regretted…)
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Sometimes the bitch in me wants to let it rip but I am aware of the messy consequences.
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Gads! Why do contractors do that? Do they think word won’t get around?
That is how my last contracted work (bathroom) went. When I pointed out an easy-fix problem (uneven tile), their worker started acting like a spoiled, stompy-footed brat. I kept having to send photos to the company and STILL missed one: he’d torn a vertical hole through the drywall behind my furnace and water-heater to get access to the pipe he hadn’t properly secured in the shower. He covered it with a loose sheet of drywall.
Worst part? I used the same female-owned business that I’d contracted with for my kitchen re-do. She had hired men who were good workers and all-around professionals. They took care to set up plastic sheeting and vent-filters so the dust wouldn’t spread. They even figured out how to adapt my top-mounted dishwasher to save the new stone counter from drilling. I recommended that company to at least five other homeowners, based on that first job! 😦
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You do understand my frustration. I hope I don’t have to hire anyone for a job again. Wishful thinking I know.
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I wish for the best for both of us! I have to hire a plumber and an electrician soon.
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I must admit I always find the ‘love’, ‘darling’, ‘pet’ (and even ‘ducks’ in some areas here) always make me smile – I actually think it’s cute and prefer it to the young men who think I’m invisible nowadays because I got older. I never minded wolf-whistles either and always used to turn and smile – I never get them now of course…
I would have been furious with the guy who asked to speak to ‘the man’ – I thought that only happened in the Middle East to be honest or with moslems. I invited a friend to tour Jordan with me and I did all the organisation etc. Every time the tour people wanted to consult with us, they always spoke to my friend John. He used to just point to me and say “it’s her trip actually – I’m just along for the ride”. They didn’t like it but he just wouldn’t deal with them!
The chaos sounds horrendous though – especially the mess and damage – totally unacceptable. That’s one reason why when I had things like a new bathroom in my latest house, I got one company to do the whole thing. It literally cost £3000 instead of of the £500 or so to get tradesmen myself but it was coordinated, a perfect job and finished in 2 days!
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Darlin isn’t common here. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so offended if he had had a British accent.
I love your friend John’s approach to the people during your Jordan tour. Such a great friend for sure.
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Actually, no-one except Cockney Londoners would say ‘darlin’ her either. It’s mostly love – and even women call women love…
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I’m reading this morning as men are deconstructing our bathrooms. I know I’m just beginning the process so I anticipate bumps along the way. This isn’t my first home renovation, but I have yet to be called Darlin’ during any of them. Maybe this’ll be the one.
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Hopefully not. Good luck with the reno.
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Apparently you did not get the memo: Women are the more highly evolved half of the species. Not kidding. But don’t tell a man that. You’ll hurt his feelings. Y’know, they are so emotional.
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My beliefs exactly!
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