Can you imagine a moral lesson behind the replacement of a ‘spindle’ on a water tap? I would guess not. But there is a story and a moral lesson for everyone.
But before I get into that story and lesson, I have a confession to make. Till several years before, I used to be the guy who jumps in to offer solutions, remedies and repair options when neighbours and people in the vicinity run into trouble - any sort of trouble. In the last couple of years, I’ve desisted from offering my advice, suggestion and help in such matters. The reason was that my well wishers told me that many people who enjoy the fruits of such advice, though valuing the advice, tend to resent me. Not because of the habit to offer advice, but for being ‘correct’ all the time.
In fact, my GF told me that I have an ability to foresee trouble, even those that will befall others. That I have a character flaw in trying to mitigate the miseries of others. The GF added that such foresight creates resentment; that some of the beneficiaries have started to refer to me as a ‘storm crow’.
So for the last couple of years, I’ve deliberately kept myself off from offering advice or suggestions, not only unsolicited, but even when obliquely asked to do so.
The decision was to only and exclusively offer my views when expressly asked - at least twice - for advice.
Thus when a neighbour asked twice to suggest the services of a plumber, to replace a spindle on a leaking faucet, I did. Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of handymen who are reliable, do not abandon or shirk work midway, charge a decent reimbursement, do not short change (too much) on the materials and most important, have a good knowledge of their work and offer honest, good advice about the repairs.
So the handyman was summoned and before taking him to meet the neighbour, I made it clear that whatever happens is between him and the neighbour. He is free to charge his ‘fair’ wage, and he should produce a 'proper’ receipt for any materials he procures. A point I made sure to emphasise in front of the neighbour.
That emphasis was to insure myself from any blowbacks; and as the story unfolds, you would realise that it was a wise comment to make.
Important to mention here that an acquaintance who overheard my instructions cautioned the handyman that ‘spindles’ of water taps vary and we cannot use the ones meant for ordinary ‘cheap’ taps in the ‘costlier’ makes or models.
I agreed and added that most likely the taps in the apartment are the original ones put in by the builder and are of the ‘costlier’ variety and probably ‘obsolete’ make or models - for which spares may not be available. I know the ‘obsolete’ part from personal experience while forced to replace many of the worn out faucets in my own apartment.
The handyman went to work on Monday, and after introducing him as I had a tasty broth to sip, went away.
Perchance I ran into him this evening and pulled his leg about ‘padding’ the materials bill. Now I don’t claim that the handymen in my ‘list’, walk on water. They do pad up the material bills, but are ‘decent’ about it. The average padding that I’ve grown to be accustomed is ~10%.
His retort both stunned and left me in splits. It appears the good neighbour had ‘found’ out that a spindle for a water tap costs Rs. 35/- and handed him that exact amount to fetch one. The problem was the tap in question was one of the ‘costlier’ make/model which doesn’t take the ‘normal’ cheaper spares, of which the good one wasn’t aware of.
I also have a very good idea about the other ‘well-intentioned’ neighbour, who has poked his nose into the incident. I would restrict my comments to say that while his nose is long, his general knowledge, common sense, problem solving ability and even the ‘goodness’ of intentions, isn’t so far reaching.
Oh! who am I fooling. The first 3 of his abilities don’t even cater to his family well being adequately, forget about the concern for others.
>:->
To cut the long story short. The spindle didn’t suit the tap and water continued to leak. Any other handyman would have brought out the issue and earned himself a bad name. But as I said before, the handymen in my list are resourceful. The handyman removed the dilapidated nylon washer from the old spindle, sleeved it on to the new, ill fitting one, and avoided a show stopper.
He even chided me by saying not to call him the next time that tap fails, as it is sure to do so, depending upon usage, within a month or so -definitely within an year.
:-D
Try as I might, I could not find fault with his work ethics.
Though to be honest, if I had been present on Monday morning and had known about the ‘sleeved’ washer, despite my recent experience and resolve, I still would have jumped in to earn a bad name!
LOL
But before I get into that story and lesson, I have a confession to make. Till several years before, I used to be the guy who jumps in to offer solutions, remedies and repair options when neighbours and people in the vicinity run into trouble - any sort of trouble. In the last couple of years, I’ve desisted from offering my advice, suggestion and help in such matters. The reason was that my well wishers told me that many people who enjoy the fruits of such advice, though valuing the advice, tend to resent me. Not because of the habit to offer advice, but for being ‘correct’ all the time.
In fact, my GF told me that I have an ability to foresee trouble, even those that will befall others. That I have a character flaw in trying to mitigate the miseries of others. The GF added that such foresight creates resentment; that some of the beneficiaries have started to refer to me as a ‘storm crow’.
So for the last couple of years, I’ve deliberately kept myself off from offering advice or suggestions, not only unsolicited, but even when obliquely asked to do so.
The decision was to only and exclusively offer my views when expressly asked - at least twice - for advice.
Thus when a neighbour asked twice to suggest the services of a plumber, to replace a spindle on a leaking faucet, I did. Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of handymen who are reliable, do not abandon or shirk work midway, charge a decent reimbursement, do not short change (too much) on the materials and most important, have a good knowledge of their work and offer honest, good advice about the repairs.
So the handyman was summoned and before taking him to meet the neighbour, I made it clear that whatever happens is between him and the neighbour. He is free to charge his ‘fair’ wage, and he should produce a 'proper’ receipt for any materials he procures. A point I made sure to emphasise in front of the neighbour.
That emphasis was to insure myself from any blowbacks; and as the story unfolds, you would realise that it was a wise comment to make.
Important to mention here that an acquaintance who overheard my instructions cautioned the handyman that ‘spindles’ of water taps vary and we cannot use the ones meant for ordinary ‘cheap’ taps in the ‘costlier’ makes or models.
I agreed and added that most likely the taps in the apartment are the original ones put in by the builder and are of the ‘costlier’ variety and probably ‘obsolete’ make or models - for which spares may not be available. I know the ‘obsolete’ part from personal experience while forced to replace many of the worn out faucets in my own apartment.
The handyman went to work on Monday, and after introducing him as I had a tasty broth to sip, went away.
Perchance I ran into him this evening and pulled his leg about ‘padding’ the materials bill. Now I don’t claim that the handymen in my ‘list’, walk on water. They do pad up the material bills, but are ‘decent’ about it. The average padding that I’ve grown to be accustomed is ~10%.
His retort both stunned and left me in splits. It appears the good neighbour had ‘found’ out that a spindle for a water tap costs Rs. 35/- and handed him that exact amount to fetch one. The problem was the tap in question was one of the ‘costlier’ make/model which doesn’t take the ‘normal’ cheaper spares, of which the good one wasn’t aware of.
I also have a very good idea about the other ‘well-intentioned’ neighbour, who has poked his nose into the incident. I would restrict my comments to say that while his nose is long, his general knowledge, common sense, problem solving ability and even the ‘goodness’ of intentions, isn’t so far reaching.
Oh! who am I fooling. The first 3 of his abilities don’t even cater to his family well being adequately, forget about the concern for others.
>:->
To cut the long story short. The spindle didn’t suit the tap and water continued to leak. Any other handyman would have brought out the issue and earned himself a bad name. But as I said before, the handymen in my list are resourceful. The handyman removed the dilapidated nylon washer from the old spindle, sleeved it on to the new, ill fitting one, and avoided a show stopper.
He even chided me by saying not to call him the next time that tap fails, as it is sure to do so, depending upon usage, within a month or so -definitely within an year.
:-D
Try as I might, I could not find fault with his work ethics.
- the handyman’s advice and expertise weren’t asked for.
- the consumer specified a particular spare to be procured.
- the consumer even mentioned the specific price.
- the consumer indicated ‘that’ particular spare be put in.
- the handyman has done what was ‘ordered’ and expected of him.
- the problem of the water leak has been solved.
- the good neighbour and the nosy neighbour both think that they’ve put one over me.
- the handyman has earned his ‘honest’ wage for an hour of work - Rs. 100/ (~$2), and,
- I’ve a great post for my blog!
Though to be honest, if I had been present on Monday morning and had known about the ‘sleeved’ washer, despite my recent experience and resolve, I still would have jumped in to earn a bad name!
LOL
No comments:
Post a Comment