I’m worried about men. I was in Lowe’s a couple days ago trying to purchase some aluminum angle. THREE guys didn’t know what that was. I amplified and said “I need some structural metal.” Blank stares. I said “You know, metal angles, channels, square tubes, round tubes, bar stock.” They looked at me as if I were a cyclops. I wandered the aisles until I finally found the metals section.
To his credit, one youngster went off to find the Grand Old Man of Lowe’s Who Knows Things and brought him over to me. The rack was out of 1” x 1” x 1/8” angle aluminum, but the Grand Old Man climbed the portable stairs and found some way up high.
Does anybody under 40 make anything anymore? Does anybody under 40 know anything about metal and fabrication?
Moral of my story: we shouldn’t just go slamming women for not knowing about those dashboard lights. Their male counterparts seem to be working at Lowe’s.
My son does. He plumbs.
He was taught by great men in VBS who took their vacations to teach boys how to repair engines
He was taught by men in Royal Rangers who taught boys how to do manly outdoor things
He was taught by men kind enough to take this hyper talkative young boy hunting.
He was taught by the DVD Lawnmower Repair. It is truly great!
He was taught by the volunteer fire department men who took him in as a JR Volunteer at age 15 and he is now in year 12
He was taught by the men who helped him when we bought our first motor a 22 hp Craftsman Lawnmower tractor at age 10
He was taught by the men at church who gave him pointers on repairing the very used go cart he bought with saved money.
He was taught by UTube when he laid down a 70 foot curving brick sidewalk at 16. His memorable sentence? I finally figured it out Mom you didn’t buy any curved bricks!
He was taught by the men at church and others who gave him pointers on buying and repairing numerous dirt bikes.
He again was taught by UTube as he learned to run a wet saw and lay a 20 by 20 ceramic tile floor at 17.
He was taught by men who took the time, who talked to him, who listened.
You are correct about the staff at those big box hardware stores. A buyer has to know the product. One cannot always trust the staff. I was looking for pocket door hardware and pocket doors..staff told me they (HD) didn’t carry it. I found them and kindly showed him where they were. He was the older expert in the department.
Note: people need a license to drive. Part of the test should be if they know how to operate all basic equipment and know what the lights, guages, computer screens, and knobs on the dashboard mean. Everabody.