Pfiend101 Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 Women what are your views on someone who works construction? The reason I ask is because I know my ex's mom looked down on it. I am in a 5 year Union Apprenticeship and end up making a very good wage. I am comfortable with it myself. I just wondered what your opinions are. She seemed to think construction workers are just deadbeats who couldn't make it into college. It frustrates me a little as some people have no clue as to the kind of thought it takes to build a large commercial building.
Els Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 I know in my country they're generally paid horribly, because anyone who hasn't graduated from high school or any illegal immigrant can be one. Thus they are looked down upon quite a bit, yes. I personally wouldn't discount a guy just because he's one, though - odds of finding an intelligent, well-educated construction worker here are low, but if I do find one, he's as good as any other!
phineas Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 In NYS the average pay for a construction worker is $61k a yr. Now general laborers get paid far less however electrical & systems guys get paid far more. They sound like high-brow snobbish types to me. When it comes to my family, we work jobs where we have to dress decently. He's a sales rep i'm an IT guy. If I or my dad ran into a co-worker on the weekend while we were running errends during a home project they don't even recognize us because were usually covered in dirt or grease & sweat & dressed like bums. 1
DustySaltus Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 As long as you're not one of the guys whistling and saying "hey, oh, hey baby, come eerr', looking gooooooddd mami" during lunch time in front of the site....you should be ok.
stillafool Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 Construction Workers = HOT, HOT, HOT,:bunny::bunny:!!!! I love a man who can handle his big, heavy equipment. 1
carhill Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 OP, the best advice I can offer you, as someone who has worked the trades his whole life, is to not care what women think. If you love what you do, you will have a full life. My best friend took an eighth grade education, a lot of hard work and a love for the trades and built a multi-million dollar business whom a whole bunch a people depend on (even me as a vendor) for their livelihoods. Your 'trade' can take you anywhere you want to go. Along the way you might meet a compatible woman. Bonus
donnamaybe Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 If the guy is working hard at an honest job and makes enough to support himself, what more could you ask for? Unless you care more about "things" than the emotional part of a relationship. Not saying you as in you specifically, but the general you.
Johnny M Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 Unfortunately, a lot of of women would discount you simply due to the fact that there is no "prestige" in working in construction. Women are extremely concerned with approval from their social circle (far more so then men), and telling your friends that you're dating a construction does not quite have the same ring to as as saying that you're dating a lawyer, doctor or investment banker. Sad as it may be, this is how a lot of women think.
carhill Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 It also applies to other occupations, like those I'm surrounded with, in farming. That greasy farmer driving the dirty pickup with a shovel in the back doesn't look too inviting, but the 6,000+ sq/ft empty mansion across the street is testament to what that shovel can do. The farmer lives elsewhere. The mansion is a tax writeoff for one of his 'farms'. You'd never know by looking at him. Times are different now, as is social acceptance and proof. Some of us just are outlier. No worries. We'll make it...
SaintDragon Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 I make 45,000 a year working just 7 months(I have winter off seasonal) and I'm in the union in construction. Hard work, but like I said..45,000 working just 7 months of the year. Summer is very hectic though..overtime every week, but those winters off are really nice. You can't look down on a man that puts in his sweat for an honest day's work. Tell your EX's mom that she can look down on all those "able" people sitting on their porches with 4 kids walking down to the quiki-mart for some smokes to just come back and watch the soaps all day collecting hard working construction worker's(Like mine) check percentages. People like me that go out, get up on the building and widdle out a living, actually building something are no one to be looked down upon.... So what if I choose not to sit in a office 12 months a year getting a sore ass programming a computer. How about cops?..she think they are just failed lawyers or something?.... Someone has to do the dirty work and Cops and construction workers are it. The reason all you can sit in that air conditioned office and be safe doing so. I would have a huge problem with your EX's mom..huge..I'd be so offended. ((huggs, my union brother)))
stillafool Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 It also applies to other occupations, like those I'm surrounded with, in farming. That greasy farmer driving the dirty pickup with a shovel in the back doesn't look too inviting, but the 6,000+ sq/ft empty mansion across the street is testament to what that shovel can do. The farmer lives elsewhere. The mansion is a tax writeoff for one of his 'farms'. You'd never know by looking at him. Times are different now, as is social acceptance and proof. Some of us just are outlier. No worries. We'll make it... To me Farmers = :bunny:HOT, HOT, HOT, AND ARE REAL MEN!:bunny:
txsilkysmoothe Posted March 26, 2010 Posted March 26, 2010 I don't care what kind of work a man does as long as he is happy and earning enough to pay his own bills and support his children, if applicable. The type of work one does is not indicative of their intelligence. I know a few men who are very intelligent but can't stand the idea of office work - being stuck inside all day. A woman who judges a man by his profession is superficial.
skydiveaddict Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 Women what are your views on someone who works construction? The reason I ask is because I know my ex's mom looked down on it. I am in a 5 year Union Apprenticeship and end up making a very good wage. I am comfortable with it myself. I just wondered what your opinions are. She seemed to think construction workers are just deadbeats who couldn't make it into college. It frustrates me a little as some people have no clue as to the kind of thought it takes to build a large commercial building. I get looked down to because of my job sometimes too (wind turbines). It's hard physical work just like yours. The funny thing is, most of us have college degrees, but since it's not an office job, it's not good enough for some people.
CLC2008 Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 I dated someone for 6 years who is a construction worker, and I also dated someone for close to 4 years who was an executive office worker. They both worked hard, IMO.
skydiveaddict Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 I dated someone for 6 years who is a construction worker, and I also dated someone for close to 4 years who was an executive office worker. They both worked hard, IMO. True. But in your opinion, who had the most social status?
CLC2008 Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 True. But in your opinion, who had the most social status? I can't say one did over the other. The construction one, was a Union Electrician, and I respected the fact that he was really into putting in a hard day at work, working OT, etc. On the flip side, he never took his job too the extreme and a lot of times goofed off. But, he was also very dependable and dedicated to his job. The office executive, was more materialistic, but he also had a really good heart and I knew the type of person he was behind the suit and for the most part, enjoyed what he did.
dazzle22 Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 I am going to stick my neck out a bit far, but I think the women who are most concerned about being with a man of status are those who aren't woman enough to get their own status by their own hard work. As a female physician I have a number of female colleagues who have married what some women would consider men of lower status. One friend is married to a substitute teacher, I am married to a man with two years of college, no degree, and another two colleagues' husbands work for them as office managers, and yet another has a boyfriend who is a carpenter. I have never heard even the slightest hint about my husband or their SOs from them as not being high enough status. I love my husband for who he is, not what he can give to me monetarily. I make my own money and always will. However, I am not going to say that is the norm with a lot of women. Quite a few harbor a secret fantasy of "being taken care of". I have seen many a gold digging barracuda circle my male colleagues, single and married. I have no respect for such women, and if I were a man I would sniff them out immediately and "throw them back".
skydiveaddict Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 However, I am not going to say that is the norm with a lot of women. Quite a few harbor a secret fantasy of "being taken care of". I have seen many a gold digging barracuda circle my male colleagues, single and married. I have no respect for such women, and if I were a man I would sniff them out immediately and "throw them back". I agree. I have met many women who, once they find out you are not a "white collar" will dismiss you at once.
threebyfate Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 Pfiend, here's my rule of thumb. The only people who's opinions matter to me, are people who honestly have my best interests in mind, people who I trust and respect. This woman is your EX's mother. Isn't she moot in your life right now?
xpaperxcutx Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 Personally I have no problem if you work a union construction especially it means you're a hard worker ( I personally find most construction workers with a tan very hot). But considering if you're comparing your ex's mother with how others see you, if I have to bring my family into this, I would say 100% that my mother would look down on you. The cultural background that I am from, construction is considered the low end of society, especially back in my family's country, the only people who apply for construction works are the ones from the countryside without any education. It's different here in the US though, you are contracted to the union, and have medical insurance and coverage. If you're happy about your job and at the end of the day is contented with yourself, then there's really nothing you hae to worry over right? Except finding a future mother- in- law who's more open less prejudiced. Also look at it this way, I have a side job as a writer, which some people look at as tacky because writing doesn't earn much. Yet I love it, whether the pay is good or not. ( Of course I'm a girl), however the point is that you are who you are, and not everyone will accept you. That's life. You'll do well grasshopper... ( haha, I'm rambling)
skydiveaddict Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 I would not personally date a construction worker who works directly making buildings (pouring concrete, attaching support beams, etc) because I would always be scared of him getting hurt. I don't think I could deal with that. Also I never pay much attention to muscley, tan, burly men, but rather the quiet intellectual types. Damn I struck out again
sweetjasmine Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 I would not personally date a construction worker who works directly making buildings (pouring concrete, attaching support beams, etc) because I would always be scared of him getting hurt. I don't think I could deal with that. Same here, and it's why I wouldn't date a cop, firefighter, etc. My SO works as a mechanic (not auto), and he still gets hurt a lot. It's hard to take sometimes, even though most of his injuries have been minor. "I got electrocuted last night...well, technically I got shocked because I'm still alive." This job is only temporary, but if he had no plans to quit and wanted to do this for the rest of his life, I don't know if I could handle weekly "I hurt this and this and that at work" stories and fairly regular "I could've lost a finger/hand/arm" stories. That being said, I respect people who work with their hands. I prefer smart, intelligent guys, but those things and manual labor aren't mutually exclusive. I don't think less of people who do construction. It tends to be a more noble profession than banking and finance.
calizaggy Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 That being said, I respect people who work with their hands. I prefer smart, intelligent guys, but those things and manual labor aren't mutually exclusive. I don't think less of people who do construction. It tends to be a more noble profession than banking and finance. I think you would be better off owning a construction business than being a worker. I know in Ohio union construction jobs pay very well ($45 an hour/full benefits), but especially with the changing economy far less companies are opting for union workers.. So they have lot's of down time. As for women, many will never date you and you just have to accept that. Watch tv, and see what is cool. That is what forms women's opinions.. If tv was filled with heroic, handsome, and romantic construction workers women would be all over you..
start-fresh Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 I think you would be better off owning a construction business than being a worker. I know in Ohio union construction jobs pay very well ($45 an hour/full benefits), but especially with the changing economy far less companies are opting for union workers.. So they have lot's of down time. It would be scary owning a construction business right now with private sector spending in the shape it's in. The stimulus funding is helping in certain areas, mainly paving and bridge contractors, but I've heard of more than one general contractor in our area going under the past year or so.
Lizzie60 Posted March 27, 2010 Posted March 27, 2010 The construction workers are the hottest.. gosh they're sexy (not all but the younger crew... hot hot hot).. They are my 'favourites'... my last ex was owned a construction company.. he's millionnaire today... and still hot.. The thing I think women are turned off.. is because these guys were viewed as school 'rejects'.. but today.. these young guys have been to school... no one can afford not to go to school... even for the trades, they're asking for some education (at least HS diploma) which wasn't the case decades ago... The important thing is that the guy is intelligent.. who cares if he build houses all day... he's in shape.. and have a hot body.. There are idiots in all 'trades' and 'professions'...
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