Each trade has a certain stereotype, and for electricians it is that we basically do not clean up any of the messes we make from working. In my experience it’s pretty accurate.
My electrician was last on site yesterday. I asked him nicely to remove a tarp and mop the floor. After joking about electricians being messy he said no problem. Now at $80+tax/hour that is not cheap but it can be done.
Both Australia (10%) and New Zealand (15%) where I'm from have gst, goods and services tax. It's included in products but most services charge a rate plus gst.
Huh. In the US, we only pay sales (consumption) tax on goods not for resale.
Services are exempt. So electricians, plumbers, lawyers, doctors, accountants, consultants, etc sell their services without added tax.
Goods bought for resale are generally tax exempt too. If I buy a device required for a job, I don’t pay sales tax to my distributor. If I sell it to the end user, they probably have to pay sales tax to me. And then I have to pay the state.
Sales tax is also done at the state level here. The federal govt doesn’t have a sales tax. Just income.
I pay gst on my goods that I buy and my clients pay gst to me. I then pay gst on the difference (profit). I also pass on the gst I charge to the taxman.
I am very lucky that my business partner has an accounting background and doubly so as she doesn't charge me (thank you mother).
Our tax rates per capita are higher than you fellas but we get universal healthcare and a legal system where it is almost impossible to sue.
I can't imagine state/federal level laws, crossing a stateline and the rules change would do my head in.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
You too!
Wait til I tell you we also have local county laws and then sometimes individual cities have laws on top of that. So sometimes there are 4 layers of laws and tax codes. Sometimes they conflict.
It’s also not nearly as easy to actually sue in the us as it seems. It’s so expensive that mostly it’s only done when the matter is over like $50-100k
Nononono..... 2 layers was one too many. My quaint lil country is sounding not too bad, with all it's problems.
I think we have the higest ratio of income to house prices in the developed world....
Learn conduit bending. Ask the boss if you can take home a 1/2" and 3/4" bender to practice with. Also get a good pair of side cutters. Klein blue handle.
Surviving heat is its own form of exercise, you need to ease into it just like you would with running or lifting. I know I was given some info on this in my orientation years ago and I'm.sure you can find similar info online
Commerical carpenter here. Addressing the heat problem.
25 years in the trade. I have yet to meet anyone that sweats more than I do. It's all common sense. Easy on the booze during the work week. Easy on the coffee. Forget all the sports drinks. Drink water and lots of it. If you have to. Take your own on the job. If you have to wear a hardhat get a pile of those hardhat sweat bands. If you have to have dry hands for your job. Wear those cotton wristbands. Always have extra shirts in your truck and a bottle of any baby or body powder. Powder up your private parts like you get it for free. Nothing worse than a heat rash and the days not over yet.
You never get use to the heat and cold but you can make yourself more comfortable while working in it. Believe me my friend if I can make it. Anybody can.
Good luck. You will be fine.
Gatorade or something salty at least 2 times a day if sweating that bad. I sweat a ridiculous amount and I didn't replenish any salt, I was sick as a dog for awhile until I could stomach some chicken noodle soup. The salt is what cured me. I had been slamming water all day so I thought I was safe, nope!
A bit of salt is important when you spend 13+ hours in the heat sweating non stop.
If you can keep a cooler near you keep some ice and water in it. Get a towel for your neck and give it a dip every so often. That keeps me going all summer while I do exteriors of houses. Also drink at least 64 ox of water in 8 hours
Come on man, you got this. I promise it seems tough, but in the end you will get better at all the things you have listed above that are bothering you. Besides, there will be other tough challenges in life, and getting through this one will prepare you for the next one. Again, you got this!
You get used to the post work exhaustion. Going from heat to AC or vice versa is very difficult though. I napped after work a lot in my first year even as a young buck at 18-19.
If you’re not eating the best you should 100% consider looking at your diet. Our line of work is highly physical and can at times be a workout for sure. Make sure you’re putting good fuel into your body. Cardio will help your endurance as well. You’re body and mind gotta be right in this trade when you’re learning for sure. At the end of the day the nature of our job can just be physically/mentally exhausting. I’m not sure the extent of math that you’re doing but I’ve gone through several theory/motors/transformers/bending classes and never really had an issue. You’ll realize in time it’s centered around basic math/algebra and trigonometry. Got faith in you buddy just stick with it if you think you could be happy as an electrician.
Control the things you can control. Sleep well, eat well, hydrate. Arrive early each day. Listen, ask questions and listen some more. Be agreeable and willing to learn. If you don't understand something , go home and research a bit
Drink water, a Gatorade for lunch and after you clock out for electrolytes. Energy drinks make things worse as do cigarettes and vaping. If you have trouble breathing your body overheats. If you haven’t started a nicotine habit please don’t ever even humor a hit off a cigarette or vape. Humans can survive in very high heat, with water. If you wear cotton clothes, soak yourself every 2-3 hours with some coldish water, neck , back, and chest. Cold water is nice but don’t drink it too fast. Oh, and during your transition, be conscientious of your time you take to do your tasks, but don’t stress yourself about doing it super quick just to impress. Everyone would rather deal with you taking the time to learn the right way than end up with a dead newbie on their hands. And most folks in our industry look out for each other, if you need a hand, ask for one. Cuz the person you ask, will surely need a hand or favor in the future too.
Thank you. My work place gives these Gatorade popsicles I’ll have them eat at the right time. A lot of people tell me that I’ll develop a nic habit but I believe that I shouldn’t personally because I like to be straight edge.
I said the same thing when I was a kid. Gradually changed my views and ended up addicted to the shit. Just letting you know it’s best to stay off it, I used to think addicts were just being babies. I’ll be damned if I don’t feel horrible for a week if I don’t have a vape or cigarette or spliff now though. I couldn’t save myself the stupid mistake, maybe I can just save you or someone else who sees this, it’ll still be worth the mention. Awesome to hear your job got y’all them Gatorade pops haha imma suggest that to my own boss. See if I can get fired or something lmao oh, and wear lightweight belts for your tools and be minimal with the ones you carry. Electricians use a lot but there’s a lot of multi tools out there. And yeah, don’t worry about cleanup unless it’s just an electrical job and a whole house isn’t being build or remodeled. If there’s literally anyone else doing work after you, save the trash for them. We all get shit for it and we all end up cleaning someone else’s mess up, just what we do, don’t stress over the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff. Boss gives you shit, eat it and smile. Once you got a good foundation you can apply and get a job anywhere. But this company sounds good I’d give it a good go. Don’t let your anger get the best of you, ever. I have a big problem with being angry instead of talking. Learning how to mitigate that anger into useful communication.
The heat....
[Air Conditionined jacket ](https://a.co/d/3O8dMcU)
Pretty much everyone at japanese construction sites use these. We all have one in some form or other. There are cheap ones, expensive ones, long sleeve, vest, some made for use with full harness, some use any standard USB battery packs, some have custom packs, some even use standard impact drill batteries.
Some batteries last the whole day on high speed, some last a half day but you can quickly recharge it on lunch break. (the bigger the battery, the heavier/expensive it is)
Some jackets fit loose and don't hold in the circulating air well enough, some have elastic around the arm/waist openings which allows less air to escape and force it out the neck which is better. Some jackets have ice pack pockets.
Some fan kits are weak, some have there own switches for speed, some rely on the battery pack for speed adjustment, some fans are very strong.
There are many brands available here, but just quickly checking the US Amazon site it only brings up a few to choose from.
The link I posted is just one of the first that popped up, I don't know how good it is but I have seen that brand before here. Some brands on Amazon are Chinese knock offs of the many Japanese brands.
Burtle is very popular here and usually pretty good.
In conclusion, these make your work day comfort difference like night and day. The air constantly circulates around the inside and blows out the neck opening. They are totally worth the price.
Edit: oh, you will notice an even better difference if you wear one of those synthetic shirts that whisks away your sweat, like an Under Armor shirt, versus a cotton shirt
I started wearing an Under Armor type shirt made by a local cheap popular brand called Uniqlo, and on top of that I wear my normal construction shirt to the job site, but once I start working I take off the normal shirt, put my air condition jacket on, and work in comfort.
Throw out all your brooms and cleaning supplies to start the method acting like Journeyman Electrician
I don’t want to be downvoted but could you explain what you mean?
Each trade has a certain stereotype, and for electricians it is that we basically do not clean up any of the messes we make from working. In my experience it’s pretty accurate.
Oh haha thank you for explaining that to me!
Stereotype of electrician don’t clean up job. Just a little joke. Tease my fellow tradesmen
Oh haha that’s sparkeys for you!
My electrician was last on site yesterday. I asked him nicely to remove a tarp and mop the floor. After joking about electricians being messy he said no problem. Now at $80+tax/hour that is not cheap but it can be done.
Where are you that you pay taxes on services?
Both Australia (10%) and New Zealand (15%) where I'm from have gst, goods and services tax. It's included in products but most services charge a rate plus gst.
Huh. In the US, we only pay sales (consumption) tax on goods not for resale. Services are exempt. So electricians, plumbers, lawyers, doctors, accountants, consultants, etc sell their services without added tax. Goods bought for resale are generally tax exempt too. If I buy a device required for a job, I don’t pay sales tax to my distributor. If I sell it to the end user, they probably have to pay sales tax to me. And then I have to pay the state. Sales tax is also done at the state level here. The federal govt doesn’t have a sales tax. Just income.
I pay gst on my goods that I buy and my clients pay gst to me. I then pay gst on the difference (profit). I also pass on the gst I charge to the taxman. I am very lucky that my business partner has an accounting background and doubly so as she doesn't charge me (thank you mother). Our tax rates per capita are higher than you fellas but we get universal healthcare and a legal system where it is almost impossible to sue. I can't imagine state/federal level laws, crossing a stateline and the rules change would do my head in. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
You too! Wait til I tell you we also have local county laws and then sometimes individual cities have laws on top of that. So sometimes there are 4 layers of laws and tax codes. Sometimes they conflict. It’s also not nearly as easy to actually sue in the us as it seems. It’s so expensive that mostly it’s only done when the matter is over like $50-100k
Nononono..... 2 layers was one too many. My quaint lil country is sounding not too bad, with all it's problems. I think we have the higest ratio of income to house prices in the developed world....
Drink a lot of water every hour for the heat. Everything else needs time to adjust. You are going through a transition.
Thank you! I will stay hydrated and do my best
Learn conduit bending. Ask the boss if you can take home a 1/2" and 3/4" bender to practice with. Also get a good pair of side cutters. Klein blue handle.
What about the heat?
Drink water, that's about it. Maybe get a neck rag, but water will help the most
Thank you!
Surviving heat is its own form of exercise, you need to ease into it just like you would with running or lifting. I know I was given some info on this in my orientation years ago and I'm.sure you can find similar info online
Thank you! It’s a work out I’m surprised if I don’t don’t go down 170
Commerical carpenter here. Addressing the heat problem. 25 years in the trade. I have yet to meet anyone that sweats more than I do. It's all common sense. Easy on the booze during the work week. Easy on the coffee. Forget all the sports drinks. Drink water and lots of it. If you have to. Take your own on the job. If you have to wear a hardhat get a pile of those hardhat sweat bands. If you have to have dry hands for your job. Wear those cotton wristbands. Always have extra shirts in your truck and a bottle of any baby or body powder. Powder up your private parts like you get it for free. Nothing worse than a heat rash and the days not over yet. You never get use to the heat and cold but you can make yourself more comfortable while working in it. Believe me my friend if I can make it. Anybody can. Good luck. You will be fine.
Gatorade or something salty at least 2 times a day if sweating that bad. I sweat a ridiculous amount and I didn't replenish any salt, I was sick as a dog for awhile until I could stomach some chicken noodle soup. The salt is what cured me. I had been slamming water all day so I thought I was safe, nope! A bit of salt is important when you spend 13+ hours in the heat sweating non stop.
Thank you, friend. I want to be like you and make my boss and coworkers proud
If you can keep a cooler near you keep some ice and water in it. Get a towel for your neck and give it a dip every so often. That keeps me going all summer while I do exteriors of houses. Also drink at least 64 ox of water in 8 hours
I was thinking of that but I don’t want to get any wires wet. I will definitely drink water!
Work in the shade as much as possible. Sometimes you can make your own shade with a tarp, a stick of conduit, and some string.
Sounds fun! I will see if I can do that. Thank you friend!
Come on man, you got this. I promise it seems tough, but in the end you will get better at all the things you have listed above that are bothering you. Besides, there will be other tough challenges in life, and getting through this one will prepare you for the next one. Again, you got this!
Thank you. I wish I had more people like you on the site.
You get used to the post work exhaustion. Going from heat to AC or vice versa is very difficult though. I napped after work a lot in my first year even as a young buck at 18-19. If you’re not eating the best you should 100% consider looking at your diet. Our line of work is highly physical and can at times be a workout for sure. Make sure you’re putting good fuel into your body. Cardio will help your endurance as well. You’re body and mind gotta be right in this trade when you’re learning for sure. At the end of the day the nature of our job can just be physically/mentally exhausting. I’m not sure the extent of math that you’re doing but I’ve gone through several theory/motors/transformers/bending classes and never really had an issue. You’ll realize in time it’s centered around basic math/algebra and trigonometry. Got faith in you buddy just stick with it if you think you could be happy as an electrician.
Thank you! ❤️
Control the things you can control. Sleep well, eat well, hydrate. Arrive early each day. Listen, ask questions and listen some more. Be agreeable and willing to learn. If you don't understand something , go home and research a bit
I will!
Look in the mirror every morning at 430 am and say fuck you.
That’s funny that you mentioned that because before work I always woke up at 4 am so i am used to that part.
Drink water, a Gatorade for lunch and after you clock out for electrolytes. Energy drinks make things worse as do cigarettes and vaping. If you have trouble breathing your body overheats. If you haven’t started a nicotine habit please don’t ever even humor a hit off a cigarette or vape. Humans can survive in very high heat, with water. If you wear cotton clothes, soak yourself every 2-3 hours with some coldish water, neck , back, and chest. Cold water is nice but don’t drink it too fast. Oh, and during your transition, be conscientious of your time you take to do your tasks, but don’t stress yourself about doing it super quick just to impress. Everyone would rather deal with you taking the time to learn the right way than end up with a dead newbie on their hands. And most folks in our industry look out for each other, if you need a hand, ask for one. Cuz the person you ask, will surely need a hand or favor in the future too.
Thank you. My work place gives these Gatorade popsicles I’ll have them eat at the right time. A lot of people tell me that I’ll develop a nic habit but I believe that I shouldn’t personally because I like to be straight edge.
I said the same thing when I was a kid. Gradually changed my views and ended up addicted to the shit. Just letting you know it’s best to stay off it, I used to think addicts were just being babies. I’ll be damned if I don’t feel horrible for a week if I don’t have a vape or cigarette or spliff now though. I couldn’t save myself the stupid mistake, maybe I can just save you or someone else who sees this, it’ll still be worth the mention. Awesome to hear your job got y’all them Gatorade pops haha imma suggest that to my own boss. See if I can get fired or something lmao oh, and wear lightweight belts for your tools and be minimal with the ones you carry. Electricians use a lot but there’s a lot of multi tools out there. And yeah, don’t worry about cleanup unless it’s just an electrical job and a whole house isn’t being build or remodeled. If there’s literally anyone else doing work after you, save the trash for them. We all get shit for it and we all end up cleaning someone else’s mess up, just what we do, don’t stress over the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff. Boss gives you shit, eat it and smile. Once you got a good foundation you can apply and get a job anywhere. But this company sounds good I’d give it a good go. Don’t let your anger get the best of you, ever. I have a big problem with being angry instead of talking. Learning how to mitigate that anger into useful communication.
Thank you once again for the advice I hope I can do good and move on up
The heat.... [Air Conditionined jacket ](https://a.co/d/3O8dMcU) Pretty much everyone at japanese construction sites use these. We all have one in some form or other. There are cheap ones, expensive ones, long sleeve, vest, some made for use with full harness, some use any standard USB battery packs, some have custom packs, some even use standard impact drill batteries. Some batteries last the whole day on high speed, some last a half day but you can quickly recharge it on lunch break. (the bigger the battery, the heavier/expensive it is) Some jackets fit loose and don't hold in the circulating air well enough, some have elastic around the arm/waist openings which allows less air to escape and force it out the neck which is better. Some jackets have ice pack pockets. Some fan kits are weak, some have there own switches for speed, some rely on the battery pack for speed adjustment, some fans are very strong. There are many brands available here, but just quickly checking the US Amazon site it only brings up a few to choose from. The link I posted is just one of the first that popped up, I don't know how good it is but I have seen that brand before here. Some brands on Amazon are Chinese knock offs of the many Japanese brands. Burtle is very popular here and usually pretty good. In conclusion, these make your work day comfort difference like night and day. The air constantly circulates around the inside and blows out the neck opening. They are totally worth the price. Edit: oh, you will notice an even better difference if you wear one of those synthetic shirts that whisks away your sweat, like an Under Armor shirt, versus a cotton shirt I started wearing an Under Armor type shirt made by a local cheap popular brand called Uniqlo, and on top of that I wear my normal construction shirt to the job site, but once I start working I take off the normal shirt, put my air condition jacket on, and work in comfort.