What Happened at the Auto Store?

[beejium]

Yesterday, I stopped in to the local parts store to get rear shoes and spring kit for my truck. I was waiting in line for a couple to finish there purchase. It looked like it was going to take a while, so I started looking around at the specialty tools and such. As I was walking I couldn't help but to over hear that they were arguing about wiper blades. As many auto owners know there are like 15
different types of blade for every model.

They weren't arguing about the type, but who was going to install them. The guy wanted the clerk to install the wiper blades, while the girl wanted her dad to install them. After hearing this I was chuckling to my self, about how lazy Americans have become. I know for a fact that the instructions are easy to follow and written in big print on/in the package. On top of this the wipers were the basic clip style. This is something that the couple could have done together with out any help from the clerk or anyone else. Most wipers are harder to get out of the package then they are to install. This really made me think and question...

I discussed this with a friend and he said that i didn't grasp it because I am just mechanically inclined. What does that really mean?

It does not take any special talents or skills to be mechanically inclined. All I do is: read, read, and read. Then I apply what I have read to the task at hand. It's not magic, hell I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed with just a G.E.D. When i run into trouble on the job, it is usually that i just don't have enough strength at times. Some jobs you need more hands than what you have. At 5'5" 125lbs My size can be a big disability in some jobs, but it's also a great ability in others.

Often times I do work for others, mostly for the elderly and people with disabilities. I did grow up with a mom with MS and have lost both of my grandfathers due to Alzheimer. I absolutely respect people with disabilities and the elderly, but I cannot respect people who are capable, but want me to save them a buck or two.

So what Isn't clicking here?
Are People that lazy that they can't do minor work for them selves?
Is this how the school systems have taught kids to be?
Is this what the dollar has done?
Are people afraid to get dirty?
Am i over thinking this?

 

[Cookie monster]

Nah your not over thnking it, some people are either just plain lazy or semi-retarded when it comes to things like that.

I did a plumbing job for a guy a few years ago, was plumbing up the bath waste when he brings me a coffee and sheepishly asks me could I wire a plug for him!!!

 

[El Diablo]

I deal with these things all the time. i think it all comes down to laziness or the "i am to good" to get my hands dirty (it's always easier to have some else do it attitude) .

I think most of this comes from their up bringing. Everything is done for them so they don't get the hands on experience most of us do. or they aren't exposed to anything to were they have to use their hands or brains for simple everyday skills.

 

[beejium]

Would you say that the term "mechanically Inclined" is an excuse a lazy or semi-retard uses to get out of doing a little work that would be beneficial on there part?

 

[Lazyman]

Hey who ya'll callin lazy?

Juuust kidding. Everyone that used the word lazy in their post owes me a nickel for royalties now.

 

[beejium]

That's a lot of nickels. You gonna pay yourself up too? Kinda like writing yourself up on the job.

 

[Cookie monster]

Hey who ya'll callin lazy?

Juuust kidding. Everyone that used the word lazy in their post owes me a nickel for royalties now.

I'll send you a nickel but i'm gonna have to charge ya for postage, think it costs a euro or 2 to post to the U.S.

 

[gdtrfb]

i think some folks just don't want to be responsible for what is done - they put the wipers on, manage to break something...they're responsible. some schmuck at autozone screws it up, well...autozone better fix that shit.

 

[intotheunknown]

having a friend who has worked in a few part stores, i have heard some horror stories he has told me.
there are A LOT of people who are just like that who go to part stores, straight up idiots.
supposedly its frustrating to deal with people like that on a daily basis. who would have thought...
be thankful that isnt your job...

 

[buckeye-leaf]

not that most are lazy most just dont have much between their ears. i used to own a home improvement business an got some of the dumbest shit.....hey man my lights in my kitchen dont work anymore i think i need all new receptacles when all was needed was a switch flipped on the breaker. im not very smart at mechanics but i can sure as hell change wiper blades lol

 

[beejium]

i think some folks just don't want to be responsible for what is done - they put the wipers on, manage to break something...they're responsible. some schmuck at autozone screws it up, well...autozone better fix that shit.

Not always that way... A former coworker at Advanced Auto broke a windshield of a costumers car. He was changing the wipers and left the wiper arm up. BIG NO NO, it even says on the package not to leave the arm up with no blade. He looked up to see spring pull the arm right through the windshield. Advanced Auto refused to pay anything out for the damage and won in court. Shortly after that i left for an auto repair job, then to the factory i'm at now.

 

[Danks2005]

I think people are just retarded.

I don't know shit about cars, that said I been driving over a decade, and I have never paid a mechanic to fix my car/cars. I work hard for my money and i am not going to pay a mechanic unless I have to. All you have to do is take out whatever you are replacing, and put it back the same way. I've changed water pumps, alternators, starters, t-stats, fan clutchs, brakes, and yes wipers. I think alot of people just assume it is harder than it is, and are scared to fuck it up. I just figure if the alternators broken, and i try to fix it and fail whats the worst that can happen, take it to a mechanic, so what that's what you were gonna do anyway, may as well try to save a few bucks.

 

[beejium]

not that most are lazy most just dont have much between their ears. i used to own my own home improvement business an got some of the dumbest shit.....hey man my lights in my kitchen dont work anymore i think i need all new receptacles when all was needed was a switch flipped on the breaker. im not very smart at mechanics but i can sure as hell change wiper blades lol

That is my step-dad. He told me not to use the light on the celling fan, it's broke. As i took the globe/light diffuser off i noticed that the bulb wasn't in tight. kinda strange as he has been doing all his own tune ups and oil changes on his car.

 

[Danks2005]

buckeye, my favorite is when people call an electrician cause the gfci tripped, but I will be glad to take your $50 to push a button.

 

[grow1620]

people are lazy. I've always believed being "mechanically inclined" as I'm sometimes called, is just working harder and putting more effort into things.

I know plenty of girls who can't change a flat tire.

Then there's that thing that girls do...I don't know what to call it but they pretend they're a helpless girl and don't know how to do it or aren't strong enough, but they're just plain being lazy because they know a guy will do it if they just play dumb.

Most things in life, no matter how intimidating, are incredibly simple once you learn how.

I used to think computers were super complicated..then I put one together (with a friend instructing me over the phone).

I used to think cars were super complex also...till I changed my starter and brake pads from a book.

There was also a point in time when I thought I needed to invest $10,000 and a whole warehouse just to grow some weed, now I can grow in a cubic foot of space....all because I read, read, read...maybe these people that complain about not being "mechanically inclined" just can't read very well (no offense anyone), or maybe they fail once and think they are forever incapable of figuring something out, rather that realizing that failure is a huge part of learning.

 

[beejium]

Or better yet the people who have kids, that like hiding there mega bouncy ball in the glove box. I love that one.
I hear a thump when: i hit the brakes, gas, or turn. When I tell them to look in there glove box and they look at me puzzled. same answer every time... "wow that ball did all that?"

An other good one is in the newer jeeps they have the cup holders too close. Lipton tea bottles will rattle together and sound like the jeep is going to explode. take one out and it all better.

 

[LolaGal]

Oh I have changed fuel filters, fuel pumps, etc. but I hate those damn wiper things.

I always wind up breaking the cheap plastic parts on them, trying to install them. I hate wiper blades.

I woul rather change a fuel pump.

 

[beejium]

people are lazy. I've always believed being "mechanically inclined" as I'm sometimes called, is just working harder and putting more effort into things.

I know plenty of girls who can't change a flat tire.

Then there's that thing that girls do...I don't know what to call it but they pretend they're a helpless girl and don't know how to do it or aren't strong enough, but they're just plain being lazy because they know a guy will do it if they just play dumb.

Most things in life, no matter how intimidating, are incredibly simple once you learn how.

I used to think computers were super complicated..then I put one together (with a friend instructing me over the phone).

I used to think cars were super complex also...till I changed my starter and brake pads from a book.

There was also a point in time when I thought I needed to invest $10,000 and a whole warehouse just to grow some weed, now I can grow in a cubic foot of space....all because I read, read, read...maybe these people that complain about not being "mechanically inclined" just can't read very well (no offense anyone), or maybe they fail once and think they are forever incapable of figuring something out, rather that realizing that failure is a huge part of learning.

Books, experienced people, and the Internet, are my primary source of knowledge. Doing the job is just experience.
It just seems strange when people use the net just to play games and chat like my sis. i am always telling her to go on line when she has a question, because it's purpose is to share knowledge, not to get a high score in Be Jeweled. calling me 15 times a day is too much.

 

[grow1620]

It just seems strange when people use the net just to play games and chat

Yes! this drives me crazy...

I know many growers with computers that play games alllll day or f%^& around on facebook...then bug me about their plants' problems..what def. is this? ever heard of this strain? ...lazy fu%^ers!! Go read on ICmag!! It's amazing that people don't take advantage of the internet more..everything you could want to know is there.....oh yeh people are lazy, I get it now....no wonder facebook is so popular.

 

[beejium]

Oh I have changed fuel filters, fuel pumps, etc. but I hate those damn wiper things.

I always wind up breaking the cheap plastic parts on them, trying to install them. I hate wiper blades.

I woul rather change a fuel pump.

I have similar feelings... Much rather do head gaskets and bigger jobs then the little stuff like: filters, lights, and wipers. When I was at the shop I would do the big stuff and leave the rest to Timmy the Tire Boy, which was really odd because he was bigger and older than me. He needed the experience for his ASE training anyway.