That old apprentice who called me out on my mortar mix

Had a job last month repointing a retaining wall in Portland. This kid straight out of trade school watched me mix and said my ratio was off. I got defensive at first. Told him I've been doing this 15 years. He pulled out his phone and showed me the manufacturer spec for that specific brick type. I checked it after he left. He was dead on. Made me feel like an old dog who can't learn new tricks. Anyone else had a younger guy call you out and actually be right?

4 comments

4 Comments

daniel1401mo ago

Used to be the same way man, all pride and no sense. I figured after 15 years I'd earned the right to just go on autopilot. That apprentice taught me a hard lesson but a good one. Now I pull out my phone and double check shit before I even start mixing. Not just for mortar but for anything I haven't done in a while. Saves me from looking like a damn fool in front of a kid half my age.

mark4361mo agoMost Upvoted

Did I just have to google "mortar mix ratio" while hiding in the porta potty after a young framer called me out on my nailing pattern? Yeah that was a fun afternoon.

spencer_owens581mo ago

Man that's exactly the kind of thing that sticks with you after a bad day on site. Before I had kids and started working with some real old school guys I used to think looking stuff up on the job was a sign of weakness. Like you just had to know it all or fake it till you make it. But watching that young framer call you out probably made you realize how dumb that is. Now I'm all for googling anything I'm even slightly unsure about before I start swinging a hammer or mixing anything. Saves so much headache and honestly the younger guys have taught me more patience than I ever had. Nobody respects the guy who pretends to know everything anyway.

spencer_park261mo agoMost Upvoted

Ha! Nothing like a trip to the porta john to brush up on your craft.