Gotta love the old guys

Why is it that the world most admires people who matter the least in any sort of practical sense? I’m reminded of this whenever I see the best farmers, well-drillers, mechanics, carpenters, loggers and, of course, contractors in action. And yet it’s the blow-dried pretty people who get all the attention.

Why is it so hard for people to see that our entire civilization is built on the experience, stamina, patience and insights of people who’s working clothes are rough and dirty, and whose skin is creased and scarred? And anyone working in our industry knows that it’s often the oldest, gnarliest and highest mileage tradespeople who are the custodians of all the practical knowledge that makes civilized life possible. Some of these folks also show the most courage I’ve ever seen, like a tradesman I know named Harold.

Harold is somewhere in his 80s, and more than 10 years ago he tried retirement for a while. He gave up. “I’m just going to keep working until I can’t work any more,” he philosophized the last time we met in a small country store.  And if there’s one thing I admire about Harold, it’s his excuse-free definition of “can’t.”

Harold’s pronounced, decades-old limp and recent cataract surgery still don’t qualify as reasons for him to sleep late or fritter his days away doing nothing in particular. Harold is still working and contributing. How’s that for spunk?

I’ve always figured that old guys in the trades are too saggy, wrinkled and weather-beaten to make it to the media spotlight in a world that worships youth at the expense of substance. But maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps the world really would watch a TV show about the day-to-day lives of “over-the-hill” contractors. The thing is, any of the old guys I know would much rather just get to work.  You’ve gotta love the old guys.

Steve Maxwell is a contributing editor at Canadian Contractor. Read more from Steve in the “Stuff We Like” section of each issue of the magazine.