reading your post brings a few things to mind....first being that as a business owner i am sure you already know that there are alot of dishonest grown ups. its not just a kid thing ....second thing is that none of us started life knowing how to do everything ,we have all had to fuck up something in order to learn the right way(lessons learned the hard way are the ones we learn best)....speaking from my experience things mechanical have always facinated me , anytime a neighbor had the hood up i was there to see if there was a wrench i could hold or a part i could clean. since the mom asked you to take the kid in its hard to tell wether he has the diesese the same as the rest of us.but on the other hand the same kind of favor worked out pretty good for paul senior and cory of american chopper fame .who knows this kid could turn out to be the best employee you ever had . you could also end up being the guy that makes a difference is the kids life. mabe instead of offering a job you ask the mom to spring for an old heap for the kid to make his fuck ups on ,in exchange for your time mentoring he helps do clean up etc.
Well I took on toad 32 in my shop in about 86' or so and now look at him , nsra product of the yr , house of colors etc., never know till you seee how bad they want to be involved.
When I had rental houses, I'd never rent to someone who's mom called me, came along for the tour and did all the talking. That was a sure sign the the kid was a punk and mama was trying to unload her headache on me.
Kind of along these lines, I am 17 and am interested in working around hot rods. By working, I mean I am willing to do anything from sweeping to degreasing parts for free, just so I can learn more and be around cars. Unfortunatly, I don't know anyone around Central Ohio looking for an apprentice type deal. I know there are a lot of kids my age who would love to have an opportunity like this, but at the same time there are tons of dumb asses that ruin opportunities for everyone by stealing, being lazy, etc. I agree that meeting with the kid would be a good first step, check if he really has the desire to do it.
I'm thinking that meeting him someplace other than my barn would probably be a good idea, just to see what he's like. Cars are my hobby, not my trade. I would have loved to do something like this too, but I learned what little I do know from books and trial and error. If the kid hasn't done any more research other than watching (no offense) American Chopper type shows, he ain't geting near anything of mine. OK there is a better work other than slave, he'll be my drudge. If the subject of this post was "I was offered a drudge" the first 12 posts would be "What year Drudge is it?" and "What body style Drudge?"
Honestly, when I read your first post, this is exactly what I thought of. Show him that you can weld with things other than a TIG...
That's a good one! First time you meet him talk about guns and hunting.Put the fear of God in him.Thieves should be killed.
This is right on. I am a manger at Target and I have a lot of kids that come through the doors. I also have a lot of adults. I know there has been a lot of complaining about kids on here lately but damn get the right one and train them right and they will turn out pretty good. One that worked for me last year did all this grunt work, always came in when called (better yet he answered the phone, alot of people won't do that much !), even cleaned the recieving dock plates with a bucket and scrub brush and smiled the whole time as I picked on him. He never complained and always completed any assigned task. Because of his accountability and lack of complaints he got a promotion. They want him to promote further but he wants to go to college for Computer Graphics. My point is not all kids are going to cause you trouble. Be clear what your expectations are and set boudary's / rules. Have you met the kid yet? I know when I have to interview people I usually can get a good feel for what kind of person they are going to be as a worker. Two of my best right now are 19 and they kick ass. One had zero work experience which I liked because he seemed like he wanted to work and there wouldn't be any habits to un-learn. The other honestly seemed like a punk in a nice outfit but turned that I thought would be a hard worker. He has to be the hardest working and most responsible guy in the store.
never do it if a parent asks. They're trying to palm the kid off on you. If and when it goes south(and it will) you'll have more people pissed at you, and you'll have to change your locks again. Heaven help you if little Billy gets hurts on the job. The slave labor just became YOU.
Yeah man, unless you're trying to bang this chick at work or something I wouldn't mess with it. If it was his dad asking, and the kid's dad was a good friend of yours, and the dad would whoop his ass if he & his friends stole something, then maybe. However, in most single-mom situations where the kid is older than 13, the mom has little-to-no control over the kid, and they will immediately go into denial if you suggest that their little juvenile-delinquent was anything but a perfect angel. So, if the kid rips you off you will either ( a.) be shit out of luck or ( b.) have to press charges against the kid and have an enemy that you have to see at work every day. I don't care if you've got the kid setting your house on fire on videotape, mom will deny that he did anything wrong and blame you. That is just what mom's do. If you'd called my mom & said that I had stolen something from you when I was a kid, she would have told you that I would NEVER steal anything, and then tell you to leave us alone & hang up on you. Call my dad with the same story and he would have steadily beat my ass until either ( a.) I fessed up and returned the item or ( b.) I had no ass left. I think you see my point here. Unless there is a clear path of accountability if you get screwed, steer clear.
I think I'm going to pass on this one... There may be way too many issues with this one. the co-worker is seeing his stepdad I think he be better off sweeping up in a therapist's office.
i got a job washing trailers and changing tires when i was 15, just so i could talk shop at lunch with a guy who drag raced. got minimum wage and athletes foot, but i learned to shut up, listen and work. now i sit in a cube.
Sounds like you were more interested in having a slave and not looking to help a young man that was delt some shitty cards.
Yeah...That 4t64rd character is an asshole! He allready said that it is his HOBBY, not his job....There's nothing that kid could do to help out around 4t64rd's garage. It would have been 100% 4t64rd helping this kid out! Jesus! Judge much?
Yeah? Sounds like you've never been in the position of having done something nice for someone, only to have them rip you off. Some of us have been there and are a little cautious about who we let into our houses and garages. And if you actually knew Mike, you'd realize just how much you're talking out of your ass.
I've been an employer for over 30 years and believe me I've seen and heard most it. I have given jobs to probably 15 young guys and girls( out of several hundred) who were in same situation.A lot were indigenous Australians,and you haven't seen " fucked up" until you met someone who was probably molested before they were 8 years old,has been sniffing glue from the same age,barely understands what day and night is,has seen their pregnant sister run over by a jealous boyfriend ,had a cousin shot dead in the back of the head by an enraged grandfather... and more besides. I always found that kindness has it's own rewards.Sure I had one girl beat the living daylights out of a co-worker so she could get her 'hours' and two young guys who were both on Ritalin found they could get big money for their medication and both trashed motel rooms while on a tech colledge training course.I've had to put up with petty theft,drug taking,staff fucking each other in work time, but in the end I realised I was probably as close to an authority figure that these people ever knew and I learnt early on I was directly responsible for them while they were in my employ. It always seemed like a major hassle then,but today I even have kids named after me( all care ,no responsibilty.. ). A good employee is good from the moment they walk in the door regardless of the family circumstance. If they don't pan out in the first day,be honest and careful and just say that you don't think they can be of use to you. What it sounds like here is, mum is sort of trying to be a good mum by getting her kid off the couch.It won't work unless you take it really slow.If I had a project on,which may involve pulling an engine. I'd get him to Get him to come and pass wrenches etc. A keen kid will ask lots of sensible questions,want to know what everything is and basically just 'muck in' to be of help. Some have it,most don't.
My .02 worth...hired a 16 YO for the bike shop last spring,son of a friend of an old friend...Gave him the speech about how smart he'd be if he LET me teach him stuff,and,to make sure nothing was misunderstood,reminded him that he would be worthless to me until said time...I knew within 5 minutes that this kid wasn't interested in anything I needed him to do...couldn't dress himself,too much of a candyass to get his hands dirty,lost in a fog all day long,couldn't figure out the broom,either..I thought about myself at 16,and tried to stick it out..a month later,after repeated days when he just couldn't bother to show up,I told him we were gonna start producing some results... The little shit quit with a message on my answering machine the next day..NEVER AGAIN...the next one is gonna beg me for a job before I'll even consider it
that brings back memories. "go clean the waste oil container off.." i apprenticed at a shop for this old short sicilian. he would cuss as if there was no tomorrow in italian. he also liked to ask for wrenches in the opposite of what he needed (inches vs. metric) "bring me a 1/2" box..."to work on an audi. but the most fun was he would tell me to go look at what needed to be done on a car then lay out the required tools. there is a reason I hate old british cars: BSF.
Probably the best. But I'd go see the kid and tell him myself. If he's really got a fire in him he'll be very disapointed and it might be a sign that he might amount to something. You can leave things on a positive note and let him know that if you have a need for him later then he might get a shot. If he really wants to do it he will let you know.
Update: I met the kid and turns out, he's a great kid... his musical tastes are a little in question, but other than that... I gave him something menial to do (de-grease and engine before painting), and he went after it with a vengance, gave him a jug of degreaser and some nylon brushes, All I had to do when he was done was wipe it down with some wax and grease remove and paint, no fisheyes! He wants to build motorcycles, so I thought I'd teach him how to butt weld sheetmetal, He did great... well, at least by my low standards... In order for it to fit, it needed 3.25" taken out of the middle, and the top lip from the old dash welded up top, the side pieces need "caps", and in order for the cut up Corvair dash bottom to be strong, we put the bottom of the old dash on it. He's done all of this with only minimal guidance from me. He pays attention on those TLC bike building shows... Now the bad part... he's also got juvenile diabetes and a he's gotten himself a job handing out beach umbrellas at the county park beach on the weekends and. He forgot to take his insulin with him to work and tester thing, and then forgot about it all weekend. His step mother came to my office and told me he is in intensive care until at least tomorrow. He should be OK in a few days, She just arranged for him to get an insulin pump thing that looks like a cell phone, he's pretty proud of it, but he has to be taught how to use it before they'll let him use it... a little late, but it should be better once they teach him on Wednesday. I'm going to give him a call tonight and check up on him and give him an update. I'm going to throw a coat of weld-thru primer on the dash and install it before we load up the car for Billetproof. He can finish it up afterwards. It's HIS dash. She told me they are going to bring him up to Ocala (he should be fine by Saturday) for Billetproof, if you see a goofy looking 17 y.o. who looks kinda tired, and is near my 46 Tudor, give him an attaboy and ask him if he's tested himself. He done good.
my advice to you....RUN! if your gut is telling you something..and you dont listen..shame on you. a mom looking for a job for her son to get his lazy ass off her couch? Trouble! already you are being told he has no motivation..and your being told that by the one person who knows him best..his mom. remember if you enter into this you are half at fault for the out come if its bad..and completely at fault for not listening to your self. good luck! its just advice..I dont know you..and I dont know him. ive just seen things like this not turn out well..so im not being sarcastic when i say good luck..
That is a great update...less the intensive care deal. Sometimes you just never know. It is good you went and talked to the kid and got a feel for him. You probably just set his life onto a much straighter and better path. Good luck.
Hey 4T64RD, I wish you and your young charge the best. You're sticking your neck out a mile. Hope he understands that and makes the best of his opportunity. Mentoring is a great reward to both parties.You both deserve an "attaboy!" When the student is ready,the master shall apear.... Good luck to you both.
Good for you for giving the kid a break, and good for the kid for seeing the opportunity. Both of you deserve a slap on the back. Hope he does better once the insulin pump is running. Sounds like he had the cards stacked against him. You may have only dealt him this small opportunity, but I bet it means the world to him. Hopefully this will work out as a win-win for everybody.
speaking from the perspective of a 21 yr. old... i would give him a "week" to prove why he should work there... if he dont fit your ideals... get rid of him.. i would have loved a opprotunity like that when i was 17
I've read through most of this and have to state my side of it. I am 22 right now, married, in college, got a house and a bunch of projects that I slowly peck away at. I started working when I was 13 (not as young as some, but young enough for me). My first job was thanks to my mom asking the landlord of our apartments if he needed an assistant. He was also the son of her boss (Her boss was 95, he was in his 70's). Anyways, to get to my point she got me in there. He didn't know me at all, and probably thought that I was going to be some little punk. Of course I had my slacker moments, but he was good at cursing me when I was goofing off or FUBARed something. However, he was also good at telling me when I did right. I worked with this man for 5 years and he and I got to be good friends. He was willing to take a chance with me and it turned out for the best. He taught me sooo much that I would have never known about. Still to this day I call him every fathers day and tell him thanks for all he did. So the point is, you never know until you try. You make create the next best bike builder ever. Who knows. I would make sure and set some rules, and let his mom know that you will be likely to jerk the slack out of him in the even that he behaves as an ass. If she is ok with that, then your set. In all honesty, you may be able to help lay a firm foundation for this kid to grow on, so don't take it lightly. Thank for listening to my ramble.
Hey 4t64rd.......a big thumbs up for your giving him a chance. Back in '62 I worked for an old German guy who had an automotive repair shop.......learned so much good basic knowledge those six months and most of it is still with me today. Todays cars need computer techs to figure out what's wrong, but the real iron still needs mechanics who aren't afraid to get dirty and appreciate what makes them run. Those skills aren't taught in school these days and it takes those who have the skill to pass it down.
He's been working with me for over 2 months... I think he has proven himself motivated and willing to be there. He just got the beach job recently, he needs the money for things that 17 y.o. boys need money for... like 17 y.o. girls...
Just tell him and the Mom you talked to your "insurance guy" and you can't afford to add him to your policy. FYI, you could get sued if he injures himself while working for you!!! Also, one of his friends could hurt himsepf while visiting him and sue you! If the kid want to ,learn tell him to bring his bike over if it needs to be fixed and you can show him how to do it.
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