Do you hover over someone working on your stuff

[8mpg]

If you don't know how to do something yourself - how do you know if someone else is doing it "right" or "wrong"?

When I worked with my buddy pouring concrete, we hated when the home owners would hover. It wasn't because we didn't do quality work - we were one of the best in the area - it was just an annoying distraction.

Answering the same questions over and over and over again gets old quick, and having somebody in your ear while you're busting your ass is worse.

because it gets fixed. I have learn lots of plumbing knowledge from watching plumbers. Now a days I fix all my own faucets, install new shut off valves, learned to sweat pipes, plumb a shower, etc... Im sure I could have learned off some videos on youtube, but you can learn a lot from the professionals that come to your house.

[Grimpala]

It would go a lot smoother if they just went in the other room and waited for me to finish.

That's what she said.

[clevelandkid]

because it gets fixed. I have learn lots of plumbing knowledge from watching plumbers. Now a days I fix all my own faucets, install new shut off valves, learned to sweat pipes, plumb a shower, etc... Im sure I could have learned off some videos on youtube, but you can learn a lot from the professionals that come to your house.

I can understand watching and wanting to learn the smaller tasks - but something like a driveway or a roof replacement - what's the point? Its not like you're going to do it yourself the next time 30 years later...

[Wicked98Snake]

That's what she said.

lol

[fitzwell]

I can normally do my job and hold a conversation with the customer - no problem. However when some weird problem arises and I need to concentrate on what I am doing the hovering gets pretty annoying.

.

we have a winner. I don't mind people watching what i do, or asking why i do things a certain way. Just don't tell me how your brother-in-laws neighbors cousins uncle does it, because i really don't care.

[ZYouL8R]

I always hover, and it's probably annoying, but I don't give a damn.

Last time I didn't hover, I was getting an alignment done to specs that I provided. The camber I wanted was something like -0.5, but the tech said he couldn't get anything less than -1.5! So I looked under the car and noticed it was maxed out negative, not positive. So I pointed out that for more positive, the lower a-arm had to be moved IN. He didn't speak much English, so I had to take the impact out of his hand and move the a-arm myself to demonstrate what I meant. He then understood and did the other side correctly. Sad part was this was at a CHEVY DEALERSHIP and all I could think about was how many other people's front ends he fucked up. "Yeah it rides great but I chew through my new tires in less than 5000 miles"

[Cooter]

I hate hoverers, but I deal with them...

I hate being one... I will hover and observe/ask questions, but if I detect any sort of frustration/trouble-spot, I will walk away and return a voice mail i just got. I'll still observe from a distance, but I won't be in "over shoulder" mode

[Unicorn Jeff]

I hate being one... I will hover and observe/ask questions, but if I detect any sort of frustration/trouble-spot, I will walk away and return a voice mail i just got. I'll still observe from a distance, but I won't be in "over shoulder" mode

x2 on this...

As for other hovering over me, I don't mind. Like some have said I can keep a good conversation going while doing the work at hand. And if something comes up that I need a minute to think I just say, "hey give me a second." Or just walk outside for a minute.

[Binky]

In my job, i hate it when a client hovers and asks questions - makes the whole process go twice or three times longer. Figuring out an IT problem is more than just chicking the buttons - you have to think. And having someone who has no technical knowledge try to "learn" something is pointless and just gets in my way.

So if i have someone working on my stuff, i stay out of the way, but am available if they need anything.

Do unto others...

[Cooter]

anyone who's been in a field service position can appreciate the need to be left alone for a minute in order to hit a curve ball

[irbs]

I hate it when my customers hover over my techs but then complain it's not getting done fast enough. Some customers are cool and like to just check up on things and then will let you do your thing.

[JC316]

I definitely hover. Mostly because I do almost everything myself, so if I have to call an expert, I am usually trying to learn more.

[scootro]

i don't mind and half of my customers have never seen brick laying done before when i'm making the repairs on their, there, they're house

[JimD]

Oh i hate that shit, fkn idiots get in the way.

[Sgt Beavis]

It depends on what the item is. Yesterday the cable guy was here working on my internet connection. He needed to use my computer. You can bet your ass I eye balled him the entire time. BTW, he did a damn good job.

Other times I leave them to do their job. We had the AC guy out here a couple of weeks ago to look into noises coming from the inside blower. I left him to do his work, except when taking some ice water out to him (poor bastard was sweating his balls off) He fixed the blower and topped off my coolant. He too did a good job.

I also left the plumber alone to install my new water heater last winter. However we talked briefly before the installation. I politely discussed building code with him in a manner that let him know I was very knowledgeable. I then left him alone. I did my own inspection of his work and saw he had done a fantastic job. I'm now referring him to anyone that needs plumbing work. His price was also reasonable..