What your customers see.....your workers

[XOFMOT]

here's a question: Do your customers give you FUNNY LOOKS when you show up to take care of thier property and most of your crew are..how do I say...of spanish influence?

[crazygator]

I have seen some funny looks in the "well-to-do" areas, but I don't see them doing anything about it if it's a problem. My wife is spanish, and a dang hard worker. We have had them work for us too and wow, almost worked me to death just trying to keep up. I wouldn't let it bother me. If they have a problem with it you will know, either they will tell you or drop your LCO. Just do your job, do it well, and it will never be an issue!

[lawnboy82]

well seeing as how we are from the same area. i have 3 hispanic people who work for me now. one guy i have to fire, because he is kind of dumb. but he works hard. my other 2 people work great. my customers love them. i have had american people work for me before, and i find that there are too many problems with that, either they are into drugs, or they are just plain old lazy. i have one person who the customers dont mind, however he is into drugs. the other guy, my customers ask me to never bring him back. most people who i know start with american guys, get tired of the BS and switch to hispanic guys. try the american guys, then try the hispanic guys. there is a difference in productivity and BS levels.

[Evan528]

The first day my mexican worked form me i got alot of smirks and comments from customers... "what is he working 2 dollars an hour?". I explained that he is the hardest worker ive ever had, always on time, works like there no tomorrow and catches on to new things in about 5 minutes! Alot of my customers think its great that i am employing a man that needs the money so bad for his 8 ;) kids back in mexico! all around he is working out great!

[lawnboy82]

i pay my guys -
angel- $ 15 per hour, i can take off for as long as i like, just tell him where to go and he can run things for a while, without problems, gets more people if i need them, etc. also speaks english

rosa- $12 per hour. she does weeding for me, does whatever i ask her to, prunes small shrubs in no time flat. she may not work the fastest, but she does great work

jose- $10 per hour. does all the grunt work, is not very bright, but just wants to work. so he can get women. i have him dig holes, move mulch, pick up garbage, etc.

[Jason_S]

I match Angel, and I only make $9.00/HR! tIME for a RAISE!!!!!!

IF I were to leave, my boss would have some MAJOR PROBLEMS!!! He relies a lot on me!

Anyone think with this info that it is just for me to ask for a raise, and how much????

[65hoss]

I haven't used any foreign labor as of yet. Its a hard call for me. I sometimes get calls and they ask what kind of helpers I have. "The last guy had mexicans. I don't want them on my property." But, at the same time, its my company, I should say who works. I probably would get more work from mexicans than anyone else. I just hired another guy. My last helper left on 4 hrs notice. Anyway, if this one doesn't work out, I'll probably give a mexican a try. I guess I need to brush up on my spanish. 2 years of high school and 2 years of college spanish and I still can't count past 10. haha.

[bobbygedd]

my wife is also spanish(mucho bonita). i have used spanish and mexican help and all in all, pound for pound, had better results with them. i did have a few customers say they dont want them on thier property, and i say what nerve they have! these people, like most of our ancestors, left their homeland, and their families, in search of a better life. they came to a strange country with almost no money in their pocket, got treated like crap, got the worst jobs for the least amount of money, and send most of it home to feed their kids. i had one guy who hadnt seen his son or wife for 4 years, he used to get tears in his eyes when he saw me play with my 3 year old. it takes more guts than i have to do this for your family. i also do believe i have lost jobs because i had a black man helping me out . oh well. a good worker is a good worker, period.

[awm]

lets face it they are hungrier than the homegrownsand probably
know a lot more about what a hard life is. i do sympathsize
with the mill workers here in the south that have been booted to the curb.the good thing is that most that i know are getting
schooling in a less manual fields.
the only problem i see is ,do they feel loyal to this country
or what ever country they come from.sure they may be loyal to both,but if you are here enjoying this great country and becoming a part of the melting pot, your U.S. SHOULD BE YOUR COUNTRY.
THIS MAY NOT SEEM IMPORTANT NOW BUT MIGHT IN THE FUTURE.later now

[crazygator]

Isn't it sad that we can't even hire for our own companies without thinking of that few bunch of customers that don't want anything but americans or whites. We had an asian man work for us. Also very hard worker. He had a night job too and lived in a house with a bunch more. He said that he came to US to work hard only to save $50,000. With that money he could go back home, open a factory and live like a king. And he did just so. Point being, we all have some very hard workers and the color of your skin doesn't make you good bad or indifferent. I feel if my customers don't like my help then tough. It is my problem because I have to deal with them. We do our work and move on. But it does make you wonder, how did these narrow minded people make it so good? Hmmmm.......

[65hoss]

Crazygator, not all are making it so good. They have huge debt to make themselves look good.

[SLS]

This thread made me think of something.......

My family came over from Ireland in 1811.

Back then the Irish in this country were treated like they were trash....and stereotyped as lazy drunks.....were only given the crappiest of jobs.

Basically they earned their respect in the Civil War by proving their bravery and loyalty by shedding copious amounts of blood to preserve the Union. My grand-great grandfather had all 5 of his uncles serve (although one was a Confederate...he hated the concept of slavery but didn't care for Federal intervention in what was considered State affairs...typical farmer). I guess that he would be considered a Republican these days. ;)

Now the decendents of the Irish hold high political and civic positions. Some are considered heros (firemen and policemen) and great community leaders (politicians).

Look how things have changed.

America is indeed "The Great Melting Pot" but sometimes it just takes a little more stirring to get the flavor right! :D

[Leonard]

God invented liquor to keep the Irish from ruling the world.

'tis true...

[jmartmel]

Sls, Leonard!!! I agree with you 100% seeing that both my parents are Irish! and i also love that saying, leonard, it is true:) But back to the main question, xoftom. If you have a man working for you that gives all his heart for the crappy money that lawn company's pay and shows up on time and without complaining! Do you care what one or two properties say about that man. If it were me I would tell the owners of these properties the values of the empolyee and the reasons he is busting his ass, then kindly drop them. But of course you already have to worry about that since you have all the accounts you do! Ever try laying sod 7 days a week in the hot sun, i doubt it!

[Loosestrife]

http://www.observer-reporter.com/272562514657246.bsp

It's not landscapers, and it's not about workers of spanish influence, but it is still relivant.

[Avery]

That type of labor is kinda expected in my area. No one seems to mind what/who you bring to the job as long as the job gets done correctly.

[Leonard]

sheesh...things like that really piss me off. :angry:

All in all I don't have a problem with Mexicans, Blacks, Whites, Oranges or Blues...as long as they treat others with respect I'll do the same. Hell, I'm not perfect...<i>everyone</i> has their prejudices...but what that guy in that article did was go way, way too far.

I think they oughta drop the guy off blindfolded in Compton and make him ask for directions outta there. I'd give him 5 minutes tops.

[hubb]

Leonard,

Are you sayin' that the people in compton are in some way more dangerous than in other places? Sounds a little predjudice to me. No, seriously though, I think we all need to look at our own attitudes towards others. All of us show fear of those that are different from us. I myself have a real problem talking to anyone with eye problems. I know this sounds wierd, but bear with me. If I approach someone and they have a funny eye (you know one that looks the other way, or one that is all white or damaged in some way) it really freaks me out. I cant talk to them or look at them. I think this is simular to when people approach someone of a different race or someone who doesn't speak there native language. Imagine yourself in their country not being able to speak their language. I think you'll be able to see things from a different perspective. This is of course just my opinion. This in no way means that I dont have any other predjudice's. I can't stand stupid people either. It doesn't matter what color or creed you are, if your stupid, I doubt you and I will hang together.

[1MajorTom]

Loosestrife Quote:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/272562514657246.bsp
It's not landscapers, and it's not about workers of spanish influence, but it is still relivant


For more on that story:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/272631478790605.bsp

Those black painters were awarded money. Now they plan on sueing.

[eskals]

It is human nature to be prejudice. Think about it, we are most comfortable with those people which we have grown up with and have a lot of contact with. It is the differerences and the unknowns that freighten us. I am not saying that it is right to be prejudice, just that you have to be aware of it, thats all.

[HOMER]

The best help I've ever had was a 42 year old black man. We got along fine and he even got on to me some days for dragging. He needed insurance and I didn't have it to give, if I had he would have gotten it and then some. The more we look at the outside the farther we get from looking at the person inside.