We're doing some renovation at the moment. We have a lead contractor who's managing all the trades 'cos I know nothing about construction.

Every trade we've had - electricians, bricklayers, drainage guy, plumber, carpenter, etc - come as a duo. There's a guy in his late 30s or older who does the thinking, and a kid in the late teens / early 20s who are effectively labourers and lift, push, carry, drill, dig, etc. The life of the senior guy in the pair seems to be pretty good and you know they're well paid. The kids are learning, and in 10 years time will have their own labourer.

I grew up and have put my fair share of time in the trades. They do pay well but if you don't get out of the field, you trade your functioning body for money.

The one thing I can't wrap my head around is why everyone wants to work so much overtime. Even unions are rocking 50-60 hour work weeks and then claiming they treat you well. It's looked down upon if you only want to work 40.

I'm a software developer, but I spent three months chucking boxes in the back of a truck for General Motors one summer. Some days, my brain is fried after six hours at my job, but the physical labor work I could do for 12 hours and walk out feeling almost refreshed.

I sometimes wish I could go through a day of work just... doing. Not wracked with indecision or trying to figure out which tradeoff I won't regret in three weeks. The idea of going into a framed house and wiring up electric all day and then going home — without ever having done it or experiencing the downsides of course— it sounds really nice.

Of course my back and joints couldn't keep up at fifty like they did at twenty-two, and I met a bunch of functional addicts working that job and I wouldn't have wanted to get swept up in that.

most of the guys in that line of work are assholes

Can confirm

I think it's just some people have realised it pays well.

it destroys the body, and i only ever seen white people work in trades, so i suspect as to something to do with how they are only hiring those people too.