The Wild Rover
11-24-05, 07:47 AM
Ok Boys and Ladies,
I know it has been a long time since I have put anything in this column, but I have been busy at home, doing home things, and I really had my hands full. Anyhow, I would like to add something new, and that is the age old addage of what to bring to your overseas posting. I have seen guys bring 15 bags of clothes, computers, 3 pairs of cowboy boots, cowboy hats, dusters...you name it. There is a serious debate over the issue of bringing your own tools, and who should pay for it.
Many times I have gone out on projects, with the High Holy Affirmation of the contractor that all the tools will be provided, and are orderded, and on site, only to get there and there are 20 guys fighting over 3 screwdrivers, 2 ladders, and a paintbrush. I am serious. It seems more and more often that the Americans have to compete with the tools orderded, with the local contractor. Most of these tools make it out the gate long before the guards make an effort to control material and tool theft, and the Americans wind up going to the local market to purchase the third world variety of a tape measure. I have even heard said on this site that many will refuse to do the work until the contractors realise the importance of this issue. Many times, the other crafts grab the tools and refuse to let anyone else use them, hiding them in a gangbox until they are needed. I don't blame them one bit. You should have the tools to do your job, on hand, when you need them.
I subscribe to the following theory. I ask the contractor what tools per man he has purchased, and inform them I am bringing my own POCKET TOOLS, with a value of about $500.00, and I will expect them to pay the extra air freight. If this is a problem, I will pay the freight myself...and if I get to the project, and there are no tools, you will pay. "I can get the expense the easy way or the hard way, believe me" is another way of looking at it. You can disagree with this attitude, but sometimes it is every man for himself.
Issue #2 is the ridiculous mentality of guys bringing articles that can immediately identify them as Americans. We are having difficult times as a welcome society overseas, and for security reasons, walking down the street in most countries with a cowboy hat and an American flag shirt will attract unwanted attention to you and your work mates. Leave this shit at home. If you have the habit of visiting local establishments, as most of us do, they will know as soon as you walk in where you are from. Trust me, they always do.
Try to blend in. I know in the Middle East, you will not wear a galabaya, or a dish dash (the head gear), but dressing conservatively will not allow you to stand out in a crowd as a potential terrorist target. Keep your voice down while walking the streets,( Do not attract attention to the fact that you are an American) respect the local customs, and travel in pairs. I have known numerous guys that were great hands on the site, but became idiots on the local nightclub scene, making it hard for the rest of us to have a good time.
Try not to frequent the same place too often, as to make it unpredictable as to when you will be there.
When in the establishments, Look for the exits!! Keep your wits about you!!! I was on a big project in Kenya, and 50 Americans were in a club called "The Florida Room". You had to travel up to the third floor, on a one person wide staircase, to get to a huge club with only one exit. It was a terrorists wet dream, especially in Nairobi...remember the embassy there was blown up. The clean-up after that nightmare was something I am sure many of us would like to forget.
Keep the opinions of the local government to yourself. Most people know how bad they have it, and they do not need an American telling them how great Lodi Ohio is, and how messed up their dictator president or local customs are. There are a lot of people that understand English as a second language, and the huge Russian bouncers will not take it lightly to listen to you talk about how the barmaid would be a nice lay...it could be their sister. Jester and I have seen this happen. One punch, good night, good bye teeth, hello floor!!
Last but not least, patronize the Marine Bar, and give to these hard working men and women. Buy their polo shirts, heck, I have quite a collection. The military men and women make peanuts, and need your support, and friendship. You will be safe, meet many of the embassy staff, and make lasting friends. I continually see embassy personel and Marines from other sites all over the world. Long lasting friendships, and lots of gossip if you are into that sort of thing.
Be a proper representative to your country. Make it proud.
Happy Thanksgiving, give to "Toys for Tots"
I know it has been a long time since I have put anything in this column, but I have been busy at home, doing home things, and I really had my hands full. Anyhow, I would like to add something new, and that is the age old addage of what to bring to your overseas posting. I have seen guys bring 15 bags of clothes, computers, 3 pairs of cowboy boots, cowboy hats, dusters...you name it. There is a serious debate over the issue of bringing your own tools, and who should pay for it.
Many times I have gone out on projects, with the High Holy Affirmation of the contractor that all the tools will be provided, and are orderded, and on site, only to get there and there are 20 guys fighting over 3 screwdrivers, 2 ladders, and a paintbrush. I am serious. It seems more and more often that the Americans have to compete with the tools orderded, with the local contractor. Most of these tools make it out the gate long before the guards make an effort to control material and tool theft, and the Americans wind up going to the local market to purchase the third world variety of a tape measure. I have even heard said on this site that many will refuse to do the work until the contractors realise the importance of this issue. Many times, the other crafts grab the tools and refuse to let anyone else use them, hiding them in a gangbox until they are needed. I don't blame them one bit. You should have the tools to do your job, on hand, when you need them.
I subscribe to the following theory. I ask the contractor what tools per man he has purchased, and inform them I am bringing my own POCKET TOOLS, with a value of about $500.00, and I will expect them to pay the extra air freight. If this is a problem, I will pay the freight myself...and if I get to the project, and there are no tools, you will pay. "I can get the expense the easy way or the hard way, believe me" is another way of looking at it. You can disagree with this attitude, but sometimes it is every man for himself.
Issue #2 is the ridiculous mentality of guys bringing articles that can immediately identify them as Americans. We are having difficult times as a welcome society overseas, and for security reasons, walking down the street in most countries with a cowboy hat and an American flag shirt will attract unwanted attention to you and your work mates. Leave this shit at home. If you have the habit of visiting local establishments, as most of us do, they will know as soon as you walk in where you are from. Trust me, they always do.
Try to blend in. I know in the Middle East, you will not wear a galabaya, or a dish dash (the head gear), but dressing conservatively will not allow you to stand out in a crowd as a potential terrorist target. Keep your voice down while walking the streets,( Do not attract attention to the fact that you are an American) respect the local customs, and travel in pairs. I have known numerous guys that were great hands on the site, but became idiots on the local nightclub scene, making it hard for the rest of us to have a good time.
Try not to frequent the same place too often, as to make it unpredictable as to when you will be there.
When in the establishments, Look for the exits!! Keep your wits about you!!! I was on a big project in Kenya, and 50 Americans were in a club called "The Florida Room". You had to travel up to the third floor, on a one person wide staircase, to get to a huge club with only one exit. It was a terrorists wet dream, especially in Nairobi...remember the embassy there was blown up. The clean-up after that nightmare was something I am sure many of us would like to forget.
Keep the opinions of the local government to yourself. Most people know how bad they have it, and they do not need an American telling them how great Lodi Ohio is, and how messed up their dictator president or local customs are. There are a lot of people that understand English as a second language, and the huge Russian bouncers will not take it lightly to listen to you talk about how the barmaid would be a nice lay...it could be their sister. Jester and I have seen this happen. One punch, good night, good bye teeth, hello floor!!
Last but not least, patronize the Marine Bar, and give to these hard working men and women. Buy their polo shirts, heck, I have quite a collection. The military men and women make peanuts, and need your support, and friendship. You will be safe, meet many of the embassy staff, and make lasting friends. I continually see embassy personel and Marines from other sites all over the world. Long lasting friendships, and lots of gossip if you are into that sort of thing.
Be a proper representative to your country. Make it proud.
Happy Thanksgiving, give to "Toys for Tots"