Thursday, November 14, 2013

Working Men

 I admit it.  I am a sucker for a pretty face.

I've never found suit and tie men particularly attractive.  I like a guy who is not afraid to get his hands dirty.  I also love men who work hard at physical labor to support their family.  I find that extremely attractive!

I also am partial to Mexican men.  They are almost without exception good looking and courteous.

I first met Edgar and Omar when they showed up almost an hour late to powerwash my house four weeks ago.  I had been dealing with electricians, interior painters, color consultants, appliance deliveries, and a wide breadth of contractors who either showed up late or not at all.  I was fuming when I went out to talk to the guys and yell at them for being late.

Edgar, the guy in the top photo, just laughed as I raged at his brother, Omar, (middle of bottom photo).  Omar was trying to explain that a piece of equipment had been broken and had to be replaced and that he was sorry.  I ranted for a couple more minutes until Edgar's good humor had me laughing too. 

I asked the painters, "Are you guys Mexican?" and they replied that they were.  I told them I am Mexican too, and they seemed a bit surprised.  To me, this sealed the deal.  From that moment on, these young Mexican men were more family than strangers.

Two more guys, Antonio and Luis, came to join them a couple of days later.  They were both very nice too.  These guys worked their butts off from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, scraping and patching this old house to get it ready for painting.  They all wore what looked like Hazmat suits and masks because this is dirty hard and dangerous work.  After the scaffolding went up, the men would perform high wire acts outside the windows of our two story (with full basement) home.  They flew up the side of the house like Spiderman!

Their radios played from 8:00 AM until night time and I listened to Mexican music while the guys sometimes sang along.  I loved that they seemed to work so well together and there was a good deal of laughing as they toiled.

On Fridays and Saturdays, after they had worked for about 11 hours, we brought them a twelve pack of beer.  They sat in the backyard, sometimes with a little television on and watched their beloved soccer while drinking Coronas and talking.  (We later found out they actually enjoyed Belgium beer even more and so we switched it up.)  After the first couple of times, Alex and I joined them for a drink before they packed up for the night.

Initially, I had worried a little that Edgar and Luis (lower photo, far right) might be under age, but then when I questioned them, Edgar is 27 and Luis is 24.  So I wasn't breaking the law after all.

After four weeks, the painting is complete.  We are delighted with the marvelous job these guys did in painting the outside of this 1880 Victorian home.  They were meticulous and professional.  They were funny and charming. 

And yes, they were a treat for my eyes too! 


28 comments:

  1. What sweet looking fellows! I too am partial to Hispanic men, having my very own Cuban cutie in Mr. VZ.

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  2. What a great bunch of lads they look! Having a father who toiled his whole life in physical work, I am also drawn to the physical labourer, rather than a white collar worker.

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  3. Tami, my husband, Alex, is Navajo Indian. He is frequently mistaken for Hispanic. There is something about those dark brown eyes that gets to me every time!

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  4. Actually, I don't limit myself to guys where that's concerned. We have numerous lesbian couples as friends, and I'm always attracted to the more "boyish" of the pair. I love people who work with their hands and their backs.

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  5. Do you suppose they'd be willing to come to Canada? My house desperately needs eye candy... I mean, painting! And I have beer!

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  6. I think I need to plan a trip in the new year to see all the new home improvements. :-)

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  7. I think you should too, Nubian Darling!

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  8. Oh, Linda!! This is THE BEST home improvement story EVER!

    Tip of my hat to Edgar, Omar, Antonio and Luis!

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  9. You giving them your gorgeous smile would be a wonderful tip!

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  10. Love the way you look at the world! You just love life! Dwight

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  11. Dwight, I think you and I could be great friends. I do keep a positive attitude because it's the best way to go. We choose how we live. I firmly believe that. And maybe life gets that much sweeter when you know you've lived longer than you will live. I don't know. I want to go out kicking and screaming and having fun the whole way! Thank you for visiting. I'd make you a cup of coffee if you were here!

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  12. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comNovember 18, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    They look like happy guys! I was born in Mexico so does that make me Mexican too?

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  13. Fiona, you are an "honorary Mexican" as far as I am concerned. These guys are adorable!

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  14. If more people treated others the way you do, the world would be a better place!

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  15. B, life is sweeter when you are nice to people and they are nice to you. It should always work that way, but sadly, it doesn't.

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  16. Hard working men are attractive! Glad you all took the time to have a beer with them. They seem like very nice gentlemen.

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  17. They are lovely guys, SuziCate! I miss having them around!

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  18. Eye candy, a marvelous paint job and "Not breaking the law" what a perfect day! Congratulations on finishing the renovation. I loved the pictures you posted on FB.

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  19. When I was in the UK, the only Mexican I saw was when I looked in the mirror! These guys were seriously a delight to have around. (Plus, they did perfect work!)

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  20. Thanks Lauren! It was a pretty good experience for a major renovation!

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  21. Merri, I really like Mexican guys most of the time. But I'm probably happier married to my Navajo. (Mexican men tend to be bossy with their wives. Navajos are a totally matriarchal society!)

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  22. Sweet!
    I have a feeling you were a treat for them, as well, Linda :) Xx
    hope you have a fabulous Holiday.

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  23. Thanks so much Kim. I hope you and your family have a lovely holiday season. (These guys really were adorable!)

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  24. If I was flirting, it was Grandma flirting, Totsy!

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