Chile Forum

Today a lovely gentlemen came over to assess my home for the installment of electrical wire fencing. At one point he proudly guaranteed that his workers would in fact "finish the job". I stared blankly, much like when a small child scribbles on paper and says "Look what I did! What do you think?" At which point one debates the Rorshack test and responds "Oh, it is, um, lovely" The gentlemen said it 3 more times with increasing enthusiasm and explained that his employees will come in the morning and not leave until the job is done. Then it clicked, finishing the job is the key here. So I proceeded to extoll this most ambitious goal. He was beeming I even offered to provide drinks and snack during their long day of toil to which he waved his finger and said "No no" You tell them no food or drink until the job is done or else... then he mumbled some Chilenismos. First and foremost, God bless the guy for taking pride in the fact that yes, they will not do a half-assed job. Now seriously, should I wait till they are done or will giving them water and snacks during the day mess with their flow?

momof3 wrote:Today a lovely gentlemen came over to assess my home for the installment of electrical wire fencing. At one point he proudly guaranteed that his workers would in fact "finish the job".

The expression "finish the job" in Chile does not mean what it does in the civilised countries, nor does it mean that things will actually function when the workers get ready to leave. Also, Chilean construction math is different: "half-assed" actually means "completamente cien por ciento totalmente jodido."

"Finish the job" has many meanings in Chile.

For example, "we finished the job" can mean ....

..... It's almost 6 pm.

..... the wire gauge we installed is actually one size too small.

.... we put the cover back on the power distribution panel.

... Pancho severed a femoral artery and we'll be right back.

.... we ran out of wire but that's OK because the back fence was not included in the cotización.

..... can I have a cookie now?