Hilarious NYC Electrician Speaks His Mind While Working On Just About Everything!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2010
- As many of my subscribers know, I believe in the working people. Men and women. "Ordinary" people. The people I came from. I believe that ordinary people are extraordinary if you give them the chance to share their personalities and points of view and cultures.
I was working on a project for a startup called Serious Materials that got the job to install new soundproof windows in the Empire State building. A huge project really. I hired a one-man band director/cameraman/soundman Steve Clack, a well-known documentary filmmaker in New York. His job was to capture the window related events of the day but that's not what happened.
This electrician who said he had a "New York State of mind" approached Steve as you can see in this video. And he started talking. Instead of doing his "job" Steve stayed with him and captured this wonderful footage which I edited into the film you are watching.
There have been many comments on this film by electricians, union electricians, and those opposed to the union. Of course this job in New York City was a union job. And he clearly is a New Yorker in heart and mind and in his way of speaking. Being a New Yorker myself, I appreciated everything about him and although I don't fully understand the nature of the union/nonunion debate, I saw that his colleagues respected him for his electrician expertise.
My team and I respected him for his wonderful storytelling capabilities.
If this video is enjoyable to you, I would appreciate your clicking the super thanks button below the video screen to the right. That support allows me to keep digging into my archives for more clips for you and other subscribers and searchers to enjoy.
Thank you
David Hoffman filmmaker - บันเทิง
Guys like this make it enjoyable to go to work......Top man
He rules.
yensabi Amen.
I live and work in NY. I have met a lot of guys like this guy. But for some reason this guy has some kind of special appeal to him. You want to hear what he will say next. Great video. Thanks.
I felt the same way. He was symbolic of a certain type of New Yorker that you and I know quite well. He played the role almost like he was a great actor. And it was just recorded in the midst of his day, him talking to a cameraman, really not thinking that there would ever be a movie out of it.
David Huffman-filmmaker
To EVERYONE complaining more talk than working.....A good guy like this doesn't even need to pick up a tool. we have a guy like that at our shop and when he shows up Morale is up, production is up just from making people laugh. we need people like this in the trade
+Ike Costner Yes. This guy is only on the tools because he wants to be. He is doing his crew a favour with every termination he makes.
Experience trumps speed. A guy that steadily moves forward with no mistakes is always welcome on my crew. No mistakes, no questions every 5 minutes and no pulling shit out. More importantly no weird ass work
I've worked for companies that made serious money with great accounts in NYC and they didn't let us talk much, in fact laughing or joking around was a blasphemy. Eight hours is not enough to move NYC high demanding deadlines and Employers don't like to pay over time...so do your math. These people look like union workers. Good luck having that motto in life. Save the smiles and the jokes for your wife and kids.
What motivates me as a man to put in a productive days work is my paycheck every two weeks. This notion that you need a human clown to help motivate you to work IS pathetic at best. That's what's wrong with America, people who feel they need to have some other motivation to work an honest days work.? On top of that this clown of a worker is using channel lock pliers to
tighten a screw! That tells me everything I need to know what type of man this guy is not.
Yeah using channel locks to screw a screw....priceless
This is the sort of co worker I strive to work with. He oozes knowledge wisdom and humility. If I was his apprentice, I would have lapped up all the knowledge he'd have. One of the best 11:47 minutes of my life used up. Thanks for the upload :)
Well said, Scott.
I started out as a mechanic with this guy, he was the grandfather I never got to know and I learned a lot about my work and life in general. After twenty-five years I became the grand-father to a new crop of young mechanics who called me "pops" and said they learned more from me than their teachers at school. I told them; book learning is great, you learn the basics, but experience teaches you how to get through the day and get the job done.
My father was a local 3 electrician. They were all such a great group of people. Thank god for unions.
All talk and no work, says everybody from their work computer...
Old man talks memes before the internet.
Truly nice guy, greetings from Slovak electrician. That is the kind of man you would like to work with, everything goes easier
I'm living in Kosice man where are you from
This man here is a dime a dozen. I have been fortunate to work with both sides of the trade. There’s asshole and awesome people everywhere you go, but as an apprentice it definitely doesn’t seem like work if you’re working with a journeyman with a positive attitude. I love this and I’ll definitely strive to be as cool as this young man.
British Merchant Navy 30 years,i loved sailing with guys like this.Absolute admiration for this guy love him to bits
Some of the most intelligent men I have met in my life were tradesman. Alot of storytelling goes on during the workday that makes it all fun and a pleasure to partake in.
quote " Today It's a FAKE world... I don't care I'm on my way out"
well said very well said and beautifully put
lmao
Everyone is so quick to judge this man's work ethic in the space of an 11 minute video. I'll gladly apprentice with him any time. I've been fortunate to learn several trades and fabrication skills from guys much like him. But it's more than just the trade you're learning.
He's more interesting than most celebrities.
Thanks for sharing David Hoffman. I like his story, he's a hard worker and had the opportunity to get the electric working in that empire state building.👍🙂🎥
Thank you for your comment. I don't think much of the value of college papers these days so I'm glad you took the time to watch my short subject.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
and what the fuck is going on hes loosening a set screw with channel locks and pushing romex through it lmao
I KNEW I saw Romex in that box! WTF? Too much heat...
No shit! I can't believe he wasn't using a Langstrom 7" Gangley wrench!
His attitude is a blessing.
I needed this today. Thanks David Hoffman and Steve Clark. I don't know how to tag on youtube, so I hope this reaches you guys. Everybody's got a job. Everybody. He really is a beautiful soul. Glad people like that exist.
We need more people like that on local news networks as stories.
You reached us. We appreciate it this Memorial Day. Thank you.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Nice Video ,in the late 80's I worked with an old timer from New York, now I am the old timer. I never have to worry if my men are working, they all respect me.
I've had the pleasure of working with and mentoring with guys like him. They just don't make em like this anymore. You can learn a lot from men like this. Luckily my dad was a hard worker and Ive learned so much about tricks of the trades and just about being a man, a good man. I think that's what this younger generation will miss is working along side of the baby boomers. Much respect and love to our seniors.
I could sit down and listen to old timers all day man....
This is the definition of WISE!
Smart old man!
note to self: The last thing he did at the end of the day is (CYOA). He made it a point to have the camera man look at the box and said I left it there if it isn't there tomorrow you are proof I left it there. The whole moral of this video is CYOA, CYOA, CYOA
+chris macklin I wish I could like your comment more times.
chris macklin Oh man, isn't that the truth.
ID WORK WITH THIS GUY ANYDAY. SHIT ILL CARRY HIS TOOLS AND MINE. OLD MAN IS COOL. I WONDER HOW MUCH THEY MAKE IN NY
Around $53 an hr not including benefits
LMAO on the conduit scene in Ghostbusters and his reinactment!!!!!
I bet it would have been a riot to work along side of this Kat.... I have always enjoys hanging out and working with folks that could tell a mile long story about nothing... When these folks are gone, the stories leave with them. So folk's, any time you have the opportunity to listen and or work along side of some old timers, DO IT!!!!! Even if they are grumpy as h*ll, those grumpy ones to me are some of the funniest ones, let alone, they will never steer you wrong, by means of telling it like it is... Thank for sharing the video... pretty cool Kat there. reminds me of some old timers, that I miss dearly. Those old timers played a huge role in who I am today. There was some rough times, while trying to get under their wings, but, was so worth it!
I can't believe im reading all these non union shop rockets talking about the electrical work. Everyone missed the point of the whole video. Its about a man, just another face in the city that had thoughts and dreams, who is just making a living as an electrician. He must have so much life experience I could talk to him for hours. His work was not bad at all if I was to look at it. Did you listen to what he said "I like history, cause im part of it." And " yep, im on my way out". I quote Jack Nicholson in the movie About Schmitt " when I die and everyone that knows me dies. Its like I never even existed. " . . . So stop talking all that bullshit. Union workers get paid more, better benifits, and conditions for a reason. They fought many years for it. And, I am a union electrician because I am not going to put the well being and support of my family in the hands of no one. Especially so non union contractor, who one day gets a bug up his ass and puts you out of a job. Now what???? Use your head, VOTE UNION!!!
Thank you so much for your comment and its insights. You understand why I made this movie. Just a man. Just an electrician. Just a city. Just an extraordinary storyteller. Just a great guy.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
I personally couldn't care less about unions. In my experience it means someone getting paid more money than they are worth and that means the rest of us have to pay more for the products so we can support their benefits and lifestyles just as we do the CEOs and other people who don't do anymore work than we do but make more because they are willing to make everyone suffer if they don't get their way.
The parasitic scale starts at the mega wealthy who aren't even listed on the Forbes 100, then the Forbes 100, then dictators, then the politicians, then union bosses, then union workers, then you skip past the people who get paid what they are worth because they earned it by working not by extortion, then the parasite list continues with welfare whores and their baby daddies.
Edward Owens you are not in the union, obviuosly!! and jealous about it...sorry pal!! i am Lcl# 3- Union!!
wow..pretty well said, there Ed. I have to admit bro.. i bet you learned electrical work, much quicker than !, i admire non-union workers, trust me...i work with alot of guys that got organized from lcl#363. and to tell you the truth, they work, better than the guys from the union hall!!! its all good man..i didnt mean for you take offense to that" statment, my bad, in wording it.
- MrRIchBiker
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This is my very 1st ever you tube comment. What a great guy...
Thank you Stuart. I thought so as well.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
"are you a king?" "Know what im saying?" fukcking love it!
There's a great message here. Everything, everyone, has a place in this world. No matter how small one life or one task may be, it has purpose.
Know what I'm saying ,, God bless this man...
Lol I would love for this guy to show me the ropes on how to be an electrician,since I'm taking classes to be one
How did your classes go
when i was i kid in the 80's i worked for some oldtimers like this....(more "Connected" if you get my drift),,. I learned more then from them then any 'teacher' could instill.
I completely agree. Thank you
David Hoffman
Amen brother!! we as a electricians, we are artists.
See the eyes on that guy? Beautiful. I bet he wanted to be in show business when he was young. Good film.
I hope I grow old like this man and keep positive :)
+jesus noriega (PETAIEATCOW) Staying positive is fairly easy. Being grateful precedes positive IMO.
love that old man.. ppl like him are the best on the job site..
"Why do I like history? 'Cause I'm part of it."
This guy is what we call "retired at work," every shop has one. They come to work, do all the easy stuff, keep people happy. And that's about it. But we like them around. And they're normally very wise.
its good to hear people like this...see he knows how to joke hes not making fun of his crew to get a laugh and ridicule them ...now a days ppl wanna joke on friends and coworkers..as a born and raised nyker im a doorman in manhattan for 16 yrs .this place has changed alot this man has seen more than i ..its too bad that old timers like this are gone...now you have angry babyboomers to work for
Love having a guy like this on the tower site, he works hard when there's work to be done, once we're off and in the hotel or restaurant there's no better moral booster... No matter how shitty the tower was or the fact that it was 100° and no wind @ 1800'
Legend has it that DB is still being made off 😂
Top bloke👍
Electricians make the world go round'
I'm pretty sure that it's actually the sun's gravity and conservation of angular momentum or somesuch, jus sayin.
sizlax Don't forget Maxwell's Equations and Kirchoff's laws. They may not physically spin the Earth but they power your light bulb and you can thank guys like this man on the video for that!
CHistrue Yessir!
And if you don't like the way the Earth is spinning, electricians know how to reverse its rotation...
Electricians are the oldest profession...Then God commanded, "Let there be Light"- and light appeared. Gen 1.3 Can't get older than that.
What a beautiful old master!
Now here's a guy that has done what he was supposed to do, what a legend.
Good luck to you my friend
Awesome ol guy, i have two major college papers due in a week, and started watching him and could not quit...cool and funny guy !!
Excellent... the world this man comes from was much better in so many ways.
Hilarious and very funny.. Electricians play a big part in any industry and establishments. I salute them.
Agreed. Everyone is in so much of a hurry to talk him down, it's a joke like those who know it all. Nothing wrong with working hard and working fast and I'm sure this man had a lifetime of it in his past, but you can comment that you know better and it is not the case in most instances. He probably has forgotten more than most will ever learn. No way can every man move at light speed till the end and many do but that number is only one thing, a number and it means nothing. Many here miss what they could learn if they were able to slow down but society won't allow it and the trade suffers because of it. There's just no way to allow new concepts to process because it takes what the industry has run out of and that is the element of time and experience. To come to another level of understanding takes time to process and the majority never will have the level of personal saturation of expert experience around to learn from and what is possible is never understood.
Loved it!
I am an electrician, as my father. What a fantastic video. I think you have to be in the trade to appreciate it, I can't wait to watch it again!!!!!!!!!!
I'd love to work with people like these. It wouldn't even feel like workk. I could learn alot from people like him
I wonder how this gentleman is doing now? What a character
LOCAL 3 much respect IBEW
I worked with an ironworker like this but in the SF Bay. Was motivating and more fun to work, actually having a smooth day.
I don't know, guys like this get super annoying after like 6 months. By that point, you've heard all the jokes at least 8 times, and they just keep telling them and you have to kind of fake chuckle 6-10 times every day. That's taxing, man.
Oh fuuuccckkkk, I thought I was alone in having that problem. Are we going to end up like a human broken record as well, I wonder?
His knowledge of electrical already secures his job not to mention his wonderful character
That was my favorite part of Ghostbusters
haha ghost busters is the best part!
I had a neighbor from Upstate that acted just like this guy. He had a heart attack and died. I sure do miss him. A true pal all the way.
all I know is that you never get paid what you deserve...
Happy while at work, love it!!! Going to check out 👻 busters👏🌞
How does this not have millions of views already? 262k? Chump change.
Thanks for the thoughts you have provided here.
Thanks, great video
thats great..he sounds like a cool guy to work with. he says "if I look familiar to a lot of people.. " you can BARELY see him in the movie lol Great video!
Thank you. I think that he is a wonderful guy. I'm glad that you appreciated him, and my movie.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Neat workmanship. Go union !
like a space shuttle....all you see is smoke.....very smart man
I love the Clackumentaries
Its really really hard to talk and work for me atleast. Im a field tech with dish network and every time my field service manager comes out to check up on me and see how my work is lookin and shit we just end up bullshittin and he doesnt realize it but he slows me down a lot because we just keep talkin lol same thing with customers its hard to actually listen and conversate when your thinkin about your work so i give this dude props
Paul Parry Allbaster......Dude Spark....Walrus of Love ...and Jay....Happy Days....
Sparks Forever!
this guy inspires me in some kind of way i cant explain but it put a smile on my face for sure! although id re check that wiring for New York Code xD
Ninja Man; Thank you for your comment. He inspired me as well which is why I made this documentary on him. He was just himself. Without any editing or filter. If you didn't like it, he didn't care. I admire that.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
What a pure guy
I love working with old timers like this guy, they got stories for days. IBEW local 98 represent! Build Union, Buy American.
Nothing wrong with union .but because they have strength in numbers and can control a market in many areas...they get lazy and milk jobs...and that's just FACTS
Typical of a union employee ! They now how to make work enjoyable! This just shows how life can be better!
Typical of a union employee..Lazy and take your time beyond what's needed...when you have strength in numbers and job security through those numbers..you can easily get slow and lazy.i have worked on MANY union jobs and our non union workers where FAR more productive
The brown Knaack site boxes are identical to our ones here in England. Don't you Sparks in North America not use through boxes and angle boxes in conduit runs? The Spark in this video was a good laugh, great character
Guys like this make me miss the construction site
partick49 what was your occupation? And why did you leave? Just curious
great guy, I got a buddy just like this and the foreman run him off the job.
God bless Old Timers. They will be missed, and probably not replaced.
from local#728
Thanks for the tips you have shared here.
Electrician Dallas Tx I
this guy is cool as hell
I knew a guy who just retired like him here in chicago..even talks a little like him..he knew his shit too
Cool reminds me of alot of my brothers !!!
New drinking game: take a shot for every time he says, “ya know what I mean?”
It makes me so happy knowing this ibew union electrician will be able to retire with a pension and annuity
And all his hard work will be worth it . This is great to see thanks ibew and union electricians this great man
the video was taken throughout the day.11 minutes of an 8 hour day.quit saying how much money in labor he wasted.like all you people out there work like f'in robots.people are screwin off at all jobs
I gotta join Local 3. That's a nice gentlemanly pace they're all working at.
Electrician or welder. Which would you choose as of 2017? I'm thinking welding has more variety /opportunities in jobs sectors: from oil companies, to government to the private sector. But, electricians might make more. I'm signed up for electric arc welding courses, but I'm having second thoughts based on the money long term. I'm told welders make good money eventually. I'm also in my thirties leaving the white collar service sector on a new career path, I hate working in an office and ma$ter$ degrees are becoming worthless like bachelors degrees. . .
I wouldn't want to weld because of breathing in all sorts of fumes. that can't be good for long term health.
44 years on a trade and you know what you are doing, whether you are chatty or keep shtum.
Yeah guys like this make work fun, day goes by quick. I've worked with some miserable people, jesus it's bad!
Oh wowww. That was so cool.
I would never get anything done, Id be passing this guy and quacking aaaaaaaall day! LOL
This is great Steve, and yeah, these guys are the ones who are smart. This guy should run for office.
Clare
Hey man I'm an electrician from VA you guys hold it down up there.
HAHAHAHA i love this guy.
35 years as electrician. Last 25 local 617. To comment about treating old men close to retirement different than other workers on job ,giving them the easy stuff to do to get them to retirement Kiss My Ass.The day I do not produce as much as the younger workers my ass goes back to the hall. As far as this guy in video , if he can get away with bullshiting for half an hour on company time,good for him.
+Calvin Hillstrom Your hall sucks. After that many years on the tools this guy has forgotten more than most know. Show a little respect to the brother who has a positive attitude after working however many years with entitled dinks like you.
older dude sorta lik the job foreman, checking making sure younger ones doign things right. top that if something goes wrong every body will prob look to him to fix it..THis electriction might really like what he does.. special treatment, sound u salty about that. I would NOT expect dude that age to output like an 18 year old..
This guy is a boss in my book.