The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

I started helping my dad pack parachutes when I was 8 years old. (Don't worry I'm sure whatever I helped him with he went back and fixed to make sure it was still safe). I liked helping my dad because other than that we've never really had much of a relationship. I didn't really figure out until high school that it's very odd to have a skydiving dad who packs parachutes as a living. That's the thing. You grow up in this environment and that's your norm.

In this section from Studs Terkel's Working we read "Glenn Stribling, service station owner." And "Dave Stribling, his son and partner." As you read, I think you get a very different vibe about the job from these two men.

First, we read "Glenn Stribling, service station owner." Who seemingly loves his job. He states, "I don't do it for the money. People are in trouble and they call you and you feel obligated enough to go out there and straighten them out as much as you can." (546). Throughout this article, I personally think the tone is very content. He doesn't just seem happy to be working with these people, but he's very proud of the way he knows how to handle people. Stribling states, "You gotta be the same. Customers like people the same all the time." (547). Which, I think is true. If you go in to get your hair cut by the same person every time, you get used to their humor. You get used to what is okay to talk about, what they'll laugh at, what they might not want to talk about etc. This is extremely important when you have a personal business like this.

Next, we read "Dave Stribling, his son and partner" who seems to have a very different attitude about his work. He repeatedly mentions that his dad seems to take his work home with him, whereas Dave likes to forget about his work when he gets home. Dave states, "When I used to live at home, you could tell by thirty seconds after he got in the door that he either didn't feel good or somebody gave him a bad time." (550). Dave seems a little critical of his father, I think that's just how a man his age acts, though. He's in his young 20's and I really don't think you appreciate your parents until your own children grow up and stop needing your help. He states his dad might be a little too traditional, which I can definitely see after reading Glenn's section.

Overall, I think both of these men seem to be decent and personable men. Some of the most normal men we've read about in this semester I would say. However, I think that having your children too involved in your work at a young age almost always sets you up for failure. For example, if Dr. Wanczyk started taking his daughter to class every day when she was 10 years old, she helped him grade quizzes or put grades in etc. she might grow tired of teaching. Or maybe she would decide she wants to teach differently than her dad does. Inevitably, children will grow to be critical of their parents. I think parents working alongside children can be risky business.