I have learned some universal truths.
One of those is that whomever has a job, it is the hardest job in the world. My job may be hard, but it pales in comparison to yours.
What I came to realize is that the world operates on respect, or should. I always try to give it, and I know I expect it. In the vein of general a55kissery, and knowing the forum I'm currently addressing, I at the very least try give inspectors their due. They are an authority.
I assume, by default, and I think rationally so, that they have more code knowledge than myself. I, however, know how to build better than them. That's our societal arrangement. I view this the same as interaction with police. As the road is no place to contest a policeman (that's for the court) My jobsite is no place to have an ongoing disagreement. That's not to say that if I think I can resolve a misunderstanding I won't do it there. But if we go to loggerheads I don't fire up, but either ask for a code section to confirm his argument, or actually ask if he minds me visiting the office and clarifying it with a superior. That is rare.
At some point in my past I learned to remove my ego from the equation and if possible just make corrections as needed, especially if it impacts me very little, or I might think we are just in a grey area and MAYBE I'm wrong.
The benefit to this is I very rarely get any correction other than I may have missed something not quite obvious.
Having set all that up, I have an understanding that inspectors are 99% just doing what they are supposed to do, and that we both have the same goal of providing a great product built to standards. Only a few times in my career have I felt malice, as if there was an effort to cause me harm or cost me money.
The benefits of being a civil servant, as I see it, is a stable job, minimal risk, consistent income, assurance of retirement, and possibly making the world a better place. I would hang my hat on the last one. But much like a cop, there are no milestones. They might have the most awesomest crime fighting day in their life, but theres some more waiting the next shift baby. The inspector has that same issue I think. So he has to keep pulling water from that endless well, and one fine day it will payoff with lots of fishing at lake Oroville.
From my perspective, I want them to realize that I really don't know where the next check is coming from, more often than not I'm paying out most of what I take in, I am dealing with the same rotten people he is, there is no retirement in my future, the world seems to be trying to make my job as hard as it can, and really, I'm trying to produce the best product I can.
My benefits are freedom, obvious milestones than I can attribute to goals, possible "wealth" if I make all the right moves, doing what I love, and doing things for the most part the way I want to do them.
What I hate, and I mean hate about SOME civil servants is an entitlement mentality. By that I mean complaining about things they think they deserve for free. Like certifications, ongoing education, materials to do their jobs; stuff like that.
If I am to better myself, I, ME have to pay for it, and to continue to do business I have no choice but to do it. The world owes me nothing. If you want to be GREAT at your job then by all means, spend a dime and do it. I knows guys do, but I also know a big percentage have expectations of being provided for. It's a mentality I usually reserved for union tradesmen, but it has bled into civil service as well.
So, you take what you can from the path you have chosen. You had better see the positives or you will go nuts. I think, especially as we get older, the urge to "make your mark" gets stronger and stronger. I know it has for me, and I do some things quietly that give me that satisfaction. The right people know who I am and what I'm about. I have left my mark in beneficial ways. I've missed good opportunities as well, like not joining the military when I had the chance.
For those that have a low opinion of me, I would'nt plss in there mouth if their teeth were on fire. They are low grade vindictive types that I have wiped from my memory. Persona non grata.
But for most of us, and you, trying to do wants right, ...HEY! Man up (even the girls) and do what you do best, do it the best you can, remember we are on the same team here, and that alone will make a difference and leave your good name on those you contact.
Brent.
