House Painter Forum

Professional Painters => Professional Painters and associated Trades Forum => POLLS => Topic started by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 04:39:52 PM

Title: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 04:39:52 PM
Saw this question on the faq and spit out my coca cola through my nose when I read that painters (allegedly) drink no more than the other professions.

Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: the PAINTSMITH on March 21, 2008, 05:41:46 PM
...painters (allegedly) drink no more than the other professions.



We work more than the other trades....For obvious reasons...

attributing alcohol use is being suckered into a stereotype. We just had a surgeon in the area arrested for trying to ply his craft with his blood alcohol level at 0.32...Does that condemn all surgeons?
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Lynjowoman on March 21, 2008, 05:55:24 PM
Working in a hospital for 10yrs. it was nothing to see Doctors come in on weekends or the evening shift snookered. Drive by any of the Country Clubs, Yatch Clubs, etc. And see who comes out stagering. I bet it isn't painters. White collars can just cover it up better.  ::)

Lynjo
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: the PAINTSMITH on March 21, 2008, 06:10:51 PM
Lynjo, I've worked with over a hundred painters in my career, likely more than that. I've known a fraction of those who drank excessively, after work. Never did I work with someone who drank on the job, and this is after 20-odd years in the trade. I saw no preponderance of alcoholics in the painting trade like I have in others (like the medical profession, or worse the local Air-Guard).

...And I've worked side-by-side with alcoholics who, by virtue of having an ETHIC, never drank on the job.

Yeah, lets perpetuate a myth... ::) This thread stradles the cusp of idiocy for it's insinuation...
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Lynjowoman on March 21, 2008, 07:01:20 PM
I agree with you Eric. 100%  I guess some people have nothing better to do.  ;D

Lynjo
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Bauer on March 21, 2008, 07:41:22 PM
I do not drink. My partner does not drink. and only one of my workers drinks. but heroin, thats another story!  ;D ;) ::) 0)-(0
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: BrushJockey on March 21, 2008, 07:48:32 PM
I also think some of the stereotype really comes from old sealerheads.  Who needs a drink with the good old chems that used to be the stock and trade of painting.  I got pulled over once for driving under the influence of epoxy!
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 07:50:07 PM
Lynjo, I've worked with over a hundred painters in my career, likely more than that. I've known a fraction of those who drank excessively, after work. Never did I work with someone who drank on the job, and this is after 20-odd years in the trade. I saw no preponderance of alcoholics in the painting trade like I have in others (like the medical profession, or worse the local Air-Guard).

...And I've worked side-by-side with alcoholics who, by virtue of having an ETHIC, never drank on the job.

Yeah, lets perpetuate a myth... ::) This thread stradles the cusp of idiocy for it's insinuation...

Paintsmith

I'm not insinuating anything; I'm coming straight out and saying that painters drink a lot more on average than any other profession.  Thats been *my* experience over the last 28 yrs.   Could just be that Canadians like their beer more.

http://www.gannett.com/go/difference/greatfalls/pages/part2/survey.html  gives us a bit of a clue

Regards
Rick
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: TomTom on March 21, 2008, 09:01:29 PM
Quote
painters drink a lot more on average than any other profession.

It may also be that you've spent more time with painters than any other profession. It's a stereotype and nothing else. Quite absurd to suggest painters drink more than any other profession. I spent ten years as a bicycle messenger in Boston and San Francisco and I can assure you that the messengers will outdrink any painters I've ever known, and I've known a lot. I've read something along the lines of what BrushJockey suggested and that is in the past many painters at the end of a work day would be so fried from chemical fumes that people just assumed they were drunk. Maybe it's true maybe not, and though it is fair to say some painters do drink but it doesn't mean they all do. Just as one painter may spend a disproportionate amount of his time posting to a particular web site doesn't mean every other painter does. Right?
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: the PAINTSMITH on March 21, 2008, 09:03:49 PM
Quote
I'm coming straight out and saying that painters drink a lot more on average than any other profession.

I don't care what you're "coming straight out and saying". It's perpetuation of a FALSE stereotype and a lie. Kindly live with with your addiction without sucking the rest of us into it.
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 09:17:16 PM
Quote
I'm coming straight out and saying that painters drink a lot more on average than any other profession.

I don't care what you're "coming straight out and saying". It's perpetuation of a FALSE stereotype and a lie. Kindly live with with your addiction without sucking the rest of us into it.

Paintsmith

Like I said;  it's been *my* experience.  btw...I don't have any addictions except for maybe watching the Apprentice.

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 09:19:14 PM
Quote
painters drink a lot more on average than any other profession.
and though it is fair to say some painters do drink but it doesn't mean they all do. Just as one painter may spend a disproportionate amount of his time posting to a particular web site doesn't mean every other painter does. Right?

TomTom

No one is suggesting an absolute rule; we're talking about percentages in relation to...... 

and you're right about your hypothetical "painter"

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: ProWallGuy on March 21, 2008, 09:28:22 PM
I've always wondered why the can openers had a bottle opener on the other end. I've never opened a bottle with it on a job site, thats for sure. Thank God Crown Royal comes with a screw-on cap.  8)

(http://www.ice-cream-stick.com/images/2.jpg)
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: rmichael on March 21, 2008, 10:42:53 PM
I think the FAQ (referenced in the OP) from our host site has it right..

Quote
There is probably no higher a percentage of alcoholics in the painting trade than any other trade or profession. The reputation is rooted in the past when all paint was solvent based. Painters were often seen red faced with swollen eyes from the paint solvents and perhaps a bit unstable from the fumes.

but those damn plumbers... don't get me started...  :D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 10:50:11 PM
I think the FAQ (referenced in the OP) from our host site has it right..

Quote
There is probably no higher a percentage of alcoholics in the painting trade than any other trade or profession. The reputation is rooted in the past when all paint was solvent based. Painters were often seen red faced with swollen eyes from the paint solvents and perhaps a bit unstable from the fumes.

but those damn plumbers... don't get me started...  :D ;D ;D

Let's not forget either....chambermaids dont drink  (because they're humble Filipinas)....so technically the above hypothesis is incorrect.

 8)

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: TomTom on March 21, 2008, 11:12:13 PM
Quote
chambermaids dont drink  (because they're humble Filipinas)

Can't help yourself with the stereotypes today huh Rick? What was it that Paintsmith wrote earlier, oh yeah: "This thread stradles the cusp of idiocy". Right on.
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 21, 2008, 11:20:35 PM
Quote
chambermaids dont drink  (because they're humble Filipinas)

Can't help yourself with the stereotypes today huh Rick? What was it that Paintsmith wrote earlier, oh yeah: "This thread stradles the cusp of idiocy". Right on.

Tommy

Try to embrace reality;  it can be very enobling.

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: rmichael on March 21, 2008, 11:45:58 PM
I think the FAQ (referenced in the OP) from our host site has it right..

Quote
There is probably no higher a percentage of alcoholics in the painting trade than any other trade or profession. The reputation is rooted in the past when all paint was solvent based. Painters were often seen red faced with swollen eyes from the paint solvents and perhaps a bit unstable from the fumes.

but those damn plumbers... don't get me started...  :D ;D ;D

Let's not forget either....chambermaids dont drink  (because they're humble Filipinas)....so technically the above hypothesis is incorrect.

 8)

Best

Actually it's a theory based on historical fact and common sense...  that is not to say that there are no alcoholics in the trade, but it does explain how a false stereotype became entrenched and exaggerated.
If you truly believe that the vast majority of painters are alcoholics then please explain the alluring characteristics of the trade. Why is such a disproportional number of alcoholics drawn to the profession, is it the creative aspect, the craftsmanship, or the self satisfaction derived from the job, we are talking professional painters here... right?
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 22, 2008, 12:59:27 AM
I think the FAQ (referenced in the OP) from our host site has it right..

Quote
There is probably no higher a percentage of alcoholics in the painting trade than any other trade or profession. The reputation is rooted in the past when all paint was solvent based. Painters were often seen red faced with swollen eyes from the paint solvents and perhaps a bit unstable from the fumes.

but those damn plumbers... don't get me started...  :D ;D ;D

Let's not forget either....chambermaids dont drink  (because they're humble Filipinas)....so technically the above hypothesis is incorrect.

 8)

Best
If you truly believe that the vast majority of painters are alcoholics

rmichael

I don't believe that nor did I say that.

Best
Rick

Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 22, 2008, 01:56:45 AM
...painters (allegedly) drink no more than the other professions.


We just had a surgeon in the area arrested for trying to ply his craft with his blood alcohol level at 0.32...Does that condemn all surgeons?

Smith

Please don't misread what I'm saying.  I never stated that because *one* painter is an alcoholic....therefore they *all* are.

The rest of your posts are predicated on this erroneous notion you have of what I said.

I'm simply saying that painters *probably* drink more than *most* professions.

Work with me here;   lets do the math together. 

I know all the reasons why too. 

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: the PAINTSMITH on March 22, 2008, 06:05:57 AM
Quote

painters drink a lot more on average than any other profession


Again, perpetuation of a FALSE stereotype and a lie.

Quote

I'm simply saying that painters *probably* drink more than *most* professions.


Read this last quote carefully, from your last post. You should note that you were NOT simply saying "probably" nor "most" in the initial post...Now you want to add qualifiers to your statement after making a run at trashing the trade that this forum was created for?

Please read this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29).


Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 22, 2008, 10:31:40 AM
Quote


Smith

I agree with both my statements.   Let me rephrase yet again for the sake of *your* clarity. 

Painters, in my opinion, drink more than any other profession and if they don't they come awefully close.   I am clear that your opinion is different.  Thats cool though; it's that very thing that makes horse races.

Best

Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 22, 2008, 10:47:34 AM


Please read this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29).

Smith

My post was *on topic*..simply further to something else I read on this site in the faq.  Your ad hominem (look it up) is off topic and therefore meets the definition of the subject matter of the very link you provide.  Thank you for that. 

Best



Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: ProWallGuy on March 22, 2008, 11:07:44 AM

























(http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/popcorn.gif)
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 22, 2008, 11:12:24 AM
(http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/popcorn.gif)

Lol;  pretty funny; never seen that one before.

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: readboutjc on March 22, 2008, 11:56:37 AM










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Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: chrisn on March 22, 2008, 05:19:45 PM
I'm simply saying that painters *probably* drink more than *most* professions.

Might I ask why you would think such a thing? Any concrete evidence whatsoever?
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: Rick Anderson on March 22, 2008, 05:29:19 PM
I'm simply saying that painters *probably* drink more than *most* professions.

Might I ask why you would think such a thing? Any concrete evidence whatsoever?

Sure, 28 yrs of observation.

Best
Title: Re: Painters And Alcohol
Post by: admin on March 22, 2008, 06:53:24 PM
This thread has exhausted all avenues of discussion and offers no insight or information that would not be redundant.
The thread is locked.

Admin