Yep...I got caught wearing one of my old X-Kilts at work a couple of days ago. Fortunately, being self-employed (and grossly underpaid), I don't have to answer to anyone about what I wear to work. Actually, I don't wear a kilt when I'm working since there are too many ways to ruin it between paint, stain, power tools, welding sparks, cutting iron, etc.

The back-story here is that I was actually planning to do some work around my own house when a customer called me. It seems that she dinged the face of the countertop I fabbed for her with a sauce pot when she went to put it in the sink. I told her I'd take care of it and blend it out. It took all of ten minutes and really wasn't a bad ding...it could have been left and nobody would have noticed. I usually don't charge for little follow-up jobs like this since it's part of what I feel is good customer service. Plus, it's good PR and often nets me good word-of-mouth advertising and more jobs. Usually my customers insist on paying, both for the time and especially the cost of driving there. They appriciate the fact that I check up on my work, and if they aren't happy with something I make it right. Most guys around here do the job, cash the check, and are never heard from again. I HATE that and refuse to operate that way. My name goes on it, my reputation goes with it, and I refuse to have my name go on something that the customer isn't happy with. Also, considering that I did the entire kitchen remodel(read: she spent a small fortune) she's paid up in my mind, especially since six of my last ten contracts came from friends of hers after she recommended me.

Anyway, she was trying to sneak the picture and surprise me with it, but forgot to turn off the flash.





I had to pose for one for her.

No, I don't usually wear shirts like that when I'm working either. Even though this was an unexpected service call on a day off I would have changed it but didn't realize I was wearing it until I had already driven the 55 miles to her house. Fortunately she has a good sense of humor!!

She thinks I should do my on-site work kilted and make it a sort of business trademark. I'm already known simply as "The Kilt Guy" around here. Hmmmm. Maybe I will.