Both of my sons, Chris and Randall, usually preferred to be on the drill site with me rather than go to school, ball games, Cub Scouts, or stay home after school.
Many times the boys would get on the bus at school, that was going by the drill site and get off the bus at the drill site. I'm sure this couldn't be done today!
Our sons are as different as daylight and dark. Randy (the quiet one) seldom has much to say unless asked. Chris (Piglet), on the other hand, is more like his dad (mouthy, says what comes to his mind).
Piglet was about 10 years-old and at a drill site assisting with the drilling. He usually knew when things were going right or wrong (drillers have those times). On this day something wasn't going just right with the drilling and Piglet said, "Uh, oh," in front of the customer. This alerted the customer there was something wrong and he immediately asked what's the problem . . . I explained it wasn't serious and was being rectified. Then I took Piglet around in front of the truck and explained to him that when a customer was around . . . NEVER SAY, "Uh, oh," and why.
Piglet remembers our discussion from that day to this, and advises friends, clients, and employees the same.
If a customer ever hears "Uh, oh" while drilling his well or installing his pump, the first thing he will remember if he has a well or pump problem in the future was that statement, "Uh, oh." Then he is sure you made a mistake while working for him. No amount of explaining will ever remove this thought from his mind.
Customers can't usually remember the contract agreement, but they will never forget the statement, "Uh, oh."
