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Comment by xirdstl | Hacker News Reader

I agree that the attitude that doing real work is "low class" is disgusting.

I also think the attitude that paying someone to fix your car "is disgraceful" is disgusting.

I want to clarify, I don't think paying someone to fix your car is disgraceful, and that isn't what I said. My problem is with having the inability to do basic maintenance and repairs by choice, because you think it's beneath you (e.g. low class) to learn. It's like an adult that can't dress themselves because they've always had a servant do it for them. If a person is capable but just doesn't have the time, is incapable because of a disability, the repair is free under warranty, it costs more to do it yourself because of special tools needed, is an unusual job that requires a high level of experience, etc. I don't see that as disgraceful.

We only have so much time though, sure I can do a fair bit of home and vehicle repairs but I find it fascinating and only have one kid. My friends with 2-3 kids and no passion for looking under any hood I don’t begrudge them paying somebody to do it.

I agree, I am a single dad, and although I love working on cars, finding time to do so is really hard. Despite what I wrote, one of my cars is actually in the shop right now for a very expensive major engine repair covered by warranty. My love for tinkering doesn’t extend to ignoring my son so I can pay thousands for parts to do a huge expensive job myself that someone else will do for free! But if it wasn’t free, and I didn’t have the money to pay, I sure as heck could do it.

You’ve made the right choice. I haven’t had a choice at various times in my past, so I’ve spent a lot of time over the years fixing house/car/etc. instead of playing with my kids (of which I still did plenty). When my daughter was in maybe 8 or so, someone started to explain the concept of a piston to her, and she interjected, “I know what a piston is, I’ve changed spark plugs before.” Hearing that helped give perspective on some of it.

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