OPEN WINDOWS | Arteries
January 1st, 2021
“I like to do my job to the best I can,
and I feel good when the people I work for say:
“You did a very good job.””
JOSE
Painter, USA
Heera Alaya: Buenos Dias, Jose!
Jose: Buenos Dias!
You can keep painting as we talk.
Okay.
How many years has it been since you moved from El Salvador to the United States?
Around twenty-five years.
Do you like your job?
I love my job. I have to work to make money. And this [painting, etc.] is a good way to make money.
What are the different jobs you perform?
I paint, gravel and plaster. I also do a bit of carpentry and some plumbing.
Where did you learn to paint and mortar?
I couldn’t attend school, so I learned the job by working. I was a helper to somebody, and after I worked in companies, I became sure of what work I could do by myself.
What time do you start your day?
I wake up at 5.30 am and get ready for work. And work time differs—sometimes we start at 7:00 am, sometimes at 9:00 am or 10:00 am.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
The weather. And the language; my English is not very good.
You speak good English. You are doing just fine.
Jose, do you prefer the winter or the summer?
It’s difficult when the weather is too cold. My boss, who is working with me now, gets a lot of exterior jobs. But in summer, we work outside and inside, no problem. And it’s better to paint in the summer.
How often do people paint the interiors of their homes?
If there are no children or pets, then once in six years is good. If people want to change the colour of the walls, they can paint it anytime.
How do you prepare for each job—from buying the paints to prepping the surface?
Before we start the paint job, we go to the site. We see the space and ask what colours they [the client] want. Sometimes the job is easy, but sometimes it’s very difficult—the old paint is very hard, and we have to use scrapers and paint thinner to remove it.
What is one issue that creates a problem?
Sometimes, the owners want to buy the paint, and sometimes, I buy the paint. We prefer the owner buy the paint because if they don’t like the colour, it’s not our problem. But if I buy the paint, sometimes it becomes a problem because the client says: “This is not the colour I want.”
What are the essential tools you require for painting?
Brushes, rollers, painting extensions and ladders. And if we are using ladders, we have to take different sizes depending on whether we need a small, 20-foot, or 40-foot ladder.
How do you clean the brushes?
If I use oil paint, I clean it with thinner. If it’s water-based paint, I have to wash the brushes with water.
Jose, what do you like about America?
I like America. I work all the time. We live safe. There is too much violence in El Salvador.
What do you like to do on your off days?
I go to the field to play soccer with my friends. I also love food, so I get food from Chipotle [Mexican-inspired food]; sometimes, I get cream cheese bagels or pupusa [a traditional Salvadoran dish]. And sometimes I cook.
Would you like to share something about how you work?
I like to do my job to the best I can, and I feel good when the people I work for say: “You did a very good job.” If people are happy, I am happy. Many people know me and call me again—they can trust me; the job will be good.
Is there anything else you would like people to know?
Yes. Many people are not interested in the other person’s job; they can be [interested in others]. And respect is important.
