Jack of All Trades

By: Kimberly Salter

        First of all, that is a very sexist statement! I know quite a few "Jane's of all trades"! But we won't squabble over verbiage! What does this phrase actually mean? And who came up with the idea? In an effort to find the answer to my question, I went to a website my husband found: www.wordorigins.org. It is a source of tremendous information about the origins of words and certain phrases. For me, there was not an answer to my question found there. Nonetheless, a worthwhile source of trivia in the search to understand the phrases we use every day. I went to www.google.com and found pages and pages of "Jack of all trades" with different antidotes and reasons they call them such. Yet, still not the answer I was looking for. So, here we go with my theory.

        In an effort to be competent and complete, as most people hate to rely on others, we strive for knowledge and it's acquisition. This has had a tremendous impact on mankind in general. Everything that is produced comes with some type of manual or directions. If written properly and in layman's terms, there is not much we can not put together, repair or demolish with a little elbow grease and oh, that special tool they give you! Even when you purchase something that states: "Some assembly required" you are thinking: Yeah right, how many parts will be left over after I have completed the assembly? Should I get on that exercise bike or will it impale me? Or maybe this; Ok! Finished the wall unit, now you have to move the thing. It took a crane to get it in the middle of the living room, and now family members say with painful grimaces on their faces: "You want us to move it where?" Yeah, you know this for a fact don't you! But here is a good question: Who actually reads the directions? Men? Hehe, that's a good one. They are the ones that say: "I don't need no stinking directions!" Ok, that is a little harsh and a bad rap for men, we need to be fair and make a retraction to a degree by saying: "There are men out there that read directions, I just haven't met many!" There, that's a little better. Women search for the "how to" in life and once they have acquired the knowledge, they still read the directions! Why you ask? Let's examine the bad rap given to women:

        First: It was Eve's fault right? I agree but there is so much more to it. Many men (not all) feel: "she can't do "Mans" work because after all, she's just a woman". Then there those famous knee slapping "Air-head" and "Dumb Blonde" jokes. Men will be the first to share them and laugh the hardest at them. I guess the opinion from Eve down has been that women just don't have what it takes to be considered in this world. There are still some "Neanderthals" that believe this to be true. Here is how history has presented the duties of man and woman: The man hunts for food, builds things, is the general laborer, and in addition to that, they are the protectors of woman. The woman stayed home, tended to the children, and the fields, provided clothing, cleaning, and food preparation etc., all the duties that being a "House Wife" entails. My husband calls it being a "Domestic Goddess" (nothing of worship, meant purely in jest!). And everyone has heard this particular phrase at least once or twice in his or her life: "That's woman's work!" We pretty much get the clear picture of their views. So we have established the roll of the man and woman and learned, "Nar the twain shall meet" (so some think). Yet, the woman has morphed her roll in life so that what a man does, she can do too! Do you remember the "E'njoli" perfume commercial? The one with the woman in a suit going to work, coming home, cooking dinner, then being with her man? The song was "I'm a Woman" and went like this: "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan! And NEVER, NEVER, LET YOU FORGET YOU'RE A MAN! CUZ I'M A WOMAN!" You get the idea right.

        I know women who paint and build houses, tie rebar for cement work, and have worked side by side with their husbands or other men, so that when the day is done, their hands are just as hard and calloused as his. One of my friends was married for a long time. Her husband would go to work and then come home. When it came to maintaining or repairing their cars, home or anything, he was technically challenged. They needed others to help them or pay someone to do the work. This became a burden financially. Do you know what they charge to repair or replace a garbage disposal? Or, what about taking your car to a mechanic for an oil change, only to find out there is a long list of things you need to have worked on! Are they telling the truth or, is it that they just want to make some type of corporate quota? Don't get mad! I'm not saying they don't deserve their pay or, that all of them are on the take. It's just that in certain circumstances you need to be cautious and if you have no money to pay for these services, then you need to find another way. So my friend took on the ominous task of learning. Anytime something broke down, she would get a book or call an expert and pick their brains. With trial and error, in time, she became the best "Jane of All Trades" that I have ever known! I have seen her sew beautiful delicate hair clips out of silk and the next day take her jigsaw out, cut through the side of a house, install a door, and build steps up to it! I thought to myself, this is as opposite as you can get! What a Handy-Woman!!

        Most anyone can read directions it's the following of them that make the difference. I guess if you're "technically challenged" it could be hard for you, but after all, many companies even provide pictures so you can follow their directions. Home-depot (our local hardware store) has put together "How To" books with pictures, the required tools & supplies, timetables and difficulty level for each task you wish to undertake. There are videos and Adult Ed classes that will help you learn the ins and outs of how "This Old House" works. We can learn so much from them. After all, General Contractors on these programs interview the many trades they have assisting them on the shows such as, electricians, plumbers, roofers and the like. But even with all these tools at our disposal, some are still challenged. They need the "Jack or Jane of All Trades" desperately. These are ones who have a talent and knack for learning. They provide a tremendous service to ones in need. Always willing to sharing their knowledge and are the "go to guys or gals" of the world. "Do what you love" I've always said. And they do. They get to work for themselves doing things that come natural. They become the knight in shinning armor to the "Grandmas" of the world. They put smiles on their many happy clients faces.

        I married a "Jack of All Trades", and he is a master of it. I haven't come across anything he has not been able to do. Except maybe give birth, but I am sure if there was a way, he would find it! He has never treated me with the "Neanderthal" reasoning or ever told me "that's woman's work". He is my partner in life in every sense of the word. He does not feel that he is above laundry, cooking, cleaning or anything like that. We are a great tag team in the house. I know I am very privileged to have him and thankful for each day with him.

        So, to all the "Jack and Jane Of All Trades", thanks for being the "go to" folks of the world. Good honest people need help some of the time and you have made an honorable profession out of it. As for everyone else, continue your quest for knowledge on how to help yourself and don't be afraid of the "directions", they're pretty easy to follow.