It is necessary to explain a bit of our teaching method right here. All tuck pointing is done from right to left and from the bottom up. The reason it is done from right to left is because right-handed people pull the mortar into itself with the arm motion used.

We all go back to work and after about an hour wander back to see what kind of progress Bull was making. Well, to say the least, it wasn't pretty.

As kindly as possible, we asked Bull to go do something else, while we cleaned up his work. I tell the lead to give him another day at it to see if he improves. The next day goes by and the work doesn't look any better. I meet with the lead and discuss it. We like Bull and are going to give him another day to show any aptitude at all for tuck pointing. It is a skill that takes quite a while too become proficient at, but a basic aptitude for the skill set involved is usually evident right away.

On the third day the lead and I meet to talk it over as we are sure that Bull has not any aptitude for this at all, in fact we are beginning to question his coordination completely. He had informed us that back in the day he had been a somewhat accomplished athlete. We were beginning to doubt that to. We asked Bull to quit what he was doing and come over and talk to us. We were going to keep him, but keep him in the hod carrying and clean up role.

We told him of our decision and he looked dejected, and with a look of despair said:

"I know you showed me how to do this and I have tried my best, but guys, the problem is- I'm left handed."

Well, that about sent us into hysterics-- all this time we just thought he was a spaz. We were laughing so hard the customer had to come out and find out if everybody was alright. We had showed him how to do it right-handed and so he thought that was the only way that it could be done.