That's a good point about the stories you hear. My route has a few regulars who chat, and it does make the time pass differently. It feels more like being part of the neighborhood.

Agree with the feeling, but @sarahpatel, I find fixing a mechanical rangefinder is even more pure. It's all about aligning tiny mirrors and prisms by hand, no electronics at all. That feeling when the patch snaps into focus is unmatched in my experience.

While you say extra measuring cuts waste, I find it often costs more in time than it saves. Labor hours add up quickly, and clients notice when a job takes too long. In real world jobs, uneven walls make perfect measurements impossible anyway. Keeping a few spare pieces is better for quick fixes later. So, a bit of leftover material isn't always a bad thing.

Does that happen to you a lot? It's so annoying when random people try to act like experts on your work. They never see the whole picture or know what they're talking about. Did you end up saying anything to him?

Yeah, happens more than people admit. That sudden change really catches you off guard.