When a HVAC service pro named Bob arrived to do our furnace repair last week, he asked if I wanted him to change the air filter.
I thought that adjusting the air filters was already part of the normal repair and cleaning procedure.
When he said he could add air filter fluctuations to our service agreement; our 1st question was how much extra it would cost me? Bob told me it was a minimal amount, but it would save me needing to do it. I’m not sure what Bob was thinking, even though I felt insulted. I had been adjusting the air filters in the HVAC plan since I was about twelve. I had no brothers, and it was just our mother and I. If he wasn’t at the house and the air filter needed to be changed, I was elected. One of us had to do the task. I told him I could change our air filters, even though I enjoyed the offer. Bob told me that if I changed our mind, I should call the HVAC corporation and he would cheerfully come back to the house and change it for me. Now, I was thinking Bob was flirting, even though I could not be sure. When Bob said he would not want me hurting myself while adjusting the air filter, I bristled. I told Bob I was perfectly capable, but thanks for the offer, and showed him to the door. I wanted to tell Bob he didn’t need to return, and I would be okay with a different HVAC serviceman, even though I didn’t want to make Bob an enemy. It’s just that if I ever saw Bob again, it would be too soon.