A mover taught me how to move a box
September 1st is the notorious move-in day of Boston. All leases turn over, and the city succumbs to chaos. I was helping three of my friends move in to their new apartment- three flights up. One of my friend is a government employee who hired movers ("I'm in my thirties, I'll just hire people, Damie,") . Taking a break from helping my other two friends move, I watched the three professionals move a truckload of boxes. Holy shit, they were efficient!
They were done pretty fast. Out of curiosity, I asked if there was a technique. It sounded like a seriously stupid question. I literally cringed when I asked it. There's really one way of moving stuff. You pick up item and carry it in. I was surprised when he told me there is a technique to efficient moving.
He told me that he helped move people in different areas of the United States. Many old buildings in Boston have the winding staircases that make navigating with boxes difficult. So he picked up an empty box, and put his hands on the opposite corners of the box, and rested it more near his hip. He then showed me the motion of going around the staircase. The movers also like to do a "relay" technique. So one mover would bring it up partway through the stairs, and then the other mover would take it to the next mover. The key is that by holding the box by the opposite corners, the other mover can then easily receive the box - aha, optimizing handing over!
So he showed me how to pass it off and receive the box. We did it for a few times. It's a bit tricky actually, because he is a very tall man and I'm 5'3. I thanked him for showing me this technique. He had a lot more moving to do so I was thankful for his time.
So I guess the moral of the story is that there's a technique to everything. Also hire movers when you're in your 30's. Except I guess I help my friends move because I love me some pizza.