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Original poster

Roofers using bad language

110 replies

27Maisie27 · 10/03/2025 12:17

I feel like I’m being silly but I’ve just been in the garden, hanging out washing and the two roofers, working on a neighbour’s house, are talking to each other loudly, using the words fuck, cunt, wanker, areshole, bollocks etc

They are working for the council - if I report them, will I be identified and face repercussions? Or shall I ignore it, it’s only for a few days?

I live in a quiet area with several elderly residents and people with young children, and I am finding it offensive, and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s a lovely day here (north west) and I am reluctant to spend any time outside because of this.

Christ, I sound like a wet lettuce!

OP posts:
godmum56 · 10/03/2025 13:05

If it bothered me, I would go and ask them to tone down the language. Depending on their response I would escalate or not.

Ellie1015 · 10/03/2025 13:04

I wouldn't report it. The elderly will be fine and young children have to be taught the words not to say at some stage.

Soontobe60 · 10/03/2025 13:04

gannett · 10/03/2025 12:22

Honestly don't get the leap in mindset from "rolling your eyes at the bad language" to "REPORT TO THE COUNCIL AND GET THEM SACKED". A bit of swearing just doesn't matter that much. Don't fuck with people's livelihoods.

I know this site hates the "Karen" epithet but that impulse to report every little thing you disapprove of to the authority and to see people disciplined for minor things is exactly why it was popularised.

How would you feel if the teachers in school spoke like this whilst in the playground?

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 10/03/2025 13:03

Just ask them to tone down their 'fruity' language nicely. Done it on numerous occasions, as I worked on sites and if you ask nicely 99% of the time they'll respond positively.

StillLifeWithEggs · 10/03/2025 13:01

YouMustBeTheWeasleys · 10/03/2025 12:50

With respect OP, you are being a bit pathetic

Yes, go and talk to them, OP. Tell them there’s a gaggle of weeping OAPs and puzzled small children sitting below them on the lawn as they throw around roof tiles and ‘bollockses’.

Rather than creating imaginary scenarios where the local under-tens have their vocabulary expanded, tell them you’d like them to stop.

Westfacing · 10/03/2025 13:00

I wouldn't report them but would have no hesitation in calling out 'Hey guys, mind yer language there are young children here!'

I think most men would desist.

ClearFruit · 10/03/2025 12:58

27Maisie27 · 10/03/2025 12:17

I feel like I’m being silly but I’ve just been in the garden, hanging out washing and the two roofers, working on a neighbour’s house, are talking to each other loudly, using the words fuck, cunt, wanker, areshole, bollocks etc

They are working for the council - if I report them, will I be identified and face repercussions? Or shall I ignore it, it’s only for a few days?

I live in a quiet area with several elderly residents and people with young children, and I am finding it offensive, and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s a lovely day here (north west) and I am reluctant to spend any time outside because of this.

Christ, I sound like a wet lettuce!

Jesus, you DO sound like a wet lettuce. Have you never heard anyone swear before? Unclench, and go about your day.

pinkdelight · 10/03/2025 12:58

I do think you're being a bit silly and can suck it up. It's only words and it's not exactly sunbathing weather so I'm sure you'll cope with not being in the garden all day if you truly can't cope or wear headphones or whatever. You don't have to take on the offence for all the neighbourhood, they can manage that themselves and may be more tolerant than you are even if they are older or younger. Honestly if I were a roofer, I might well end up swearing more to get through the day.

CornedBeef451 · 10/03/2025 12:56

I'd talk directly to them but if they looked dodgy I'd report them.

I did complain to the council once about staff at the tip as they were swearing and shouting across the cars at each other.

Oddly our roofer described himself as looking like a meth head which made me laugh, I thought they looked like pirates.

According to them it's scaffolders who are the worst, the pirate roofers were lovely.

TotallyForgettableForNow · 10/03/2025 12:53

You should have heard the teenagers smoking weed down the road from me at 11pm last night....bet they would have made the roofers blush!
Leave them to it, they are only words after all.

YouMustBeTheWeasleys · 10/03/2025 12:50

With respect OP, you are being a bit pathetic

MyUmberSeal · 10/03/2025 12:50

Don’t report. Bad language is the only way to get through a work day sometimes 😂. Me and my colleagues are swearing in solidarity with them now. Leave them be.

Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink · 10/03/2025 12:50

I fuking love swearing. So nah don’t be twat.

Bubblesgun · 10/03/2025 12:48

27Maisie27 · 10/03/2025 12:17

I feel like I’m being silly but I’ve just been in the garden, hanging out washing and the two roofers, working on a neighbour’s house, are talking to each other loudly, using the words fuck, cunt, wanker, areshole, bollocks etc

They are working for the council - if I report them, will I be identified and face repercussions? Or shall I ignore it, it’s only for a few days?

I live in a quiet area with several elderly residents and people with young children, and I am finding it offensive, and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s a lovely day here (north west) and I am reluctant to spend any time outside because of this.

Christ, I sound like a wet lettuce!

Really???? You are asking if you should report???

yes i think you should report and create a militia to police everyone’s language…

if you are so offended you can ask them POLITELY to tune it down, but report… are you the queen of Sheba????

TianasBayou · 10/03/2025 12:44

Report to the council. If they are contractors their company will deal with it.

Brefugee · 10/03/2025 12:44

Nameftgigb · 10/03/2025 12:31

Please don’t report them. Just go and have a word. Just lie and say you’ve got a small child who has picked up a bit of their colourful language so could they please be careful what they say, if they carry on THEN report them

don't lie. Just tell them that their language is too colourful and you'd like them to stop it.

Brefugee · 10/03/2025 12:43

speak to them first. And depending on the outcome, report them to the council if you think they warrant potentially losing their jobs

But speak to them (even if you have to shout up at them) first

SnoozingFox · 10/03/2025 12:43

I also think there are lots of people who genuinely don't realise they are swearing second word..

Do you want a fucking cup of tea?
Yes but not in the fucking red mug, find the fucking black one instead. And if there's no fucking milk you'll have to fuck off to the fucking shops and get some fucking biscuits while you're there.

AnEagerSleeper · 10/03/2025 12:40

Stop being such a controlling person. How do you handle when it rains do you ring up God. Think of it as similar. By the way it is absolutely okay for you to find the language offensive, plenty do but one of the options you have is instead of trying to control other people doing an honest hard days work is take yourself out of ear shot.

Nameftgigb · 10/03/2025 12:39

TY78910 · 10/03/2025 12:33

Just look up and say 'hey, is it ok if you tone down the swearing a little, thanks!' Job done. They probably just aren't that aware of their surroundings but there are other hills to die on

This. I don’t get why people are suggesting shouting aggressively at them or reporting them to their employer. They’re just talking. Not everything has to be a confrontation

Coffeeishot · 10/03/2025 12:38

I love "Please disist immediately" op try that😂

Coffeeishot · 10/03/2025 12:36

TY78910 · 10/03/2025 12:33

Just look up and say 'hey, is it ok if you tone down the swearing a little, thanks!' Job done. They probably just aren't that aware of their surroundings but there are other hills to die on

Just do this if it's bothering you , worst that will happen is sorry Mrs !

SnoozingFox · 10/03/2025 12:36

One of the only positives about my dad's dementia was that he totally lost any embarrassment about calling out bad behaviour from others. When there were people working on the roof next door and using similar colourful language he put on his best ex-schoolteacher voice and said loudly "YOUNG MAN. I do not expect to be subjected to your swearing and bad language while I am quietly enjoying my garden. Please desist IMMEDIATELY".

And they did! With lots of teenage shuffling and "sorry mister" comments.

Wishyouwerehere50 · 10/03/2025 12:34

Just leave it OP.

It is just best for you to ignore this battle. Leave them to it. It's a few days. Just breathe through it.

TY78910 · 10/03/2025 12:33

Just look up and say 'hey, is it ok if you tone down the swearing a little, thanks!' Job done. They probably just aren't that aware of their surroundings but there are other hills to die on

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