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Feeling very uncomfortable and almost violated after visit today by BT Engineer

718 replies

DontGoChasinWaterfalls · 25/03/2025 16:10

I need a sense check and to realise I'm not overreacting.
BT engineer came today to upgrade my service to fibre optic broadband. He was late first of all which could've been accepted if he acknowledged he was late and apologised. He stepped into my house with his work boots on and I asked if he would mind wearing shoe covers as I have grey carpets. I'd never ask workmen to take shoes off and I provide the blue shoe coverings. He huffed and said he has to go in and out my house. Immediately I felt uncomfortable but explained I have a small child who sits and crawls on the carpet. He reluctantly agreed.
He somehow managed to jam the lock on my porch door by trying to leave it on the latch. After 15 minutes I managed to release it. He then tells me he needs a colleague to come to do something outside with the plyons and phrased it as "if it's after 2pm they won't bother coming". He eventually starts work after 40 minutes after faffing and I go upstairs to do some work.
5 minutes later I hear a panicked call asking if he could use my bathroom. Before I could say anything he was half way up the stairs. I froze and he directed himself to the bathroom. He was in there for 20 minutes and I was now downstairs feeling quite upset. Eventually he comes downstairs and doesn't say anything. I went upstairs to survey the damage and it was horrendous to say the least. To make things worse he rooted through my wardrobe to find the toilet paper.
I feel disgusted and sick..but feel like I'm overreacting as I don't know if he was unwell or has a medical condition.
He's got to come back tomorrow and I don't want him here.
aibu to call OpenReach to request another engineer???

OP posts:
user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:24

Calliopespa · 31/03/2025 11:23

Ah sorry! It’s been a long thread! I’m not sure why I got that impression.

No need to apologise. I was referring to people I don't know who are here to do xyz.

Calliopespa · 31/03/2025 11:23

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:19

Where did I state I did this with guests?

Ah sorry! It’s been a long thread! I’m not sure why I got that impression.

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:22

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If it's been my attitude from the beginning how have I only just shown my true colours?

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:21

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user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:19

Calliopespa · 31/03/2025 11:19

But have you ever actually done that? I can’t imagine managing if it was a friend.

Where did I state I did this with guests?

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:19

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If it's been my attitude from the beginning how have I only just shown my true colours?

Calliopespa · 31/03/2025 11:19

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:16

Use the toilet.

If I was expecting them to be here longer I wouldn't use the sign, I'd just say you can't use it.

But have you ever actually done that? I can’t imagine managing if it was a friend.

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:18

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user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:16

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:14

But seriously. What would you do if someone did need to stay for longer? You can't guarantee your home will never need major work doing at some point

Use the toilet.

If I was expecting them to be here longer I wouldn't use the sign, I'd just say you can't use it.

Codlingmoths · 31/03/2025 11:15

I think it’s fine to ask for another one. This one was late, outside the window, then made it sound like your fault he couldn’t get someone extra because it was after 2pm, jammed your door, went into your bedroom cupboard, argued about shoe coverings…
why would you want him back?

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:14

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Perhaps. I don't care.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:14

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:12

They're not here that long.

But seriously. What would you do if someone did need to stay for longer? You can't guarantee your home will never need major work doing at some point

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:14

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:12

They're not here that long.

Not shit, Sherlock 😂😂😂😂 I'm sorry but you're making it too easy now.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:13

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:12

Are you asking for a friend? 😂😉 Only if you bring your laminator.

Of course 😂

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:12

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user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:12

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:10

Ok. So what then happens when you need the toilet? Do you hold it in all day or does the toilet suddenly fix itself for that time? If you do use the toilet, do you not flush so as not to alert the person working in your home? Or do you brazen it out?

They're not here that long.

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:12

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:08

Please can we go to the pub together. I think you would be great fun 😊

Are you asking for a friend? 😂😉 Only if you bring your laminator.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:10

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:08

It states the toilet is broken.

Ok. So what then happens when you need the toilet? Do you hold it in all day or does the toilet suddenly fix itself for that time? If you do use the toilet, do you not flush so as not to alert the person working in your home? Or do you brazen it out?

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:09

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Sure.

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:08

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 10:38

You didn't. You said YOU would stay at home. But as I said, most people simply cannot do this because of finances. Also most employers will not allow very regular sick days for IBS so people have to manage the best they can. And then they get told, no you cannot use my toilet, by people like yourself.

That's not my concern.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 11:08

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:04

Shit isn't it 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Please can we go to the pub together. I think you would be great fun 😊

user9632579 · 31/03/2025 11:08

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 31/03/2025 10:35

This is a whole new level of bonkers. Going on - you have my attention. What does the sign actually say? Is it laminated? Do you leave it there all the time or just when trades people visit?

It states the toilet is broken.

Calliopespa · 31/03/2025 11:06

MidnightMeltdown · 31/03/2025 11:00

Well if there’s no loo brush and not enough loo roll in the bathroom then that’s on OP. If I had someone coming to my house, whether it was a hairdresser, an engineer, a plumber, a nurse, or a friend, I would ensure that the bathroom is guest ready.

I agree with this.

I would much prefer a workman who was a stranger to me did not ask to use it, but if he asked politely ( not stormed up and into my bedroom to remove paper without asking) I would let them, and would have it ready. Just saves embarrassment. Imagine if he’d called out mid-dump.

MyJoyousBiscuit · 31/03/2025 11:04

Tandora · 30/03/2025 23:59

Fully agree. Theres been some awful behaviour on this thread.

Shit isn't it 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

MidnightMeltdown · 31/03/2025 11:00

BadlyDrawnRoy · 29/03/2025 19:44

Absolutely, treat others as you would wish to be treated. That includes not leaving the olfactory evidence of a really smelly shit, and a skidmatk the size of a Mars bar stuck on the inside of the bog. And don't rummage in someone else's cupboards 👍

Well if there’s no loo brush and not enough loo roll in the bathroom then that’s on OP. If I had someone coming to my house, whether it was a hairdresser, an engineer, a plumber, a nurse, or a friend, I would ensure that the bathroom is guest ready.