To think most people offer a brew as soon as visitors arrive

In our house, we call it the 'kettle of summoning' because it's on as soon as you might reasonably be expected to arrive. That goes for everyone from invited guests to tradespeople coming to do a five-minute job.

My adult dc don't drink tea either (and only the occasional coffee for 2 of them, 1 only drinks water) BUT they would still offer drinks as soon as people are seated in their houses (or cross the threshold if tradesmen).

It's 'etiquette' isn't it?

My Indian friend has tea made along with little snacks before my bum has hit the chair/!

Where are you from that people don't offer anything to guests?

Nothing worse than being gasping for a cuppa and not being offered! Or, as my mum would say ‘spitting feathers’

Kettle is on as soon as I hear the car pull up, before I open the door, if it's expected visitors.
Tradies get a bit of chat and then offered a brew. Some take one, others don't. They all take cake/biscuits though!!!
I go to various schools as a peri adviser. Before the pandemic every school offered a brew. Now, it's a rare occurrence.

Yes, I would offer pretty much as soon as you are seated. Workmen, as they take their boots off, they get offered tea or coffee.
Friends, tea, coffee, wine or gin, depending on time / day of the week. Brandy, if they’ve had a shock and need to tell me about it.

We don’t eat a lot of biscuits but there will usually be some individually wrapped chocolate ones, just about in date, that I can pull out as needed.

@Tilly1234566 I don't mean to be rude but your hosting would make me feel very unwelcome! Water if it's hot...like I'm a dog or a horse 😕 I keep all sorts of things in for family and friends if I know they like certain things, even if I don't touch them, even down to specific brands (plural) of sweetener.

Yes I offer as soon as someone sits down. If they say no, I make it anyway or give them water. I find it very strange having a chat at an empty table.

And yes tea/coffee and biscuits to tradespeople too - I make it for them in the morning and afternoon and tell them where the kettle is if they'd like to make more during the day,

I remember a painter telling me he was at a house and 'they were so odd they didn't even offer him a cup of tea', so they definitely expect it and note when not given.

I sometimes forget because I’m eg too busy chatting/ moving stuff about to let them sit down etc! Embarrassing when you remember or someone else offers!!

Also, people saying they don’t drink hot drinks so wouldn’t offer one to a guest - what an odd way of approaching hospitality!

My mother in law doesn’t drink coffee but she knows I do so she always has some in. I do the same thing. It’s hosting 101 surely?!

I will always offer something in the first 10/15 minutes whether it’s tea, or wine/gin etc depending on the occasion. Food always put out too. Either chocolate/biscuits/ fruit/ nibbles depending on the occasion.

id find it so odd to be in someone’s house longer than 15 minutes and not be offered a drink of some description. Don’t think it’s ever happened to me though.

I would just get a drink!

I offer water or a cold drink if it’s hot in the summer, but I don’t drink hot drinks except
for my morning coffee and I never eat biscuits and don’t think I have ever bought a pack of biscuits in my life. Maybe good for the tradesmen
it to eat biscuits for a few days ☺️

Could that be because you don't really drink it?

Minute you cross the threshold in my house - kettle is on or before if I’m expecting you

Before you have your coat off and bum in a seat you’ll have a cupa in your hand - it’s the British way surely????

I do look after guests. If they are invited for a meal of course. I don’t offer tea if they have popped into see me no. My in laws are British and have never made tea or coffee for us when we pop in either.

The kettle is put on here as soon as people get settled and tea offered/a pot of coffee on in the percolator.
Unless it's after 7pm on a Friday in which case its a glass of wine.

I'd be interested to know whereabouts you're from, that looking after guests isn't a thing?

I don't really drink alcohol but I still offer it if I have evening guests.

You are seeing family - just ask if you want something!!

Make yourself a drink or get DH if you're not comfortable

Tradesmen are fuelled by tea and biscuits. I wouldn't dream of not offering tea or coffee to someone working on my house.

Never - I don't drink tea, coffee or milk and nobody likes my Green Tea so I don't bother. Told the decorator last week he was welcome to use my kettle but I don't have anything else in the cupboard so bring his own.
My friend has a small kit she brings here. I don't eat biscuits either. 😁

I'm Irish.

The kettle will be on before you've even knocked at the door 🤣☘

Do you not know them well enough to just pop the kettle on in their house?

I am not British so maybe I don’t count, but I don’t really drink tea and eat biscuits so no I don’t offer anything usually. I tend to not drink anything but water between meals so would not cross my mind to be honest. I didn’t known I was supposed to make tea for Tradesmen in my house either.