AIBU to feel uncomfortable after builder helped himself to fridge drinks?

I think it's a lovely thing to provide hospitality for those working in your home OP! I would either leave out a coolbox with a note, or say to the foreman something like "I noticed a few drinks were taken out of the fridge so I've added a few extra for the week to the coolbox. I hope that works for your team, it's all I've budgeted for in this week's grocery bill". Then if any further get taken out of the fridge a firmer word "if we could please stick to the coolbox instead of the fridge I'd appreciate it. Let me know if you'd like a different type of soda." To soften it. Good tradies are hard to find and you don't want to piss off the people working in your home either.

You've been generous enough already. It's really cheeky of him.going into the fridge and helping himself. He's an adult, surely he can bring his own drinks.

Or we have been very generous already
providing pop, tea and coffee plus snacks.
If you need anything extra buy or bring your own! Please stay out of our fridge!

He's a cheeky so-and-so. You're giving them plenty of cold drinks (I think some people on here genuinely have comprehension problems).
I'd say something politely to the gaffer and let him decide how to approach the guy.

Why do you “ look after them” though?
Obviously everyone can do as they please, and I understand that culturally it might be the “done thing”, but why single out tradespeople.
Why are they seen as in need of refreshments and somehow incapable of procuring them like everyone else?

The camera cost way more than a few cans of pop 😂

Let it go, life is short

really? I have always done this for any tradesperson who comes to my home. I live alone and find it really stressful having people to do work but I thought it was the polite thing to do. Should I not do it in the future?

Maybe go with. 'I saw apprentice take a couple of drinks out the fridge yesterday, no problem, but so we dont run short can you let me know what he likes and I can buy a few extras for him'

I usually offer tea and coffee but to be honest it’s ok not to, given that a plumber charges £400 a day minimum. They can afford drinks!

Absolutely ridiculous the amount of free stuff you're giving these guys, no wonder they think they can raid your fridge as and when they please!

Ice buckets with fizzy drinks, ice pops, bacon sandwiches?? What are you, a catering company?!

Builders need to do their job and bring their own fucking food and drink like everyone else!

I have always looked after trades people when they come to work in my home. It’s what you do.

I would have a cool box made up with what you’re happy for the builders to have and tell them that’s all you are providing. Nothing from the fridge. Say it in front of the boss too.

It is so hot at the moment, I would forgive a can of pop.

Could you nicely set boundaries when they’re all together
“We’re happy to provide refreshments, but having stocks taken from the fridge without warning has caused issues. If you need something extra please could you let us know.”

I'd get a next day delivery sticker off amazon 'smile you're on cctv' and wack it on the fridge. Or place the camera somewhere obvious so they see it. Would be interesting to see if they turn around and walk away once they realise you can see, or would they carry on because they genuinely think its ok to help themselves? If they walked away that would be enough for me to confirm they know they are doing wrong

No way I’d be bothered to cater for builders apart from tea and biscuits. Why can’t they bring a sandwich you’re not a restaurant? Helping themselves from your fridge is just taking the piss coz they can.

I do think it's cheeky to take stuff from the fridge, personally I would let it go due to the shortage of trades in case they didn't come back, but agree it's a bit rude.

At the same time, I also find the idea of indoor cameras a bit weird and not sure if that's ok especially if people are working.

Seriously?? Or maybe they should just talk to them about it surely. A note on the fridge seems ridiculous. They are grown up adults, have the conversation.

This. They are being paid
Builder sounds like a cheeky entitled prick

If it was just a couple pf cans of pop I’d put up with it for a good building job. That’s worth gold . It’s a bit annoying but alot less than falling out with a good builder

That is cheeky, but I'd probably let it go if it is just drinks. The cool box is a good idea.

So now OP can't use her fridge as she wishes to but has to think about the builders just going to her fridge without her permission and stealing from it!!!

Posters on here get weirder by the day

@Furrypaws18
Where I live, hot Mediterranean country, people don’t provide tradespeople with food or drinks generally.
When we had work done in the summer they drank water either from the kitchen tap or from the hosepipe or tap in the garden.
They stopped for lunch, went to eat a proper meal in a restaurant, and then came back to work.
Why would you think that they are somehow incapable of sourcing enough food and drink for themselves?
They are doing a job, not a bunch of mates giving a hand to do diy at the weekend!

It's a violation. If they need extra because of hot weather, they should ask. Put a sign on the fridge saying this is NOT for their use and they should ask you if they require anything extra. Hopefully, that will stop the problem without escalation. My trusted contractors bring their own lunches and their own flasks and usually refuse when we offer them tea/coffee/biscuits. And that's all we offer normally - although in this weather would also offer endless water (not pop) and lollies.

My experience is that workmen are happy with a mug of tea and if they are lucky, some biscuits.

Buying pop (disgusting sugary stuff anyway) isn't really necessary- water from the tap is fine.