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Original poster

Well this is a bit embarrassing.

175 replies

SpiderCharlotte · 25/10/2019 12:14

We have a very lovely cleaner who comes for a couple of hours every Friday morning. I absolutely love her and usually leave her biscuits/cake by the kettle as I'm always out when she's here.

I've just got home to find that the bottle of Champagne that I was talking to my friends 40th tomorrow has gone and there's a lovely wee note thanking me for the champers. It was on the kitchen table in a gift bag and there was a birthday card next to it. I can't ask for it back, she'd be so embarrassed - I'm going to have to fork out for more Champers aren't I? Halloween Grin

OP posts:
bobstersmum · 25/10/2019 13:18

It will be so embarrassing for her if you tell her so I would let her keep it.

SoupDragon · 25/10/2019 13:18

She can't pretend to have put it away as she left a note. The OP can't pretend not to have seen it and the cleaner can't pretend not to have written it.

BillHadersNewWife · 25/10/2019 13:18

Of course OP can't ask for it back! Some people on here have NO class.

The cleaner would be devastated and she's probably drunk it already!

OP say nothing!

MinTheMinx · 25/10/2019 13:19

Oh dear! That is embarrassing! What is she going to expect her for her birthday now if she sees champagne as a 'just because' gift?

Also, what does it say about her cleaning skills if she really didn't notice the card?

Thatagain · 25/10/2019 13:19

I would just ask. (Did you see the bottle of champagne I think I missed placed it) I would also say to her that she can have it. I think you do need to ask as some people like to take the pi $$ as she has. Ie if you always leave cake or biscuits out for her why would she think the champagne is hers. Or did you forget her custard creams!

ZenNudist · 25/10/2019 13:21

Is it Aldi champagne? Id text her. Tell her its a present for a friend. If she says shes drunk it call it her early Christmas present. Provided its not too expensive.

CoolCarrie · 25/10/2019 13:21

Let here keep , say nothing about it, and buy another bottle, sounds like she needs a treat for her birthday

BrendasUmbrella · 25/10/2019 13:22

You sound lovely OP. At least you know now that anything left by the kettle will be assumed to be hers Grin She sounds like my cat in human form...

Jambo1 · 25/10/2019 13:24

Buy another bottle for your friend and let the cleaner enjoy it. Don't say anything, that would be awful and embarrassing for you both.

MangoSalsa · 25/10/2019 13:25

This is one of those things you just have to chalk up to “you live and learn”.

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 25/10/2019 13:25

This is not on.

Unless there was a note telling her to take it, why would she? A bottle of champers for what exactly? It’s very different to cake and biscuits by the kettle

Yes I’d be texting and asking for it back, the cheeky cow.....

PlasticPatty · 25/10/2019 13:26

I know technically you should call her and explain but presumably you're British so you can't

Exactly! Of course she can't! The embarrassment. Everyone would be embarrassed. I'm embarrassed now, just thinking of it.

pemberlyshades · 25/10/2019 13:26

The cleaner would be devastated and she's probably drunk it already!

Woah that's some speedy work early on a Friday if she's polished the bottle already! Grin

DarlingNikita · 25/10/2019 13:26

The thought of her possibly quaffing champagne this evening with her feet up is no bad thing really.

No, indeed. I wouldn't ask for it back, on this basis.

I have to say though, it's a bit odd if she saw the bottle and the card but ignored the latter while assuming the former was hers, even though there was no note or card for her. And odd too if she DID see the card, saw it wasn't her name, put it back and took the bottle…

Justaboy · 25/10/2019 13:29

I absolutely love her and usually leave her biscuits/cake by the kettle as I'm always out when she's here

She probally loves YOU more now!

Never mind its good staff relations and you'll have a very good joke to tell of what happened at your friends 40th!

MintyMabel · 25/10/2019 13:32

Thereby making it clear it was not for her/possibly bit cheeky, and sorting out Christmas early

Awful suggestion. If it was a genuine error as the OP seems to think, it will still make the cleaner feel like complete crap.

Chalk it up to experience.

Beautiful3 · 25/10/2019 13:32

I would just say im sorry but that was a gift intended for x! I wouldnt let it go, as it will set a precedent.

ShirleyPhallus · 25/10/2019 13:33

I’d be really careful about leaving stuff next to the kettle in the future. Today, it’s champagne. Next week it’s all your mugs. The week after it will be your toaster gone.

tanstaafl · 25/10/2019 13:36

Move house.

NoSquirrels · 25/10/2019 13:39

Awful suggestion. If it was a genuine error as the OP seems to think, it will still make the cleaner feel like complete crap.
Good gravy, Minty, I don't think it was "awful"! At the point I posted the OP hadn't clarified that she was sure it was not cheeky. We cross-posted about her being convinced it was not deliberate.

Kokeshi123 · 25/10/2019 13:41

Does she have form for being a CF? If not, I would probably let this go. If she does have form... I think I would let HER go.

catanddogmake6 · 25/10/2019 13:42

If she is as lovely as you say, you will probably find it’s her birthday or some other special occasion and because she’s focused on that she saw the champagne and assumed your friend had told you and you were just being your usual generous self.

CampfireZen · 25/10/2019 13:42

25th October is UK National Cleaner Appreciation Day.

Surely everyone knows that?

She was chuffed to bits that her lovely employer, who already has the decency to leave her nice cake/biscuits every week, values her highly enough to mark the occasion with a celebratory bottle.

Original poster
SpiderCharlotte · 25/10/2019 13:43

Is it Aldi champagne?

No, it was a bottle of Tattinger. 🤣

OP posts:
Skap · 25/10/2019 13:48

she's quite elderly now and after losing her husband a couple of years ago, I think she gets a bit lonely at night sometimes

How old do you class as elderly? She can't be what I would term elderly or she wouldn't be working as a cleaner.
Nevertheless please don't tell her. I have images of her sobbing with shame and embarrassment. It would be one of those things you never forget. Also she would probably quit and lose the money you pay her.