Why am I so anxious about tradesmen?

[rc22]

Currently have an electrician in the house doing a few jobs. Perfectly alright bloke. Chats a little but generally is just getting on with the job. I feel as anxious as hell and always do when tradesmen are in. He's been here an hour and the anxiety is going nowhere!! I think it's worse as the power is off so hard to find stuff to distract me while he works.

I’m the same OP.
Mine stems from years of poverty and bad luck in a house that always goes wrong. I’m terrified that the job they’re doing will go wrong somehow and I won’t be able to afford the extras or that it’ll be a massive disaster. I feel on edge and anxious the whole time they’re here. Hate it.

I think some anxiety is normal in this kind of situation. It's stressful having a strange bloke in the house (especially if, like me, you've watched far too many episodes of Rogue Trader ...). You feel obliged to 'keep an eye' on things without looking like an untrusting loon. You worry about the cost, what will he find, how bad is the problem?

Have you got a gas hob so you can at least you both a cup of tea?

I have a bit of a phobia about having strangers in the house . We are due some bedroom furniture next week and I'm already stressing about that. Tbh I'd prefer them to leave it at the door and for us to struggle to get it in but obviously I realise thats
not feasible.

@JamieLeeCurtains No we have an electric hob unfortunately. Made him a cuppa when he arrived.

@ShakerCan I think I have a fear that they will something really wrong that is somehow my fault. Totally irrational as we're definitely not diyers and never faff with electrics or plumbing or anything.

I'm like this. I hate disruption and can't relax when there are unknowns. I can't focus on anything properly, wondering what they've found wrong, because it's rarely straightforward! But then I'm an anxious sort of a person.

I’m the same I actually put off jobs as long as possible as I just hate the hassle. I can’t stand being asked questions I almost feel guilty or as if I need to justify my life choices. It’s ridiculous.

He's a bigger and stronger stranger you have to be alone with in your house whilst making friendly and polite chats. Anxiety is the normal response as your brain remains alert for any signs of danger.

It could he worse - we could be like cats and suddenly dart off with no warning. 🤷‍♀️

Yes I’m the same, even the window cleaner coming causes me anxiety..... don’t really know why🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes I’m the same, I never quite know what to do with myself even if I’ve got stuff I could be getting on with. Also same as PP, and I dread the window cleaning coming for some reason.

I hate it too. I feel strange and can't relax around anyone doing anything in the house. Our window cleaner is a strange one so I'm glad ds2 is wfh so his here when his outside (using my outside tap for fresh water! )
I hate making them tea and coffee as I bet it's inferior to their own posh coffee machine coffee and just out of a jar!
It feels an invasion of privacy even though it's really not and most of the builders we have had here have been great and just got on with their work.
(I feel a lot of it is ' just me' being on edge for no reason and more anxious! )

I'm the opposite - I tend to be too relaxed around them, in fact the last one tried talking me into joining his cult

Apparently you mustn't let him use the toilet.

I'm the same, I'm an anxious person generally, and my home is my 'safe' space. I hate having strangers in my house. It makes me feel uncomfortable/unsafe in my own home. I find it hard to settle for a while after they have gone too.
I try to organise with DH that he is here for tradesmen instead, as he doesn't have this worry. I hate being alone with tradesmen, even though everyone who has come to my house has been a perfect gentleman.

I was asked out by a tradesman once. Luckily my sons were around indoors and him and his team were cutting back some shrubs.
One minute he was telling me about his recent holiday ' with his child and his wife' the next it was ' do you fancy a drink one night ! ' 😕 just as he was leaving ..
No thanks. ( it was a while back , I doubt that will ever happen again though and I was so shocked!)
Never seen him or his company around since even though they had nice glossy leaflets and good reviews on Facebook.
(They did do a good job of the garden and gave me a discount!)
We hire other people now! Lol
If I'd been on my own I would have been a bit more scared but at the time I just thought ' what a nerve and his poor wife'
I bet he just tries it on with everyone as it's the kind of job where your going to meet lots of people of course.
The other people we've had doing jobs have been lovely and really polite and nice.