Do you make a drink for anyone who comes to do a job in your house?

[batmanladybird]

Eg window cleaner
Cleaner
Person servicing the boiler
Plumber
Etc

Not all of them no. Not the boiler service person, usually here only 20-30 minutes. Not the window cleaners, they don't come inside the house and are here maybe 10 minutes tops.

It would need to be someone who will spend at least I guess an hour doing something, otherwise it doesn't even cross my mind. Yesterday three guys from a roofing company popped in for maybe 7-10 minutes to look at wet patch on our ceiling, didn't even occur to me to offer them a drink.

I am not British, and I am now also thinking I am probably perceived as quite rude. I need to do better.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Thank you for the reference pictures of what's expected. Now I shall pop down to Waitrose and purchase an acceptable spread so I am ready for the bin men tomorrow morning.

Always!

Usually yes, although not always the boiler engineer because the layout of my (tiny) kitchen means I would be in his way while making the cuppa.

And not the window cleaner as he only does the front windows outside and is usually gone within minutes.

Anyone who stays longer to do work, yes.

Always. And if it's a lengthy job, ive made them breakfast and lunch too.

Yes, it’s a matter of routine for me. When we were farming I would take flasks of drinks and homemade cakes to the agricultural contractors doing the combining, ploughing, etc too. It was always much appreciated too!

Not the man who cuts our lawn. He doesn't have hands free and is in and out in 15 minutes.

Yes, and for my window cleaner too..... but he is an old friend, so we chat, and he is here for at least 1 hour, usually longer.

Just had major building works, so at least 2 men here for three weeks. Some days three or four. Some days I ran out of mugs, coffee, tea, biscuits and milk. I even went out to the local shop to get more for them. What a lovely householder I am .

Yea sometimes we pour them a brew out of the pot if there's one on the go and they want one.

If I’m doing one for myself I offer, if I’m going out for hours I leave stuff out and tell them to sort themselves out.

Most of the younger ones don't actually want one, especially with covid. I think it's a generational thing.

If there’s a few I’d make one first thing then say help yourself- then they don’t accidently use any favourite mugs. The just reuse their allocated one

If they are polite, yes but if they are rude or do not listen to instructions (recent plasterers sub contracted by builder) absolutely not.

Yes always & biscuits, toast, snacks! If they are here all day I'll offer them whatever I'm having through the day

yup. the whippersnappers usually turn down a brew but will accept a can of PepsiMax. Biscuit tin is offered as well.

I do yes, and biscuits / cake.

Yes always, my partner works in a job like this inside and outside the home. He can be working on someone’s house all day in the rain/cold all day and not be offered. I have offered the postman a cold drink when it was very hot.

Not for jobs less than a days work e.g. a few hours.

I only drink herbal tea so when I had my bathroom done I did buy milk and buckets for them to have normal tea and some snacks as they were here for a few days.

But I didnf do lunch or proper food cos honestly bring your own lunch. Plus I do intermittent fasting, eat in the evening only and I only have enough food for me.

Offer a drink when they arrive for anyone who'll be here for an hour or so.

For anyone staying longer, they're offered one on arrival, then I say you're welcome to help yourself to more.

I don't believe in nannying people paid to do a job - especially as it seems to be especially expected for male dominated professions.

Yes, and if they're there all day I'll make multiple. If I'm going out I show them where the tea/coffee stuff is and tell them to help themselves. I don't think it's a male professions thing. My husband would also offer/make drinks, and I'd offer equally if the person in question was female like the two ladies who tiled our kitchen.

Yes. Everyone. Even the chap who comes to empty our septic tank. He doesn’t get offers of drinks very often apparently.

No but I know I should.

Yes, I have a drink with our cleaner while she's here too. When we had builders in I just let them use the kitchen if they wanted something.

Window cleaner may be a bit weird as they aren't there long, and I haven't got one, but otherwise yes.

Always offer a brew.

Rude not to.

Always offer, and our floor fitters came on a really hot day so had pints of squash. Don't usually have biscuits though as I can't be trusted with them