How much would "just buy me a drink" mean to you when you ask someone how much you owe them?

[ColdCottage]

I had a very lovely tradesman in today to look at my broken appliance. He couldn't fix it - well he could but it wouldn't be worth it due to the cost.

When I asked him what I owed him he said "just buy me a drink" I had no idea how much this should be.

He had been there 20 minutes I would guess, maybe 1/2h.

I was a bit surprised and had no idea how much this should be. I guessed 2 beers would be £10 so gave him that.

Wondered if I might have been a be short as he was a very lovely man and suggested some other brands for me to get the best value replacement.

So I thought I'd canvas opinions here so I'm more prepared for next time.

Thanks

This was my thought!

Isn't that Ko-fi thing you sometimes see online just the slightly more modern version of this? I've never used it myself (meanie, I know), so I've no idea if that's strictly set up to give the price of a hot drink and not a penny more or less (and do they mean one you make at home, afternoon tea at The Ivy or somewhere in between) or if you choose your own amount?

I love this post. I've read it 3 times and it just sounds like 'wah wah wah' in my head. I'm so old! 🤣

I'm in the literally never heard of this camp. I also can't imagine a situation where a random tradesman would say this, I'd probably have assumed he meant no need to worry about it and would have said thanks and shwn him out.

I’d buy them a 4-pack/6-pack of beer from the supermarket. That’s the currency we use in my part of Yorkshire!

Me too! My dad used to say it to people who he did small odd jobs for. With him it was just a phrase he used rather than saying he didn't want any money for what he'd done.
"What do I owe you?"
"Oh just buy me a drink"

I get that the ambiguity can be awkward, but I suppose that could also make it less awkward for either party, by leaving it open-ended. They don't know how well-off/generous/grateful you are for what they've done, so it enables you to give them a fiver or £20 or whatever.

Aside from actual financial means, some people are very appreciative of other people's time, efforts and willingness to fit them in, even if it ends up not solving the issue; whereas others will only fixate themselves on pure results and how the end result does or doesn't help them.

I've heard complaints before about 'robbing' electricians charging old folk £50 or whatever to change a lightbulb (often levelled by family who could easily have troubled themselves to go and do it for their old mum or dad themselves) - but if they're called out to a job of as-yet-unknown complexity, somewhere several miles away, maybe late at night and at the expense of their family time or other paying customers, why on earth would you expect them to be willing or able to work for free?

I can’t believe people don’t know this? Is it a generational thing?

It means “ it was too small a job to charge you and I’m not expecting anything unless you feel like it”.
So a tenners fine. £20 and he thinks you’re showing off your cash and he’ll stick an extra 10% on the quote next time you use him.

Common phrase here (London) with trades and used more widely when favours done by an 'expert' (friend or acquaintance) for free but they've donated time. I'd always give £20 but have sometimes given more when it's really helped me out of a bind and I know the real solution would cost a lot more.

Genuinely never heard of this. Why why why.

Just say ‘give me a tenner for a few pints’. It’s the whole ‘buy me’ part of it that’s strange - as if you’ll be there when the transaction takes place at the bar.

Urgh. Stuff like this makes me realise that I will never fit into society cos I just don’t get this shit.

To "give him a drink" around where I lives means a £10 note or a 4 pack of beer.

This makes me miss living in Cornwall. Paying people in tinnies!

Oh god.
This thread has made everything clearer.

I once had a guy round to quote for some garden work, he said it wasn't a big job and he could tack it on at the end of another job as he lived very close by. When I asked how much, he said 'just buy me a drink'

I went with another, far more expensive, gardener, as I felt so awkward that gardener one was trying to chat me up and was prepared to do work in return for a date, especially as he lived nearby and it could all get very awkward if it didn't work out.

I totally misunderstood and was totally flattering myself wasn't I?

I've never heard a tradesman say this either. Have had a few 'just give me £20' type of comments. Only ever had friends say 'just buy me a drink' - and it's meant literally. I've either given them their favourite tipple or paid next time we've gone out.

Dying that some people think it’s code for wanting to date them 🤣 £10-£50 depending on the job or what they’ve saved you. £20 safe bet.

Giving a drink to a tradie is code for £20.

No idea why they don't just say that. I have many tradie family members and this seems to be the standard.

Where do you buy your pints? I want to come to your pub!

So happy I've seen this thread as when I say it to people I know it's code for "dont worry about it" not "give me twenty quid"

£20

Why? Have you never bought someone a drink because they had gone out of their way or been a good friend?
The tradesman is saying he done you a favour that’s all. He knows you won’t see him in the pub.
He won’t care if you give him nothing but most people would feel bad if they didn’t give him something to show they appreciate his efforts ( and not charging).

It's a common saying but mainly amongst older people I think. I know what it means so wouldn't think he wanted a date but my mum still says it a lot and also refers to giving people like dustmen a Christmas box' which is also a money gift. I think 10 to 20 pounds is right.

Round here Just buy me a drink is £20 but the gardener story by @CurlsLDN has had me wheezing!

Very common thing to do but its between friends, trades don't do favours for total strangers, he spent 20mins on site, drove say 30 mins, so best part of an hour out of his day.

I think he was asking her out but in a very awkward way or OP has used him a few times before now.

I went with another, far more expensive, gardener, as I felt so awkward that gardener one was trying to chat me up and was prepared to do work in return for a date, especially as he lived nearby and it could all get very awkward if it didn't work out.

Oh no!!! 😂😂

TBF I have never heard of this either and would have thought the exact same as you!!

I had a similar visit today, appliance also broken, man was there literally 5 minutes. Charged me £40, should have been £60 apparently.