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Original poster

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

166 replies

ColdCottage · 05/09/2022 16:59

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

OP posts:
WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 05/09/2022 22:35

”A drink” here is code for £20

If a Cockney plumber says "Buy me a pony", does that mean he's expecting £25?!

Pleasecouldihavesomeadvice · 05/09/2022 22:38

I would have taken this to mean, you both go to the pub together and you literally buy him a drink/ date scenario

Rutland2022 · 05/09/2022 22:41

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 05/09/2022 22:35

”A drink” here is code for £20

If a Cockney plumber says "Buy me a pony", does that mean he's expecting £25?!

I’ve no idea, I live in rural Rutland but a drink is what everyone says when they want £20 for a favour.
Cockney slang is a bit out of my sphere of reference. In my circles “Buy me a pony” would get you a 12.2hh section A 😂

FacebookPhotos · 05/09/2022 22:47

When I’ve had tradespeople doing small jobs, they literally say a nominal amount “call it a tenner” or “just twenty quid call out charge”. A friend would say “just buy me a drink” and mean it. If a random tradesperson said “just buy me a drink” I’d laugh and say I’d rather just pay (unless I actually wanted a date). I’m in NW England.

TotalBlamBlam · 05/09/2022 22:47

I've heard this lots of times (south east) and would think nowadays £20 sounds about right.

StormzyinaTCup · 05/09/2022 22:48

Why not just say “Oh, £20?” And then everyone knows where they stand.

this

I have said this in a social setting eg. If a friend wanted to reimburse me for my petrol for a short trip in the car then I'd say 'don't worry just buy me a drink when we are next out'

I am in the SE, over 40 and never had a tradesmen say that to me, I'd actually be properly flummoxed.

YesitsBess · 05/09/2022 22:50

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 05/09/2022 22:35

”A drink” here is code for £20

If a Cockney plumber says "Buy me a pony", does that mean he's expecting £25?!

Yes, my family are from Walthamstow and for a small favour it’s a Falabella, if they had to drive more than ten minutes a Shetland, if you don’t supply very dark milky tea with two sugars, that’s the full 12 hand Polo jobby.

YesitsBess · 05/09/2022 22:52

And it’s “bung us a pony” 😊

MichaelAndEagle · 05/09/2022 22:52

FacebookPhotos · 05/09/2022 22:47

When I’ve had tradespeople doing small jobs, they literally say a nominal amount “call it a tenner” or “just twenty quid call out charge”. A friend would say “just buy me a drink” and mean it. If a random tradesperson said “just buy me a drink” I’d laugh and say I’d rather just pay (unless I actually wanted a date). I’m in NW England.

Same.
Imagining handsome electrician looking bemused when I say 'OK, say Friday at 8?'

ijustcouldntthinkofausername · 05/09/2022 22:56

I've often said 'just buy me a drink' when I've done odd jobs. For me I'd be happy with a £6 bottle of Merlot so I think £10 is fine he will be able to pop to Spar and get him a fair few cans with that OP ☺️

RichardMarxisinnocent · 05/09/2022 23:00

Mosso · 05/09/2022 21:37

It's £20. Everyone here would know that

You and many others have said £20, yet someone else on hear said the tradesman wouldn't actually be expecting payment at all. I'm now confused about which is correct.

ijustcouldntthinkofausername · 05/09/2022 23:00

Doing a foreigner is when a tradesman does a job generally on his day or weekend off.
My DH is in construction currently working on a big job mon-Fri and he will pick up the odd Saturday as a 'foreigner' where he does a friend of a friends job to help them out.
Pretty much as it says it on the tin doing a 'foreigner' is different to your own (normal job)

YesitsBess · 05/09/2022 23:02

RichardMarxisinnocent · 05/09/2022 23:00

You and many others have said £20, yet someone else on hear said the tradesman wouldn't actually be expecting payment at all. I'm now confused about which is correct.

Show quote history

I’d go with the majority?

youcantry · 05/09/2022 23:04

Tradesperson says 'just giz a drink' - £20 standard at the moment (London) - likely to be more next year though. I'm glad I knew this before I had my own house so I wasn't ever flummoxed.

00100001 · 05/09/2022 23:11

gratefulheart · 05/09/2022 17:02

To me that means he's asking you on a date!!

It definitely isn't!

£20

Nagado · 05/09/2022 23:11

RichardMarxisinnocent · 05/09/2022 23:00

You and many others have said £20, yet someone else on hear said the tradesman wouldn't actually be expecting payment at all. I'm now confused about which is correct.

Show quote history

The £20 is correct.

mondaytosunday · 05/09/2022 23:13

It's a common thing - it means £20. It certainly does NOT mean he is asking you out!

CrapBucket · 05/09/2022 23:15

I'm in the Midlands, I'm sure its not a thing here. A friend would say they owe me a drink/I owe them a drink but definitely not a tradesperson. They would just say what their fee is.

TheRookie · 05/09/2022 23:19

This is not a thing surely?!

Do people actually pay tradesmen on the spot? Do they not just send an invoice?

RewildingAmbridge · 05/09/2022 23:23

No one would ever say buy me a pony!
It would just be how much was that? A pony How much is that going to set me back? A pony (£25)
A score for £20.

Out of interest anyone else on MN ever been asked for an Alan? (Money)

allboysherebutme · 05/09/2022 23:25

£20. X

Nagado · 05/09/2022 23:27

Out of interest anyone else on MN ever been asked for an Alan? (Money)

Only by a mockney.

YesitsBess · 05/09/2022 23:27

RewildingAmbridge · 05/09/2022 23:23

No one would ever say buy me a pony!
It would just be how much was that? A pony How much is that going to set me back? A pony (£25)
A score for £20.

Out of interest anyone else on MN ever been asked for an Alan? (Money)

See Sausage? It’s bung not buy 😂

RewildingAmbridge · 05/09/2022 23:30

@Nagado I grew up in the East end and my grandparents' neighbour is the only person I've ever heard say it, he used to give us sweets/an Alan 😁 for doing odd jobs in his garden. I was so confused the first time I heard it!

RewildingAmbridge · 05/09/2022 23:30

@YesitsBess yes bung me a pony definitely rings truer!

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