I know it’s ridiculous but I’m a bit gutted

[MotherOfOlafs]

Hi all

We’re getting the bathroom done currently and were on holiday for a week so timed it to coincide as we only have a downstairs loo to use. Anyway, I’d left out a load of cups, teabags, coffee even biscuits and soft drinks for the plumber to use.

We’ve got back and not much has been done but ok I get it’s hot and whatnot. What’s annoyed me is that I have a display cabinet in the living room with a teapot and cups that I’d been given as a 21st birthday gift (I’d seen it in a magazine and loved it). I’ve never used it as to me it’s just a lovely bit of art I guess? The plumber has used it, it was washed and left on the draining board. I know I’m being silly and precious but I just feel annoyed! Especially as he took it from a cabinet in a different room, and he had everything he needed left out for him.

I’ve not said anything to him as I don’t really know what to say, nothing is broken or damaged so I’d feel silly. Am I being ridiculous here?

He likes tea made in a teapot ? and the only teapot he could see / find was that one ?

Yes, I would say something. Politely but clear about my 'surprise' that he'd used the set when you had laid out cups for him to use.

I'd also pull him up on the fact that 'not much had been done'. In future I'd ask for daily updates via WhatsApp.

YANBU - that’s such an overstep. Why has he been using your fancy teapot instead of getting the work done!

A grown man used some display crockery from a cabinet? 🤔

IMO you are not being silly or precious.

He had no right to help himself to stuff in an display cabinet!

Plus you said he hadn't got much work done. Sounds like a rubbish plumber to me.

IMO it would be perfectly reasonable to ask him why he didn't use the cups left out for him and "Why did you open my display cabinet?"

Who cares? Not his house and there was an obvious array of choices for him to have for drinks.

Out of order

Very disrespectful... I would be fuming too.

So this guy has been wandering around your house and removed a teapot from a display cabinet!!! I'd be very concerned with what other rooms/ cupboards and drawers he had a nose through!

I'd approach him very upset and say 'Why have you used the precious teapot that Aunt Jane's ashes are in???'

I'd then wait for his reaction- the CF! And never use him again.

Hahaha this is great!

Is he from a different culture where using the teapot is still an everyday thing? Perhaps he didn't want to use a new teabag each time (thinking that would be liberties) and just thought it best to use the same teabag multiple times over and in his mind the tea pot was best?

I think this has to be a Lost In Translation issue. I understand your feelings, but personally, I wouldn't get too precious about it. Especially wouldn't say anything while there's still work to be completed. It is after all, a reusable teacup and teapot and I think it would be a bit overly dramatic to make it an issue. I'd put them away somewhere so he can't use them again.

In future I won’t use him, we’re home now and DH works from home so he’s having to get on with it now!

Absolutely right to be annoyed with this. You don’t just wander round someone’s house and help yourself to things! And even if you did, anyone with half a brain would know not to use something that’s in a display cabinet in another room.

Nope he’s more Essex than the rest of us put together 🤣 plus there was a huge box of tea bags left out, I’d put a note saying to help himself and milk/drinks were in the fridge.
I was thinking it would be dramatic to bring it up you’re right, just pissed off to be honest

Yes a few times and usually he just asks for water or squash, never really a tea

If he’s from the UK, yep very weird thing to do.

He might have had someone else in to do the work as a subcontractor. Sneaky and cheeky.

You have completely missed the point- but thanks for your comment! 😂

I honestly couldn't get worked up about this. I get it, it's unusual to go in someone else's display cabinet but he used a teapot. Didn't break it or leave it dirty. All is well. Would you have said 'no' if he'd asked?

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Right rude beggar then!!

I still wouldn't mention it, until he had at least finished as I wouldn't want him taking out petty revenge with quality of his work. The cheeky upstart!!

Of course I would’ve said no!

That’s my big fear!

Honestly though I wouldn’t even know what to say; ‘how dare you use my teapot for what it’s intended for!!!’ How batshit would I sound! But still….. arrrrhhhh I’m annoyed!!

Well you know the right thing to do now is actually use the bloomin teapot and cups.

I agree with cupcaske. A grown man wouldn't have done this, and added to the lack of work, I suspect "entertaining" has been happening.