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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Drinks whilst at work

66 replies

Jackin · 05/07/2011 21:04

I work in peoples gardens everyday (I'm a tree surgeon) aibu to to think people should bring out a cup of tea or cold drink (non-alcholic) whilst we have our break? Or even water!

OP posts:
PreviouslyonLost · 05/07/2011 21:20

Jackin

Just had a lot of builders working here over past few months ..... water, tea, coffee, juice, beer, wine, breakfast, lunch, and dinner offered whenever it was appropriate ..... we have LOADS of trees requiring your services, come visit Scotland soon, comfy bed available Grin

We now have a lot of talented local tradespeople we can count on as friends, and they are happy to come back and carry out other pieces of work for us.

I agree, it's nice to be nice .... Smile

Original poster
Jackin · 05/07/2011 21:22

wiggles you are a hero! It's just that today I had to drag 6 big conifers out of the back garden I drunk about 3 litres of water sweating me guts out and matey came back for lunch didn't even come and say hello.Angry He just sat in his kitchen for half hour drinking nice ice cold coke Envy

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackin · 05/07/2011 21:25

acid tabs in the tea? Where do they live?

OP posts:
merryberry · 05/07/2011 21:27

I have occasionally had the urge to hose a workman or two down. For different reasons. I think this is not a helpful contribution though.

LaurieFairyCake · 05/07/2011 21:29

Aren't tabs of acid about £10 - who would waste £20 for a 'laugh' you can't see.

What a load of crap, they were winding him up.

HRHMJOFMAGICJAMALAND · 05/07/2011 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Jackin · 05/07/2011 21:29

never been hosed down Grin got to go hang up washing.

OP posts:
ihatecbeebies · 05/07/2011 21:30

They were from Glasgow, I don't think they as expensive as that Laurie

Ismeyes · 05/07/2011 21:30

It depends. If the person doing the work in my house/garden treats me and my house with respect and courtesy then they would get the same back. If they don't then they get nothing from me.

fluffles · 05/07/2011 21:33

if i'm working at home in order to have somebody round to work on my house i'm often very stressed, juggling phonecalls and email and feeling guilty that i'm not in the office...

i admit i don't often sit around thinking about making tea for the nice tradespeople.. Blush

vintageteacups · 05/07/2011 21:34

I always offer workmen/women doing work tea (unless it's literally a 5 min job or they look leary).

It is nice to offer, although once, when I made tea for some removal guys, one of them chucked the tea out of the lounge window and told me it tasted like cat piss. I said "you won't be wanting anymore then"!!!

Original poster
Jackin · 05/07/2011 21:36

He was obviously a prick. Don't let it put you off vintageteacups!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackin · 05/07/2011 21:37

Brew Biscuit Brew Biscuit

OP posts:
Omigawd · 05/07/2011 21:37

I always offer tea to people who come and work for us, and have long chats to my Polish cleaner over coffee. It pays off, she brings Polish biscuits which are yummy :)

Want2bSupermum · 05/07/2011 21:45

Saw this post and had to comment. It is 35C today and there are workmen redoing the steps on my neighbours home. At 10am they were working in direct sunlight so I came out and offered them cold water and use of my bathroom as the owner (my neighbour) was not home.

Don't expect a good job from someone working for you if you don't offer them refreshments. Also, it is worth opening up your home to outdoor workmen, as if they are not using your bathroom, where are they going to pee?...

Original poster
Jackin · 05/07/2011 22:24

want2, you are obviously on the right wave length. Although often if it's really hot you might not pee at all.

OP posts:
brighthair · 05/07/2011 22:31

I would always offer a drink and biscuits or cake. Had workman outside my kitchen working on the pavement and passed tea and bacon barms out the window for them!!

beanandspud · 05/07/2011 23:42

I would always offer tea/coffee - it seems rude not to.

I do admit to buying cheaper 'builders' biscuits' though when we had workmen in for months - they were getting through two packets a day!

takethisonehereforastart · 05/07/2011 23:48

YANBU.

If someone is working on your property it's polite to offer them a drink.

We had the boiler serviced not so long ago and the man was quite surprised to be offered a drink.

sunnydelight · 05/07/2011 23:49

YANBU. We're in Oz so obviously it gets really hot. We had a pool built last year so plenty of serious manual labour - I would regularly bring out jugs of iced water or squash in case anyone was thirsty and if people were obviously on their break I would ask if they wanted something cold. I was amazed though at how many of the guys told me that this was really unusual. Tradies here are also surprised if you offer them coffee or tea, they carry big flasks!

ExitPursuedByAKitten · 05/07/2011 23:53

I always do tea/coffee and whatever is in the tin - biscuits, cake etc. Always seems appreciated. But why do workmen take so many sugars?

HelloKlitty · 06/07/2011 00:17

I always offer people a coffee or tea when they're working in my house...arpet fitters, engineers...all of them. YANBU.

HelloKlitty · 06/07/2011 00:18

My Nan used to love having work done on her house..she'd make them bacon butties! They loved her! My sister had a lot of work done and she put them a kettle out with tea, milk and sugar every day.

sausagesandmarmelade · 06/07/2011 07:55

We always offer workmen a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits...

I don't think this should be expected. You should take your own bottle of water just in case you don't get offered anything.

I think maybe some people are reluctant to offer drinks but would prefer people to just get on with the work and go.

cantpooinpeace · 06/07/2011 07:59

Why do we tip posties at Christmas? I've never done it, I don't get tops at Christmas so why would he.......very strange.

Always offer a brew to workmen/window cleaners etc.