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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask you what I shall reply to this email?

119 replies

BornToShopForcedToWork · 30/03/2012 21:39

We are looking for somebody who come with us on holiday to Spain for a week, to help us for a maximum of 5h a day but it will be always be less unless something unexpected happens in return for flights, a room, food und a reasonable salary. The only duties are preparing breakfast for four people, and driving us down to the beach/whatever activity we do and pick us up in the evening and cook an easy and healthy meal. Some nights we will go out for a dinner and we won't go every day to the beach but stay in the little village where the house is. The main reason we need somebody is because nobody of us drives and we looked for somebody local but didn't have any luck. The person would have the whole day between roughly 11am until 5/6ish off and could either join us at the beach or do whatever she/he fancies.

I have now received a very nasty email from somebody who applied to the ad on Gumtree and I don't know what to reply. Shall I be nice or not?

That's the email:

5 hour a day x 7 days - 35 hours a week this is NOT a free holiday are you nuts?! Or are you tight?!
As they say there is no such thing as a free lunch; a holiday = a rest!
This is slave labour while you get chaffured around and the person works like a slave with split hours and at your beck and call!!!!! Funny how you don't know any one personally friend, family, neighbour or someone through someone that has taken you up on your "wonderful offer", I wonder why?
Oh I can just imagine.. could you just do this, could you just do that oh and by the way while you are sweeping the room with a broom up your backside could you just do that! I have worked for people like this before!
You can get a package deal for three hundred pounds all inclusive to Spain.
Honestly the new monied people = no class!
I am also sure that this is legal under EEC regs!
Good luck!

OP posts:
PooPooInMyToes · 31/03/2012 12:57

QS. Its not for free. She's already said she is thinking of paying a couple of hundred quid.

So judgmental! Lots of people, admittedly rich people, have someone prepare there meals, have a driver or a maid. You're all judging op for being well off!

FrankWippery · 31/03/2012 13:28

I am certainly not judging the OP - how lovely to be able to a. give someone a little holiday and b. pay them to do a few hours of work a day. My older DDs would jump at the chance to do that.

The only thing I am questioning is the distance from the coast as ?60 is one heck of a cab ride and I think that they are either a good 40 miles inland or someone is taking them for a ride. So to speak, absolutely no pun intended Grin.

Original poster
BornToShopForcedToWork · 31/03/2012 13:29

FrankWhippery
Its about 20-25 or 30 minutes depending on which beach you go to.

OP posts:
Original poster
BornToShopForcedToWork · 31/03/2012 13:31

Frank, the village is called Relleu and it costs 60 quid to go to Benidorm Beach. I once made the mistake and paid for it, but I won't do it again.

OP posts:
FrankWippery · 31/03/2012 13:38

Born - that is outrageous. For future ref, certainly if you will be going there pretty regularly, try with some of the expats as I can guarantee that there will be some that do much much cheaper beach/airport runs. For example, where we were, a taxi from the airport to ours was ?72. The chap I used to sometimes use (English) would charge me ?40.

Could be that you can come to some kind of all in arrangement for your time there when you go other times iyswim. A sort of 10 hours driving for ?175. You will find that most will jump at the chance.

topshelfrita · 31/03/2012 13:44

Born -- not at all unreasonable, I think your only mistake was calling it a free holiday when it's a sort of partial holiday, (part-time paid work and quite a bit of time off), it looks like it would suit a student or young person very well. There is very good advice on this thread on how to find the right person, good luck and enjoy your hols.

DPrince · 31/03/2012 14:52

Just be clear OP, I (and don't think others) are suggesting you rely on family/friends. But could these people help you find someone local who they know (a little safer than some from gumtree) that you can pay. This person would be doing the same as the person you would take with you. Are there no local employment/housekeeping agencies? Could you not contact an agency here?
I agree its your money to spend how you wish, whether i would spend it or not. Personally I wouldn't. But I have a cleaner that comes in 4 times a week, some people wouldn't pay for that. I am just questioning the advert wording and the use of gumtree. IMO its not the best way to go about it.

PimpMyTunnel · 31/03/2012 16:05

Why don't you just stay in a hotel a beach. You've obviously got more money than sense, no offence intended.

PimpMyTunnel · 31/03/2012 16:05

Why don't you just stay in a hotel a beach. You've obviously got more money than sense, no offence intended.

Original poster
BornToShopForcedToWork · 31/03/2012 16:10

PimpmyTunnel

As i mentioned earlier, we have a house in the village, its beautiful there and the only downside is that there is no public transport and it is quite a bit from the beach.

OP posts:
PimpMyTunnel · 31/03/2012 16:37

oh ok Grin hope you find someone you can trust and have a good holiday!

wish I could afford a holiday:(

QuintessentialShadows · 31/03/2012 19:35

hmm, learn to drive? Get a bicycle?

confusedpixie · 31/03/2012 20:23

Have you posted it on workaway? That's a site which allows people to offer placements of any kind for 5ish hour days of chores in return for food and board. My ex and I were going to do it instead of paying for commercial volunteer placements but there are loads on there which are essentially au pair jobs.

I'd do something like that if I was self employed tbh.

iceandsliceplease · 31/03/2012 21:56

Trying v hard not to sound snobby, but... why the hell do you want to go to Benidorm Grin? Is there not a pool you can sit around instead?

iceandsliceplease · 31/03/2012 21:57

On a more helpful note, have you thought of putting an ad in The Lady? People who browse ads there might be more suited than a random person from gumtree.

Original poster
BornToShopForcedToWork · 01/04/2012 00:23

Not going to benidorm beach, just did in the past when i didnt go in high season.

OP posts:
Original poster
BornToShopForcedToWork · 01/04/2012 00:24

confusedpixie thanks thats great. I will have a look.

OP posts:
cookcleanerchaufferetc · 01/04/2012 04:25

Why don't you get your family and friends to ask around ... Do the local economy some good by employing a local. Much better than having a stranger with you .... That's bizarre.

gabsid · 01/04/2012 10:18

Yes, its a chalet maid you are trying to hire, with additional driving duties. The job of a chalet maid is a bloody hard on though! Not a free holiday. I would be very resentful if I looked after breakfast, dinner, drove you about. With breakfast and dinner comes washing up and tidying or do you do that??? I would wash up, tidy the kitchen and dining room at least.

And do you expect that person to stay at the beach with you, or lay by her/himself, or go somewhere else while you are on the beach?

But, it you don't drive, what on earth possessed you to book/accept that holiday flat, if it seems so comletely unsuitable for you?

PooPooInMyToes · 01/04/2012 11:01

Gabsid. As she has said many times she owns the place. I also don't see why someone should feel resentful about making breakfast when they are being paid to do it!

Oho · 01/04/2012 11:15

Goodness, some of you really need to leave the OP alone. It's up to her where she holidays and who she chooses to take along. She just wanted advice on the e-mail.

OP, I would suggest that you completely ignore the e-mail you've received. As you can see from this thread, there are always people willing to pass judgement on you for their own infathomable reasons.

Enjoy your holiday.

Goawaybob · 01/04/2012 11:32

Oho, i think people were just a little confused as to why the OP needed this help and her way of getting it. Everyone thought, just get a hotel nearer the beach - but its a friends holiday home so that is difficult. It also i pressume frees up some money to pay for a "help". There is more than one family staying so they will all be pitching in im sure.

I would have a problem hiring someone in this way due to security and would maybe favour hiring a friend, but then thats awkward.

I think the solution has to be to hire a driver, out there - im pretty sure that the OP can cook and clean after herself. Wondering if the OP was looking someone to do this so that the job was more substantial and therefore worth the £250 pay for the week on top of the accomodation and food. I think that is where it falls apart though, you either want a driver or a maid, id go for the driver. I certainly don't think it is lazy not wanting to cook on holiday, after all, you are on holiday, dont want the hassle of cooking. Loads of people do this, go all inclusive or stay in bed and breakfast - its not like the op is wanting too much, just a standard holiday - i just htink that she has to accept that having the holiday home isnt the same as staying in a hotel and will have to cook for themselves, or eat out.

ArtVandelay · 01/04/2012 11:36

Have you got a FE college or a University near to you? If your holiday week is during holiday or study leave then you could have loads of applicants if you were allowed to put a sign on their notice boards or whatever. It sounds like a lovely thing for a young person, perhaps not so appealing for someone who wants a 'real' job or who is a bit chippy like your emailer. I wouldn't bother writing back to be honest - they could be a bit of a nuisance.

diddl · 01/04/2012 11:39

Would a taxi firm do a deal if you were to be using them regularly?

BIWI · 01/04/2012 11:41

I'm wondering why 2 people have clicked on the Facebook/recommend link at the top of this thread Hmm

OP - it's not an unreasonable offer, although it's obviously not really a holiday for whoever takes it up.

But if you own this house and are likely to be going regularly then you really ought to consider learning to drive.