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AIBU?

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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:
Goawaybob · 01/04/2012 11:42

ARtvandelay, that is a brilliant idea - i would maybe take on a couple of students (halve the pay or even very minimal) they would possibly jump at the chance. Be less attractive if they were to be alone.

Id do it, but well, i cant drive, and you wouldnt want to eat my cooking either.

McHappyPants2012 · 01/04/2012 11:45

if it wasn't for the kids i would do it.

OP it not clear bt will cleaning be part of the job

mirry2 · 01/04/2012 11:51

Why don't you contact a nanny agency/ I'm sure there are plenty of nanies out there who would do this on a temporary basis. I have a friend who's a nanny and she was booked to go on holiday with a very famous op star and family to do just what the op wants. She said it was hard work and not a holiday for her, but she just viewed it as a job in the sunshine.

squeakytoy · 01/04/2012 12:31

Why not just invite another friend, who drives... Confused

Haziedoll · 01/04/2012 12:35

YANBU but how the other half live eh?

SuePurblybilt · 01/04/2012 13:08

I am not understanding why the hate is coming at the OP Grin. She's wanting to pay someone to drive her for a week. In the same way that many people hire a housekeeper with a villa, or take a nanny away. What she's after is exactly what lots of people do, on yachts and ski chalets - I don't see what's wrong with it?

Having said that OP, your ad/posts kind of make it sound as if you think it's an easy ride and someone would be lucky to lay your plates and hang around with you. I'm not sure you've taken into account how awkward a position the person could be in - do they hang around on with beach with you? Making small talk? What about when you stay at home - are you going to be happy with them sleeping in the sun all day or are you going to 'find' extra bits for them to do?
It's a bit of a governess role, socially, and could be really uncomfortable.

One of the domestic help agencies could find someone for you or I second The Lady.

BornToShopForcedToWork · 01/04/2012 13:10

Haziedoll
I am certainly not somebody of the half, just somebody hardworking who wants to
relax on holiday.

OP posts:
BornToShopForcedToWork · 01/04/2012 13:14

Sue
I have changed the ad now. It is quite common to have ski nannies who do a bit of childcare and cooking in exchange for a room, food, ski pass, ski hire and no salary offered. We certainly don't expect a 3* chef, just some simple meals like a salad/sandwiches and the odd hot meal. We also offer a salary, so i don't see what the problem is.

OP posts:
SuePurblybilt · 01/04/2012 13:15

Yes, I know. That's what I said Confused.

BornToShopForcedToWork · 01/04/2012 13:17

Sue sorry, was just reading your post quickly on my phone. I just wanted to let people know where I got the idea from.

OP posts:
SuePurblybilt · 01/04/2012 13:19

Grin. No worries.

tb · 01/04/2012 15:30

Would third the Lady

Goawaybob · 01/04/2012 15:45

tb the OP is going to benidorm! i can't see many readers of "the lady" wanting to go there! Grin

BornToShopForcedToWork · 01/04/2012 16:41

Goawaybob we are not going to benidorm, but to a small village called relleu.

OP posts:
SuePurblybilt · 01/04/2012 16:45

Lots of people buy The Lady just for the small ads - it's good for professional domestics/house sitters/nannies etc. Nowt to do with being posh.

destroyedluggage · 02/04/2012 09:21

It would have been my dream job in my student days.

Agree with whomever suggested to post this on a university message board, you'll have people beating each other with a stick for it within minutes.

Ignore the email.

gabsid · 02/04/2012 16:59

PooPoo - the OP thinks she is offering someone a free holiday though. I would feel resentful if I was working hard for someone and it wasn't appreciated. If they thought they were treating me to a 'free holiday' just because its in a sunny place.

abbscrosswoman · 02/04/2012 18:19

Iam a little surprised by the reactions of some to your post, OP. I would have thought there would be plenty of people willing to take that job whether it could be decribed as a 'free holiday' or not. But then the lack of employment opportunity out there right now could, I suppose, just be left-wing propaganda..........

Perhaps you should have said that the job entailed working one hour per day, reading the newspaper out to you and your guests with half an hour for lunch and will pay £1000.00 per minute......not forgetting your obligations to HMRC and the Working Time directive !

And I wouldn't bother to reply to the Troll.

GreenPetal94 · 02/04/2012 20:28

I would be careful of advertising on Gumtree, and especially then linking the advert on Mumsnet.

I have advertised successfully for help in the local University's employment service. I think then at least I know the applicant is a registered student, even though that doesn't cut out all the risks.

The last holiday I went on came with a maid to make our breakfast and after a couple of days we were annoyed by the fixed time of it and I would just go for simple self catering in future.

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