To not make the *neighbour's* scaffolders a cup of tea?

[MothershipG]

OK, not me, my friend. We were standing on the street having a chat while some scaffolding was being put up on a house opposite hers, after I left and she turned to let herself into her house they asked her if she'd make them tea. She just replied no without really thinking so they said how about coffee then?

Is it just me or is it odd to ask random strangers to provide you with a hot drink? They are not working for her and it's not like it's the middle of nowhere, there is a bakers and a cafe just around the corner.

No, your friend was not unreasonable. I expect that the people who live opposite go to work or were in hospital or on holiday so were not offering. If the workmen had known that, they could quite easily have taken a flask of tea/coffee and sandwiches with them.

We had our boiler extensively repaired last week by a couple of superb workman who had a difficult job. They didn't leave until nearly 10 o'clock at night. I cooked cheese and onion on toast for them at 7.00pm two slices each and plied them with plenty of tea in their chosen mugs. I was so pleased to have warmth in the house again!

I would have felt the way your friend did in that situation though.

Having said that, though, if they went to the baker or cafe round the corner, they could push up their fees for hours worked, couldn't they? Hence the flask and sandwiches suggestion.

Making tea for your own builders is normal, why would they even think a random passerby would make it??? But I guess it must work sometimes?

That's weird!

Fine for your own hired workers, but not for some randoms across the road

Are these the same builders who were horrible to the poor person in the other thread? ("Hey fatty boom boom")?

If so please offer them some tea laced with vinegar.

I always take a cup of tea with me when I go shopping, for the poor girl on the checkout.
When I go to the bank, I take them biscuits as well

i would probably say yes and make them tea.

years ago, when i was about 15, our neighbours at the back of our garden were having the fencing replaced, it was a freezing, frosty day. I heard a knock at the back door and had a freezing fencer ask if we could make them some tea as the neighbours had gone for the day, it never occurred to me to say no.

Well,maybe the person they are working for was out and they were bloody freezing and wanted a hot drink???

Wierd request but they were probably desperate :)

I accidentally made tea for the neighbours plumbers last year.
We had builders in and I just used to count heads and make 800 cups at a time.
Didn't realise the 2 guys pulling up drain covers on the pavement were for next door!
They were very grateful - but MY builders seemed quite put out to be sharing their very cheap biscuits!

It was worth a go I guess, they were probably having a laugh!

Not the same ones asheep that really would be pushing it!

Exactly! OldMac when I'm out shopping and want a drink I don't just expect a random stranger to make me one!

Yeah think they are having a laugh with, probably fancied her.

Em....it was probably a "joke"?

Maybe they were cold, but there is a bakers and a cafe 2 mins away!

bamboo If they'd asked me I probably would have said yes, just because I was so wrong footed by the request, my friend, however is less of a doormat made of sterner stuff!

My guess is that it was worth a punt for free tea, after all the worse someone will say is no, so they have nothing to lose. But I do think it's a bit of a cheek!!

The Sun - 'Woman refuses to make tea for men after seeing their erection'

I would have made them tea if I wasn't in a rush. I made tea for the people replacing the lampost outside our house last year, they weren't my 'hired workers' but I thought it was a nice thing to do.

What harm does it do to make a couple of cold workers a cup of tea!

Maybe they were cold, but there is a bakers and a cafe 2 mins away!

Just cheeky fuckers then :)

I made tea for the painters painting the outside of my neighbours 3 doors down makes herself look generous and kind so forges to mention said painter was dh and work mate

Unless they were really letchy I would probably make them one.

One cold cold day last january I saw the local road sweeper 'doing' outside mine and my neighbours houses, I went out and offerered him a hot drink which he gladly accepted.

I think Id have made him one if he knocked and asked too, its just being kind isn't it?

I would have made the tea personally, and have done so for some roadworks men on our road. But don't think friend was unreasonable to say no if she didnt want to.

I would have made them tea purely because I am rubbish at saying no... But it is NU to say no.

Although we've just had builders in for nearly 3 months having extension/new kitchen etc and I didn't make them tea, just left them the kettle, mugs, tea bags etc and biscuit barrel for them to help themselves (which they did). I only drink one cup of tea a day so I'm not very tuned in to how often a hot beverage should be offered...

Actually, just realised I have been kind and generous as when the council redid the pavement both sides of our road, I made tea/coffee and pints of squash for the workers (Summer time) when they were working near our house on both sides of the road. I probably would have made these workmen drinks if I had the time.

Don't builders take a thermos with them during the winter? Bit stupid if they don't.