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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask workmen to use only one of our 4 bathrooms?

70 replies

Jess222 · 04/12/2013 10:37

Hi. I really don't know if I should ask this, so would appreciate some advice! We have 3 carpenters in our house for 4 days next week, doing lots of work around the house.

We have 4 bathrooms. From what I can see the choice is either (1) Ask them to stick to using just one bathroom, even if it mean they have to e.g. come from upstairs to use the downstairs loo; or (2) Clean up potentially all 4 bathrooms, and yes I have had to so this in the past after we had workmen in who decided to use whichever bathroom was nearest - and one of the bathrooms was left in a disgusting state.

I don't want to seem like a mad woman (although I know I probably am!) But I hate having to clean up toilets after people, especially men, who don't leave them as clean as they found them.

OP posts:

sebsmummy1 · 04/12/2013 11:13

Oooh is this turning into a literal bathroom pissing contest?

I have two by the way and a cloakroom - downstairs lavvy

Original poster

Jess222 · 04/12/2013 11:16

VenusDeWillendorf - in the past, have you just told a workman that they can't use your toilet and told them to go somewhere else???

I wish I could just say what I want to say, but I'm not that brave.

OP posts:

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 04/12/2013 11:16

I don't think you are being OTT. As long as you provide an inside loo for them to use that's totally fine. Who'd want to clean 4 loos after workmen have been? Most people only have 1 or 2 so it's not an issue they face.

moggle · 04/12/2013 11:40

When my parents had a small extension done, the workman had a portaloo delivered to the front garden and used that!!
I think it's reasonable to ask and I'm sure the workmen would be used to that kind of request. One up and one down might be a good compromise. Don't think you can be too prescriptive if they forget or ignore you but for me a closed bathroom door is enough to put me off in someone else's house- what if there's no lock and I walk in on someone!

Ubik1 · 04/12/2013 11:43

I have six bathrooms and insist that the staff just use the downstairs cloakroom leaving one each for the rest of the family and one spare just in case.

sebsmummy1 · 04/12/2013 13:23

missmarplestmarymead · 04/12/2013 14:10

I don't like anyone using my bathroom, not even my husband, it's all mine and just for me. I would certainly point out the one that they can use. I don't think that's being rude or disrespectful at all.

YouTheCat · 04/12/2013 14:11

I'd offer a bucket and a torn up copy of the Daily Mail to wipe with.

ProfPlumSpeaking · 04/12/2013 14:14

YANBU but agree that it's tricky to enforce. I hate random workmen using my loos as (??why?) they do often seem to miss the loo with their wee and/or leave skid marks. I presume they don't behave like that in their own homes (or do they?) and somehow clearing up a grown stranger's, ahem, offering, is much much worse than dealing with small children's accidents.

HesterShaw · 04/12/2013 14:15

MissMarple, where does your poor husband perform his daily ablutions? Don't tell me you send him out with a bucket.

Don't tell me you have a bathroom each? :o

Mumsyblouse · 04/12/2013 14:22

To make you seem slightly less loon-like, why don't you go through the 'things you need to know about our house' at the start- so as part of the general intro, use these doors, hoover here, and by the way- this is the bathroom to use (downstairs one). You may also include making own cups of tea/coffee in this (if they are allowed that!)

Don't go around pointing at loos shouting 'don't use that one, don't use that one' otherwise they will be talking about you, and not in a nice way.

More 'this is the bathroom for the men to use'- then make sure it has cleaning stuff visible (this won't help but at least you tried).

AmazingBouncingFerret · 04/12/2013 14:28

Can't you tape down the seats of the ones you don't want them to use?

donnie · 04/12/2013 14:28

I have eight bathrooms but I insist all workers and plebieans other folk use the woods .

oscarwilde · 04/12/2013 15:02

What Mumsyblouse said, except HIDE THE HOOVER!

JackShit · 04/12/2013 15:20

Fackin' 'ell @ the bathroom stealth boasting on here

Any advance on 5 shitters?

BlancheDubious · 04/12/2013 15:24

First world problems!

I've got 8 bathrooms too but one is just for the corgis, Phillip uses another, leaving 6 just for one's own usage.

sebsmummy1 · 04/12/2013 16:11

Stealth bathroom boasting has just made me spit my coffee also let out a bit of wee

mrsjay · 04/12/2013 16:13

you are just showing off you have 4 toilets eh I think it is fine to say can you use This toilet only thanks and just leave it at that ,

trashcanjunkie · 04/12/2013 16:17

Oh I'd love my own bathroom. One day maybe. I share with two ds and dp. My one victory is insisting that they either sat to piss or cleaned it themselves. They all sit. I am aware this is nothing to do with the OP.

digerd · 04/12/2013 16:23

I have recently had 3 visits from electricians. One wanted to use the loo and he was here only for an hour .
He left the rim and the lid up.
I had 2 men yesterday and were here 3 hours, but didn't want even a cuppa. Both asked to go - not together . The toilet seat and lid was down when I went in later.

sonlypuppyfat · 04/12/2013 16:28

Hang on a minute you've got four loo's who are you the queen. Get over yourself I'm sure they won't shit on the floor.

Gryffindor · 04/12/2013 17:59

Yanbu. We have builders in at the mo and it is really quite intrusive having them using the main (currently only - hence the building work) bathroom. They spend AGES in there, use an ungodly amount of loo roll and on more than on occasion have left a horrible mess/smell.

I wish I had another loo they could use.

mrsjay · 04/12/2013 20:15

I remember I had a man in trying to sell me blinds he asked to use my only toilet I heard him on the phone asking if he could offer me a discount he had been here an hour and I wasn't buying , and the cheeky sod had the cheek to have a fag

BlancheDubious · 05/12/2013 14:55

My DH is one of these grimy plebeian workmen of which you speak.
He REFUSES to take a shit in a customer's toilet. He will come home and rush to the bathroom for an hour and I will say "wtf you've been in a bathroom all day why have you held it in??" ( I don't actually say 'wtf' by the way)

He says it's just rude to dump in the toilet of someone who's paying you. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, he's exceptionally meticulous about bathrooming, moreso than me if anything.

Well brung up, he was.

HesterShaw · 05/12/2013 15:02

Do shits just strike these grimy workmen unexpectedly then? They can happen at any time?

Because I always go within fifteen minutes of getting up.

Overshare?

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