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AIBU?

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Original poster

Or should you offer a workman a drink?

288 replies

Azquilith · 26/08/2014 21:50

DP fixes appliances for a national firm, and visits up to 8 houses a day. In London he not only often gets let in by the housekeeper at the tradesman entrance, but is seldom offered a drink. In the recent hot weather it makes me fume that he's working in hot utility rooms, shunting appliances about for hours and doesn't even get offered a glass of water. Do you offer someone in your home a drink?

OP posts:
squoosh · 26/08/2014 22:02

I always offer a drink, in my book it's rude not to.

But then from MN I know there are people who get all indignant about this and, shock horror, God forbid said person may need to urinate or defecate in their toilet!

wheresthelight · 26/08/2014 22:02

I guess it depends on how long he is in their house for. if it's for an hour or more then yes, if it's just for 10 mins then no.

why does he not have drinks in his van

Original poster
Azquilith · 26/08/2014 22:03

For biscuits DP will leave his mobile number and tell customers to ring him directly if there are any further problems (against company policy). Just saying.

OP posts:
CallMeExhausted · 26/08/2014 22:04

I always offer at least a drink and a snack - and have a cooler full of ice and bottled water at the edge of my front garden on hot days for whoever wants/needs it.

Smartiepants79 · 26/08/2014 22:04

Well I always offer and it's a bit rude not to but it's foolish of your DH to be relying on it to keep him going.
He needs to take his own drinks and food. Accept if he's offered but don't expect it.

TortoiseUpATreeAgain · 26/08/2014 22:04

It depends. If someone's in for a quick job I won't generally offer (although would happily supply a drink if asked). If they are clearly going to be here for over an hour or so then I will.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2014 22:05

I always offer a drink, it's polite and the chap appreciates it.

Dh is a plumber, he'd be miffed if I didn't offer a drink to a fellow tradesman.

temporaryusername · 26/08/2014 22:05

I would always offer a drink if someone's here more than 5 mins.

Also, crikey 'tradesman's entrance'! They should be offering him a bottle of champagne as he leaves with a large tip if they can afford a house like that in London.

TattyDevine · 26/08/2014 22:05

Oh and I had some facia/guttering guys in for 3 days during a heatwave, so I'd give iced water and stuff, but they insisted I lock up when I left the house because "they didn't want to be accused" Hmm which was fine but a week or so after they'd left I smelt stale urine round the side - they'd been weeing in the garden!

And the main one offered me "a bit of extra-marital if I fancied it"...

Hmm
BeCool · 26/08/2014 22:06

Well I always offer drinks, and sometimes food too.

But if I did your H's job I would be well stocked with my own water and a thermos of hot drink to get me through the day.

Does he do this? If strangers are so reluctant to offer a drink surely he would be prepared so he's not in a position of dehydrating? Perhaps many people assume tradespeople are equipped and prepared to take care of themselves?

PastaBow · 26/08/2014 22:06

Definitely. Along with cake or biscuits. I think it is very rude not to offer but then I am often secretly amazed not to be offered a drink in client's offices.

We've had a lot of work done recently and I'm starting to realise this isn't standard. I had some concrete tipped in the pouring rain and ran out with hot coffee and chocolate biscuits on a tray for the workmen and they were quite surprised commenting that the builders often get tea but the concrete tippers are always forgotten Sad

SuckingGin · 26/08/2014 22:06

I never have workmen in because DH is a Mr Fix-it, but yes if someone was doing some work for me and was going to be in my house/garden for more than about fifteen minutes I would at least offer to make them coffee or pour them a glass of water. If they were going to be around for hours I'd probably just point them at the coffee machine and drinks fridge and tell them to help themselves.

Original poster
Azquilith · 26/08/2014 22:06

He does have drinks in van. But if you're lifting 30kg tubs out of half a dozen washing machines a day, and keeping your water in your unconditioned van you a) get through it and b) it gets warm.

OP posts:
Bambambini · 26/08/2014 22:07

Yes and usually biscuits or such as well.

Original poster
Azquilith · 26/08/2014 22:08

And temporaryusername yes, you would be amazed at the number of tradesmen entrances. And household staff who wear uniforms. And the confidentiality agreements he has to sign to step foot in the kitchens of slebs.

OP posts:
PastaBow · 26/08/2014 22:09

Azquilith I can guess where he works after being left a mobile number 'because of the mince pies'.

DH insists he was flirting but I was 7 months pregnant at the time so I like to believe it was the quality of my baking.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 26/08/2014 22:09

Tatty I love your Scrabble story. And the offer of a bit on the side. Nice! Grin

Stratter5 · 26/08/2014 22:11

Good grief, that's awful.

Anyone in my house gets offered tea/coffee/cold drink every hour. And if I have someone in over a number of days, I offer lunch too. I've renovated a few houses, and the workmen who've done substantial amounts always joined us for proper lunch, at the table. If you have someone who does a good job, you treat them respectfully and well, and appreciate what they are able to do for you.

Owllady · 26/08/2014 22:11

Yes I offer drinks but I was brought up properly

Delphiniumsblue · 26/08/2014 22:12

Always - I couldn't imagine not doing it. I offer one as they start and then at intervals. If I go out I show them where everything is to make their own.

Original poster
Azquilith · 26/08/2014 22:13

PastaBow DP says alas he doesn't like mince pies so probably not him. Though he has been known to bring home snacks that he doesn't like for me in the past. Definitely had half a Christmas cake once.

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 26/08/2014 22:15

Hey hearts, at least he offered, it would have been rude not to perhaps? Grin

SierpinskiNumber · 26/08/2014 22:15

I always offer a drink and I use naice coffee I'm also happy for anyone to use my guest loo.

I have given the postie bottles of cold water when it's really hot and I've recently made drinks for a council crew who were working on the road outside my house.

It's such an easy thing to do and I figure they appriciate it. I wouldn't worry if I couldn't do it but if I can I will.

Most people take me up on it, I guess I must look like I'm good at making tea or coffee.

Or should you offer a workman a drink?
TattyDevine · 26/08/2014 22:17

Thinking the iced water might have gone well on his personal self perhaps in retrospect

Selks · 26/08/2014 22:17

Yes, always offer a drink or drinks, if they are here all day. Biscuits or home made cake too. Not lunch though. That would feel a little awkward, unless I knew them well anyway.