Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Mim78 · 26/08/2014 22:18

I offer first cup and then show them where everything is to make there own, as if I am at home during the day (usually) it is because I am working from home and so can't make tea all the time. I would also leave some biscuits or similar open if I have them.

Obviously water as well as tea/coffee esp on a hot day. Would not offer lunch though, think that is a step too far.

However, ideally I prefer dh to offer them the tea as it feels less sexist!

If people are not home in the day I don't see why the housekeeper shouldn't let them in if he/she knows where things are and what needs doing. And presumably housekeeper can offer a drink just as easily as owners?

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

DP says he'd never accept lunch but decline politely. Would also only EVER use bathroom for number 1s. Just in case anyone was wondering.

OP posts:
Fourarmsv2 · 26/08/2014 22:22

Our solar panel fitters asked us to stop making them so many or they wouldn't get the job finished in time!

We've done pizza, bacon/sausage sarnies, beer and birthday cake in addition to the standard choc digestive!

Nokidsnoproblem · 26/08/2014 22:28

Does your husband go to work to make friends? Or to work?

hiimangelafernandez · 26/08/2014 22:32

Always.
If they are a 'job' person as in a few days, then I old show where bathroom is, offer hot & cold drinks and biscuits would be available.

If it's the washing. Machine person (2 days ago!) then they are i. The right room, it took 20 mins and offering a drink as they walk in (usually say no) is my limit.

I work all day and bring my own food and beverages, why would anyone else be different?!

Stratter5 · 26/08/2014 22:36

YY I've taken cold drinks out to other workmen too, and the dust men get hot chocolate if it's a particularly cold or snowy day. They do a horrible job, and I think they get overlooked a lot.

DaisyFlowerChain · 26/08/2014 22:39

Yes, always offer drinks and a snack plus a sandwich if it's lunch time and they are here all day. It's just good manners.

Always offer the positive a drink on harsh winter days too to take with him Grin

Stratter5 · 26/08/2014 22:42

Always offer the positive a drink on harsh winter days too to take with him

I find that quite negativist tbh, Daisy :(

scousadelic · 26/08/2014 22:43

I always offer a drink and have trained DCs (older) to do it when I am out but we are northerners.

A friend told me recently that she had been to stay with her sister down in that there London, she offered the window cleaner a drink and her exact words to me were "He said no in a way that suggested it was totally outrageous and looked at me as though I had asked him to roger me on the lawn"! Did make me laugh! Grin

BauerTime · 26/08/2014 22:44

Yeah always offer a drink. While ive been at home on mat leave i have offered the postman quite a few cold drinks too. The first time i did he was so grateful, as if i was the first person to ever do it. Now i think he hovers around my house and makes lots of noise on purpose to see if i come out.

Username12345 · 26/08/2014 22:44

It's polite to offer but YABU to expect it. It's not their responsibility to keep your H fed and watered.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 26/08/2014 22:44

Always. I've done home delivery and installation,; and while we might not have time it's nice to be asked because at some point we'll need it. We had the builders for 2 days last month: "Kettle, teabags, milk, sugar, instant, real, cafetiere, Bialetti. Just wash up when you're done".

Aeroflotgirl · 26/08/2014 22:49

Yes it's good manners to offer a drink or so, I always do to tradesmen.

DaisyFlowerChain · 26/08/2014 22:50

Oops postman, why on earth it autocorrect to that I don't know!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/08/2014 22:50

As part of my work, I go to peoples houses and Residential Homes/Nursing Homes.
In the houses, if I'm offered a drink , I smile and say "I'm fine thank you"

In the Residential Homes/Nursing Homes, I'm often there all day. (I get there while they;re having breakfast to set up and go through my list. I am there through lunch, usually updating my notes. I leave about 3.30 because I have to take eerything back to head office and update on computer)

Many times, they bring the Residents a cup of tea mid morning/ afternoon and don't bloody offer me one.
Sad

I have water and juice with me, but an offer would be nice.
(I'm NHS, it's not as though they are paying ££ for me to be there)

MrsSchadenfreude · 26/08/2014 22:58

Yes, absolutely - tea, coffee, cold drinks, home made cake or biscuits. Also offer lunch, but have never been taken up on the offer.

ICanSeeTheSun · 26/08/2014 23:02

My dad is coming home in an amazing mood recently, he is working in a residential area doing building work and the neighbours are offering tea/coffee and there is one lady who offers to toast their sandwiches and heat their pies/pasty.

In the years my dad has worked on the building sites he has never had this, he has even asked my mum to get a nice bunch of flowers and some wine to say thank you.

Preciousbane · 26/08/2014 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whois · 26/08/2014 23:24

When it was really bloody hot last year I offered the tesco delivery diver a glass of water and even out some ice cubes in it. He drank it, looked abut unimpressed and asked if I had any cold bottles of mineral water in the fridge he could take with him! Not in the habit of keeping bottles of water in the fridge when there is tap water available. Well cheeky.

Nancy66 · 26/08/2014 23:28

Yes I do.

I can sort of understand your husband not getting offered a drink if he's working on posh houses and dealing with housekeepers. They're employees, they're probably in the middle of their own work and your husband isn't there for them.

Darkandstormynight · 26/08/2014 23:29

Yes I always do. Back in the day my mum used to offer beer! I offer whatever I have in the house non alcoholic and if I have nothing I offer ice water.

nailslikeknives · 26/08/2014 23:33

I always offer a drink and I'm quite happy if they need the loo too?
My mum's phrase (with ref to my dad) was 'always keep the workers watered'.

Darkandstormynight · 26/08/2014 23:33

When we had our house painted and they were here for three days I'd offer the crew coffee twice a day as well. We'd all drink coffee together, and one of the painters, a bit rough around the edges, told me when he finished the job that I 'was a nice lady' and that felt so nice :)

nailslikeknives · 26/08/2014 23:33

Random ?
Dunno what that was about.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 26/08/2014 23:43

I do offer a cup of tea / coffee or a glass of water. If it's a longer job I'll show them where the things are so they can help themselves although I would probably make a drink when I had one myself anyway. I would also think it was reasonable of your DH to ask for a glass of water if he needs one.

I think popping a packet of biscuits with the tea things is a nice touch BUT I honestly think that having a vast array of cold drinks or offering lunch or home baked cakes is over the top.