Or should you offer a workman a drink?

[Azquilith]

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?

[Sunna]

I used to but don't now. I made 2 workmen a cup of coffee and they stopped work to drink it.

When the bill arrived I was charged for 2 hours because they went 5 minutes into the second hour. If I hadn't made them a drink I'd have saved money.

[Pastperfect]

"Offer the use of the toilet"

Frankly I wouldn't be employing an adult who was not capable of making his own proactive request if he needed a wee wee

[rainbowinmyroom]

No. They are there to work not socialise. What if the occupier is at work themselves? The housekeeper has a job to do, too.

[bonkersLFDT20]

I always offer a drink, and as I work from home, if I see someone doing work in a neighbours house and know they are out I will often offer them a cup of tea as well. Just nice innit.

[rainbowinmyroom]

This is why a lot of people now use foreign tradesmen, mad, as they don't expect to be coddled like nursery children with goodies and treat their paid employment as just that.

[furcoatbigknickers]

I always offer a drink unless I will be their way getting it , tiny kitchen. I don't offer snacks!! However, I will do if we go ahead with major house plans.

[BucktoothedGirlinLuxembourg]

Yes, I offer drinks and use of loo. Not lunch though.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Rainbow how ling does it take to get them a water?

[vladthedisorganised]

Of course! The minute they step in the door I'll put the kettle on and have a plate of biscuits ready. A couple of cans will be in the fridge if it's hot - I don't drink pop but keep some in for visitors.

Why wouldn't you? (proffers a plate of samosas Mrs-Kumar-style to hapless workman with a 'do these Londoners not feed you then?')

[Turquoisetamborine]

My mam would be mortified if I didn't offer drinks and food at regular internals.
My H is very uncomfortable with it though, I practically have to force him to offer a cuppa. He had a very different upbringing to me though.

[hmc]

MsVestibule - if people want to employ a housekeeper then that's their own business, but a tradesman's entrance is a vile, elitist concept which smacks of a disdainful 'great unwashed' attitude towards visiting workmen (and women). The Tradesman's entrance should stay in the 18th/ 19th century.

[soaccidentprone]

Always offer drinks. Sometime biscuits, but depends what I have in. Only polite surely, especially if working in your home for a while.

I offer everyone a drink, apart from the window cleaner!

We has solar panels fitted last week, plus other builder fitting new guttering at the same time. Had to send ds2 over to the the co-op for more milk!

[however]

I've never offered food. I don't offer hot drinks, but would offer cold water on a hot day. Of course they can use the bathroom.

I don't treat them as a guest, they aren't one.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

Yes I offer a cuppa if thery're going to be half hour or so.

[MehsMum]

Yes, always: tea or coffee or (if hot) a cold drink. If they opt for tea, they get a choice of PG or Earl Grey.

I sometimes put out biscuits too, but in the past all offers of lunch have been politely declined so I don't ask any longer.

Years ago, when it was still legal to burn stubble, there was a massive stubble fire on a farm near here, with all the engines called out to deal with it. The farmer rocketed in the firemen's estimation when he appeared with a crate or two of beer.

[Legionofboom]

I wouldn't normally offer drinks unless someone was here for a couple of hours or more.
I never offer food.
I don't mind them using the bathroom but I wouldn't offer it. I would expect them to be able to ask if they needed it.

[thatniceperson]

I always offer but they never say yes!
Recently had someone in doing the plastering and he worked from 8-7, no break, no lunch (or maybe he ate his lunch upstairs?) no toilet break.... I felt like he was scared of disturbing me, he didn't speak much English and seemed nervous everytime I offered him a drink! I felt really bad for him, he did a bloody good job and worked so hard!

[OfaFrenchMind]

If there is a tradesman entrance, that's exactly what it should be used for, I see no problem with that. they are not guests, of inhabitants, they are here to do a job.

However, the offer of a drink (or two, or three...) seems like the most basic human courtesy. I'm not talking about a beer, or anything fancy, but water, tea, coffee or soda go a long way toward somebody health and comfort.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I offer drinks to anyone doing work in/on my house. I even have special cups

Dreams of a housekeeper

[QuintessentiallyQS]

Yes, but I am always slightly surprised that workmen dont realize that they have a long working day ahead of them, and think to bring their own....

[BlueBrightBlue]

I always offer a drink and buy wrapped cakes and biscuits as the family don't eat sweet stuff.
I'd be hacked of though , if I was charged for the time they spent drinking or eating.
Had a new boiler fitted recently and sent the fitters away with a bag of pakoras which they loved and apparently a rarity in Cheshire?

[Curlyweasel]

Depends. If they're good looking polite and helpful then yes - coffee or tea. Surly miserable gits don't get offered anything. Nobody gets offered food.

[Gumnast2014]

I kinda disagree with everyone offering drinks.

I do and have but just thinking about it. Can he not just take a packed lunch and water.

Find it odd the op is so outraged for her grown up husband

(Ducks)

[Purpleroxy]

I also find it strange that a tradesperson would not take water and packed lunch with. It's not like it's a surprise to get hungry and thirsty.

I can't see what's wrong with using a tradesman entrance when you are a tradesman. Although I have never seen or heard of anyone in RL having one. I have a side door to my kitchen and if it's a washing machine problem, I let them in there as the machine is right by the door. Perhaps this is rude or wrong?! Was I supposed to lay a red carpet from the front door?

I do offer tea because they might like a cup of tea and it's customary and polite but that's really it.

I'm sure slebs have had loads of problems with people snooping or telling the press about their business. Not surprised he has to sign a disclaimer. Perhaps all the paid housekeepers are there to keep some privacy and anonimity for the rich and famous.

[whatever5]

I offer a drink if they are in the house for more than an hour. Otherwise I would only offer if I was having one myself. I'm surprised that some people offer food!

I don't think it is something people should do though.