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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed when my clients are still in pjs when I turn up for work?

336 replies

missjenniferhoney · 14/12/2014 22:36

I'm a self employed domestic cleaner, have been for a number of years. I've recently taken on a few new clients (since Oct/Nov) and have been surprised to turn up to work at their homes to find them still in nightwear. It happened at 2 appointments last week, both at 9.30 in the morning. I turn up at the same time on the same day each week, so I'm not unexpected, and I always knock on the front door for them to let me in before using my own key as I think it is just polite. I honestly didn't know how to react, so just ignored it and got on with the cleaning after a quick 'Good morning, how are you?'

AIBU to wish they would get dressed before I arrive?

OP posts:
TeenageWildlife · 14/12/2014 22:48

Are we talking wildly see through nighties here?

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 14/12/2014 22:49

I work from home. My uniform is pyjamas.

I talk to my accountant, my lawyer and my GP all while similarly attired.

My mortgage broker I usually take out on the piss because she's a good friend, so I'm usually dressed. At least for the first cocktail Wink

BIWI · 14/12/2014 22:50

How on earth is it disrespectful? It is their own home, and they are entitled to be dressed in what ever way they wish. My cleaner comes two days a week and, when I was working from home, often I would still be in my PJs because I was still working.

If I thought my cleaner was judging me because I was wearing my PJs, despite the fact that I was still working, I'd be really annoyed.

Santaslittleblowupdoll · 14/12/2014 22:53

I actually can spend days in my pjs but if someone was coming I would get dressed.

HumpsLumps · 14/12/2014 22:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nocoolnamesleft · 14/12/2014 22:54

If I've been on nights, my cleaner has caught me in pjs more than once. Of course, the first time she saw me in pjs I was in a hospital bed, and she'd come to visit and find out what she should bring me from home. She's a total sweetie. The biggest problem if I'm in when she comes is that we get chatting....

Mintyy · 14/12/2014 22:55

I agree with you cricketpitch.

ThereIsAPartridgeInTheKitchen · 14/12/2014 22:55

YABVU. It's their PJ's in their own home. What's the big deal? It's not like they're nude Confused.

I will happily stay in my PJs all day.

ravenAK · 14/12/2014 22:56

I think the difference is that your appointment is with the house, not the householder.

If I had a cleaner (sporadically consider it, but the dc always reckon they'd rather do it for pocket money) I'd let her/him in, then get out of the way & let them crack on.

I honestly can't see that a brief friendly exchange on the doorstep as the client lets you in requires them to be dressed, whereas if you were coming round to have a meeting with a client (eg. if you were offering financial advice or a builder discussing a job they wanted you to do) I'd agree it's a probably a bit weird for one side of the meeting to be in its onesie.

Toughasoldboots · 14/12/2014 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UmizoomiThis · 14/12/2014 22:58

It would be disrespectful if you were coming for a meeting or to do a task that required interaction with you (and they didn't bother to dress or brush their teeth). But they let you in and then stay out of your way as much as possible to enable you to do your job.

Original poster
missjenniferhoney · 14/12/2014 22:59

Thanks for the replies. If I was expecting anyone to come into my home for any reason, I would make sure I was dressed before they arrived. I too, can happily spend majority of the day in my pjs, but if I knew someone was coming over I'd throw on a pair of jeans and a hoodie. My DSis thinks it is disrespectful too, and lazy. Just thought I'd get MN's view on it!

OP posts:
needaholidaynow · 14/12/2014 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ghostyslovesheep · 14/12/2014 23:01

you are coming to clean the house though - you aren't there to 'see' them

I worked in hotel house keeping for a while - trust me PJ's where never the issue Grin

you job (and mine) was to clean and not get in the way - just get on with it

You aren't there to interact and they are at home relaxing

but obviously if your Dsis thinks the same way you do you are right and everyone else is wrong ...so why ask?

IAmNotAPrincessIAmAKahleesi · 14/12/2014 23:02

Somedays I can't get dressed at all no matter who might be in the house. It doesn't make me disrespectful or lazy it just makes me disabled

ghostyslovesheep · 14/12/2014 23:02

DD3 was in the bath when Father Christmas came down our street Friday ...she waved to him nude and wrapped in a towel ...

OddFodd · 14/12/2014 23:03

I agree with you OP. It would make me v uncomfortable (unless there's a disability)

DustInTheWind · 14/12/2014 23:04

Wouldn't occur to my OH, he often works through the night and then potters in his dressing gown whilst the virtuous 9-5 types tut. Several posties have commented on it.
Why can't you just do the job you are paid to do, instead of fussing about them being 'disrespectful'?
To me that would mean treating you with indifference, not talking to you or offering you a brew. Or expecting you to clean seriously filthy things, or them having a loud and joyful early morning shag with you in the house.

GraceFox · 14/12/2014 23:04

You're working in a domestic environment ie their home, so they can dress how they like. But if you must cast about for a reason why anyone would wear pyjamas at home after a time which you deem appropriate, maybe some of the people concerned have chronic illness of some sort, which makes them tired, or a poor sleep pattern, or they work shifts. Or maybe they just feel comfier in PJ's. live and let live.

DustInTheWind · 14/12/2014 23:04

Perhaps you aren't in the right job?

BuggersMuddle · 14/12/2014 23:05

YABU - it's not a meeting so no comparison with a lawyer or accountant turning up. I get my shopping delivered & tonight it turned up at 8pm and I was in my (perfectly respectable) Jack Wills flannel pjs. I don't see the problem as long as they are decent (ie not flashing).

Mintyy · 14/12/2014 23:08

ghosty - I agree with op too and I am not her sister. There have been one or two others on the thread. No need to be so snippy with her. I would feel "wrong" if I weren't dressed when my cleaner was here, like I couldn't be bothered because she was just the cleaner. She is in her work environment, even if I am in my home environment.

Cooki3Monst3r · 14/12/2014 23:08

OP I do kind of get where you're coming from on this.

However, if they're just letting you in, that's not quite the same as not bothering to be clean and dressed before you sit down for a chat. And 9:30 is still morning - I can well imagine that being enough time to get up, have breakfast, feed the cat, put a wash on and do a quick pre-clean tidy up. Then it's time to let the cleaner in and jump in the shower while she's works downstairs. I can see that being a good plan really.

But if this is a first for these two clients, maybe it's just been a bad week.

LittleBearPad · 14/12/2014 23:11

Pjs largely cover as much as clothes so I'm not sure what the issue is.

itsonlysubterfuge · 14/12/2014 23:11

I'm always in PJ's whenever someone comes to my house. I only get dressed for going out. Hope this helps! Grin

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