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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To offer builders tea?

32 replies

Sneakysally · 08/07/2015 09:57

They are here for a couple hours fitting a door. I never usually offer because I only drink soya milk, have no sugar or orange juice. I'm very basic lol
Should I offer still or no?

OP posts:

Poledra · 08/07/2015 09:59

I always always offer workmen tea or coffee - it's good manners innit? Mind you, I only do it with our plumber if I've got half and hour to spare - he's a very chatty chap with a cuppa in his hand . Most folk, though, will continue working with their cuppa.

SoupDragon · 08/07/2015 10:00

Unless you have ordinary milk and sugar, offer only a cold drink.

WorraLiberty · 08/07/2015 10:01

Yes but warn them about the soya milk and no sugar

Marynary · 08/07/2015 10:15

Offer them a tea, but tell them you only have soya milk and no sugar.

Lateswim16 · 08/07/2015 10:18

Mmm couple of hours I wouldn't bother to shop for milk etc if I didn't use it myself.

Cold drink and plate of biscuits but it's not compulsory.

Big extension work another matter.

RachelRagged · 08/07/2015 10:19

YANBU

As others said though check if soya milk is ok with no sugar.

KoalaDownUnder · 08/07/2015 10:59

They won't want a tea with soy milk and no sugar.

But offer anyway, then you get the kudos of looking generous without the hassle of having to actually follow through.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 08/07/2015 11:01

We just started a loft extension on Monday

I can reliably advise that minimum sugar requirements to date are two spoons of sugar per cup. Plus no one has had black tea or coffee. So I'm not sure how many takers you'll have!

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 08/07/2015 11:05

I would buy milk and sugar if I knew they were coming. It's just basic human decency.

Childrenofthestones · 08/07/2015 12:40

My brother is a builder. He says you reap what you sow.
If you look after them with tea and bickies (nowt too extravagant) they go the extra mile for you in lots of little ways you probably will never see, but the job gets done with more love and attention.
Not to say they do a craps job if you don't, just that you get what's on the contract and no more.

OurDearLeader · 08/07/2015 12:47

They won't want tea with soya milk and no sugar

Yeah. Because all builders are one homogeneous block who all think and behave the same.

Offer them but warn it's soya milk. I know for a fact if my DH was your builder he'd take it (vegetarian, flirts with veganism) and quite a few of his colleagues wouldn't be averse to trying. And most of them don't take sugar anyway. It's not like the Freemasons, there isn't some sort of secret tea test before you're allowed to start banging things with a hammer.

Chebs · 08/07/2015 12:51

I normally make a round of bacon sandwiches with a tea or coffee, but that's normally because they are doing work out of 'normal' hours and friends of friends.

I would offer, but tell them of the soya milk, and give option of cold drink. Cant hurt to offer!

OnlyLovers · 08/07/2015 12:54

It's not like the Freemasons, there isn't some sort of secret tea test before you're allowed to start banging things with a hammer.

What a load of cliches being trotted out on this thread.

PatricianOfAnkhMorpork · 08/07/2015 12:55

"Always look after the trade" was what I was taught a long time ago and its stood me in good stead over the years. Always offer tea and biscuits, particularly chocolate digestives if you have them in. Will do anything for you after that and will generally work harder for you.

Our plumber goes through a lot of tea (two sugars) and has a penchant for grapes if we have any about. Our tree surgeon drinks gallons of cold drinks and likes custard creams.

Oh this also works in the corporate world too with senior execs - feed them and they will love you forever

OnlyLovers · 08/07/2015 12:56

I'd do anything for a chocolate digestive too and I'm neither a builder nor a senior exec.

Agrestic · 08/07/2015 13:02

I have builders in for the next 2 months. I make them a coffee when they arrive, another mid morning and maybe one after lunch if they ask.

Only one has two sugars. I don't take sugar, in fact I got it in just for them.

Yesterday I had no milk so one popped off to the shop to get some.

I'd offer if I were you, it's polite!

Agrestic · 08/07/2015 13:03

Oh god I don't offer biscuits!

I gave them ice pops when it was hot though...

PatricianOfAnkhMorpork · 08/07/2015 13:15

OnlyLovers

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 08/07/2015 14:34

I have also given Jaffa cakes so far this week which have gone down well. I'm going to do kitkats on Friday!

I do agree that you reap what you sow. I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old and am 20 weeks orsgbNt. Can't get the cars on the drive at the moment so parking quite fats down the street but scaffolders have carried in and out babies and shopping each time I've gone in and out so I only need to walk with the toddler which has been super helpful

TheHouseOnBellSt · 08/07/2015 14:43

My DH is a painter and decorator....a vegan one who loves soy milk and hates sugar.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 08/07/2015 14:52

I think, to be fair, no one is lumping builders etc into a homogenous mass. Just equating them with the general public where the general preference for soya milk is fairly low

BleachEverything · 08/07/2015 14:54

I would always offer something.

KoalaDownUnder · 08/07/2015 15:18

Oh god, I forgot; only on mumsnet could you cause offence by suggesting that a bunch of builders are unlikely to want soya milk lattes all round.

TheHouseOnBellSt · 08/07/2015 15:19

Well yes Koala why assume anything about someone else's tastes?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 08/07/2015 15:25

I make sure I have cow's milk in if I have anyone in to do work.

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