to not go out specially to buy teabag just because the gasman is coming in the morning?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

DH is in a huff. I went to make a cup of tea 20 mins ago and got a bit annoyed with myself because we had run out of teabags and I'd been to Tesco for a few bits on the way home from work and forgotten to get some. DH sent a text with a couple of shopping items in but teabags was sent as a separate one and I didn't notice because I was driving.

So...no teabags but I thought I'd just get some on the way home from work tomorrow instead. But DH had a go because he said the gasman will need a cup of tea in the morning. "He can have coffee or a glass of water instead. I don't want to have to de-ice the car again just to get fecking teabags for the gasman. He'll live."

DH doesn't even drink tea himself but insisted that it was polite to make sure we have tea available to any visitors including tradesmen. So he huffed and puffed when I stuck to my guns and told him to get them himself if he was so bothered. And out he went.

Completely trivial non-issue in the grand scheme of marital life but I'm just so surprised by his insistence that it was so essential to the gasman's happiness!

Should I have gone out and bought some especially?

It's nice to offer them but if you don't have any in the house, they should accept what you have

Ps Tesco is a 5 min drive away. Corner shop 2 mins.

It wouldn't even occur to me to offer the gasman a cup of tea, unless he was doing something like replacing the boiler so was going to be there hours. And I'm stereotypically Irish so my first words were practically "would you like a cup of tea".

He'a putting a smart meter in. DH is the one staying off work to be here for him.

vvviola! DH's mum is like Mrs Doyle from Father Ted. She actually takes offence if I refuse a cup of tea, doesn't care that it makes me uncomfortable having a drink when I don't need or want one just to make sure she doesn't have a mrs Doyle breakdown.

I think that'a where DH gets his tea issues! And probably why he hates tea himself now!

I wouldn't have either but your hubby is sweet

I always offer and haven't been refused yet

Is your husband Irish

He's Scouse, which is near enough.

You do realise all you tea offerers are causing massive trauma to those poor MNers who have issues around people using their toilets....

Where's the connection? They don't piss in their teacup. Well, I hope not.

I hate coffee, but drink tea. Last time the gas man was in I asked if he would like tea or coffee. He said coffee and off I went to make it, only to have to back and tell him it was tea or nothing. So I can see where your DH is coming from. But you're also quite right to send him to get it himself if you're not bothered. Let's hope the gasman has a cup!

Is it bad of me to want the gasman to tell DH tomorrow that he only drinks coffee?

I'm in the opposite boat - flooring fitter coming tomorrow (will be here most of the day) and i only have tea. We never drink coffee and only ever have it in for visitors, and the last jar got chucked recently when I realised it'd gone crusty. Hope he's a tea drinker!

I always offer tea to everyone who comes to the house, even if they're only going to be there a few minutes. However, if I'd run out (although I'm actually so tea-obsessed that it would never happen) I'd just apologise and say sorry, we just ran out of tea bags that morning but I could offer them coffee or a cold drink.

I knew I was being the rational one!

Thanks all, goodnight.

Are: he's a stubborn sod so may tell me if he chose coffee in about a week's time.

Arf, I meant!!

The thought of not having tea in the house is starting to make me feel a bit anxious now tbh.

I would want to have teabags in if workmen were coming over - but coffee only will suffice, you are still offering a hot drink after all.

I always offer workmen a hot drink and will give to them with a plate of biscuits. If it's a long job i.e. over six hours will offer toast or sandwiches too.

littlesally - I ran out of tea recently and had to buy 3 boxes to stock up. I gaze fondly at them in passing.

YANBU. I would elaborate with an example of my non-offering of tea but I fear I may be vilified as an example for others to heed a grave warning.

No idea why I reckoned I should use the word example twice in one sentence.