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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think workmen should plan their toilet breaks better?

192 replies

rockcake · 23/02/2017 21:56

I don't think I've ever had a workman come to the house who hasn't asked to use the loo. Happens every time.

For the last 10 days I've had neighbours' workmen in and out as it's been helpful to them to have scaffolding built in our garden - they're on the 3rd floor - which is fair enough. They've all been as unobtrusive as possible and not asked to use the loo until two particularly scuzzy men turned up to remove the scaffolding today. No sooner were they through the door than one asked to use the loo, so I grudgingly said ok.... dd told me 5 mins later that someone's not flushed their wee - no guesses who - so I flushed it for him.

They're about to leave when I see workman 1 directing workmen 2 to the loo, so I said "make sure you flush it please, your mate didn't...."

Workmen left looking sheepish - but Aibu to think workmen generally should try and use public loos whenever possible? I live in a busy street with 2 cafes only yards away and I always want to direct workmen there, but never summon the nerve to say it.

Am I a wimp - or just not very nice for HATING workmen using my bathroom? Even though I go in with the wipes and the bleach afterwards it still makes me cringe.

What do you do?

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 26/02/2017 14:04

@StealthPolarBear - you can come and use my loo any time.

beeblebroxx · 26/02/2017 14:29

AyeAyeFishyPie, You might not think you are being aggressive, but by throwing accusations about and having a defensive tone to your posts does give over that impression to others, and I don't think pointing out that there are people with medical conditions they can not help is lack of common sense! surely that is having common sense!
As for the disclaimer comment, maybe just be a little more thoughtful before you write, that should be sufficient, just making statements like There is also the constant obsession on here with cleanliness and germs. Why on earth would anyone need to bleach straight after someone using their loo? It smacks of snobbery and classism might give over the wrong impression. Sorry I pricked your conscience. Something we agree on though, it is hard work on here, but we probably think that for different reasons Wink

StealthPolarBear · 26/02/2017 14:33

Thabks but I poo in the woods :o

Original poster
rockcake · 26/02/2017 14:40
Grin
OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 26/02/2017 16:43

I think my idea of a website is brilliant.
pooinmyloo.org

expatinscotland · 26/02/2017 16:47

I think that's an excellent idea, Stealth, and it can be registered on TripAdvisor so people can leave reviews, 'Loo did not contain a basket of hotel toiletries' 'Loo did not contain a basket of san pro' 'Was not given a cup of tea and bacon roll upon exiting loo'.

I wonder how many who would offer their loo to anyone who knocked are also shoes off people?

StealthPolarBear · 26/02/2017 16:48

We would also have to register leavealoginmybog.org

expatinscotland · 26/02/2017 17:34

'No loo brush!' 'Was not allowed to use en suite toilet facilities.' 'Bacon roll and tea, but no selection of biscuits!' 'Wasn't offered sandwich to take home.'

teresa2003 · 26/02/2017 18:51

Judging by some of the comments on here l am starting to realise why my builder DH always comes home from work and almost knocks me over in his rush to the loo. Also from what l understand these men were on OPs property to remove scaffolding they had erected there with her permission. So they were working on her property at the time and it is not a ten minute job taking scaffolding down and can take hours.

Original poster
rockcake · 26/02/2017 19:02

teresa
No, it was def only a 10-15 min job taking scaffolding down, these guys weren't the ones who were doing the job all week, and the first one (non flusher and splasher) asked on arrival at 8.30. Also I gave permission to neighbours, not the workmen themselves..... if that makes a difference.... not sure, but even if I was being a tad U about this, so were they imo

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 26/02/2017 19:09

'So they were working on her property at the time and it is not a ten minute job taking scaffolding down and can take hours.'

Only because she was gracious enough to her neighbour to allow it, which she did not have to if the work was not essential to the structure or function to the property, she was certainly not obligated to offer a loo to whomever the neighbour was employing.

mycavitiesareempty · 26/02/2017 19:18

If I'd employed people to work in my house, no problem at all using the loo. If employed by neighbours and not known to me then I'd let them use but supervise their access. Not worried about germs. Am worried about randomers in my house from a safety and security perspective.

Original poster
rockcake · 26/02/2017 19:30

stealth
Like the leavealoginmybog idea....

Perhaps we should have signs like the Santa Stop Here ones the kids put out at Christmas... "Workmen Plop Here" with a pic of a workman bending over, jeans at half mast and half a mile of builders crack on show.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 26/02/2017 22:15

Definitely. Coming soon to a Facebook selling site near you.

teresa2003 · 27/02/2017 00:22

Yes l get they were working for the neighbour but they came to do something on the OP's property and for whatever reason (journey there maybe) on arrival they needed to use a loo. They were probably not involved with the work next door as were only involved with the scaffolding company so had no reason to go in next door three floors up, at all throughout the work. lt probably never occurred to them to go into the next door building up to the third floor and so on when their only involvement as scaffolders was at OP's house.

Underbeneathsies · 27/02/2017 01:14

Rockcake. You need to practice saying, "no, you can't use this loo, there's a loo in that cafe next door." Repeat until it's second nature.

I think it's just disgusting that workmen expect to be allowed to piss on your floor, leave shit streaks, not flush, not leave the loo lid as they found it, and leave filthy hand marks on the towels.

Ffs get a backbone people and stop bending backwards to accommodate grown men with appaling hygiene and mysigonistic, lazy habits.

Stop people pleasing and suit yourselves!
If you don't want them there, tell them where to go.

If you don't mind cleaning up after grown men who couldn't give a shit about you, then by all means carry on, but I have to wonder about your self esteem.

BadLad · 27/02/2017 01:38

Builders/workmen/roofers usually start work at 8am. Most people on the planet have a poo in the morning. Workmen usually don't have the time.

What utter bollocks this is.Grin

BarbaraofSeville · 27/02/2017 07:02

There's always someone who comes on saying 'I poo at 7.13 on the dot every morning before I leave for work so everyone else must be the same', which is obviously total bollocks because, firstly I would be extremely surprised if 'most people' had a regular daily shitting time and secondly even if they did, it is quite likely that a lot of people need to go work before they need a shit, hence needing to go when they arrive at work, wherever that is.

PossumInAPearTree · 27/02/2017 07:16

Well coffee makes me poo. First coffee of the day does anyway. Not every coffee.

So if someone always had a strong cup of coffee at 7am then maybe they would always poo at 7:13. I'm literally needing to go as I get to the end of the mug.

CPtart · 27/02/2017 07:17

I always offer workmen a bru so I certainly don't begrudge them using the loo. As an ex district nurse spending several hours from the office, I've used patients' loos many a time. What on earth else are you supposed to do??

StealthPolarBear · 27/02/2017 07:20

Cp you're meant to use the loo in the house you're actually working on surely?

WaitrosePigeon · 27/02/2017 07:40

BadLad, not really. It can't be bollocks if I have a husband who is a workman and who also has 17 employees Grin

WaitrosePigeon · 27/02/2017 07:53

There's always someone who comes on saying 'I poo at 7.13 on the dot every morning before I leave for work so everyone else must be the same', which is obviously total bollocks because, firstly I would be extremely surprised if 'most people' had a regular daily shitting time and secondly even if they did, it is quite likely that a lot of people need to go work before they need a shit, hence needing to go when they arrive at work, wherever that is.

You are quite right.

I feel quite sorry for my husband sometimes. It must be horrible walking out the door knowing you need to do. He's often so busy in the morning having having to pick up materials or leaving the house at 6.30am to get where he needs to be for 8am. Thankfully he always has very nice customers Smile

StealthPolarBear · 27/02/2017 08:07

Most people are dashing around in the morning!

WaitrosePigeon · 27/02/2017 08:19

Exactly!

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