Or oversensitive? Electrician.

[UnicornGlitterTheBaneOfMyLife]

I called my local housing association as I was having problems with my washer. I said the switch on the socket wasn't working.

Guy turns up, we say hello and goes in the kitchen and I gesture to the 'socket'. He says 'that's not a socket... THAT'S a socket" pointing to the sockets where the kettles plugged in. (The thing I meant was the on/off switch)
I reply that I'm not an electrician and don't know the terminology.
He replies 'fuse box'
I was a little confused as he was so deadpan and said nothing else and it was all very fast. My head was still in the previous conversation.

He then goes "Wheres your fuse box?"

I show him and feel a bit uncomfortable now. He isn't friendly at all and standoffish.

He calls me in when he's finished.

I say 'Thankyou' and that I'll be glad to be able to get the washing finished and he says

"You know you could have just pulled the washer out and plug it in somewhere else"

I immediately feel a bit stupid and say I hadn't thought of that.

And his reply was "Was that a bit too A-Level for you? Bet you feel silly now" and started laughing

I have anxiety so I don't know if its that playing up or if he was rude?

Rude. And as someone who worked for a HA I'd call up and make a verbal complaint. Arse.

Rude. Perhaps he was trying to be funny and have a bit of banter (I hate that word) with you, but from what you have said in your OP it comes off as though he was rude.

Yes he was rude. Who wants to pull the machine out anyway to plug it in somewhere else?That's not a great solution. He probably feels inadequate in some way and makes himself feel better by trying to put people down. Don't even give him any more head space. If you need an electrician again, ask them to send someone else.

How very odd. Does he have ishoos?

Perhaps try the launderette next time.

Was that a bit too A-Level for you? Bet you feel silly now

I'd be making a report to the HA.

What a twat. How were you supposed to know the socket wasn't working?

I wouldn't even be able to get to the socket for my washing machine, so if the washing machine stopped working, I would assume it's something to do with the washing machine or its plug.

Yes, do complain. And make a written complaint I say.

He just sounds like someone who has no idea how to communicate with customers.

It's no reflection on you, forget it.

I was the A-Level comment that really bugged me. It's just so condescending.

Plugging it in somewhere else is not a long term solution. And washing machines are HEAVY if you have to move it to get to the plug. I would say complain.

On the otherhand, my overcautious DP would say don't complain, he is definitely a dick and knows where you live - just accept it and move on.

Definitely ask for somebody different if you need an electrician again.

Sounds like a catastrophic mismatch of social codes, maybe combined with flat rudeness. It happens sometimes, and if you have social anxiety it can be excruciating but you should try to take a deep breath and let it go.

Use it as an exercise. A man came in to my house and we had a really really awkward social interaction. But I got through it, it didn't kill me, and my washing machine works!

Probably his sense of humour... And obvs not yours...
Complain - he's a dick

I was the A-Level comment that really bugged me. It's just so condescending
I don't blame you for feeling shit about that. I don't respond well to implications I'm stupid and could imagine I'd either burst into tears or see red.

Definitely rude!

Really, the person on the phone should've asked you to try plugging it in somewhere else but that's a different matter to his attitude. He could've said 'for future reference, if something like this happens again don't forget you can try plug it in another plug while you're waiting for the repair.' (plus that makes sure it's the 'socket' and not the machine).

He is a patronising idiot and I think you should complain

And his reply was "Was that a bit too A-Level for you? Bet you feel silly now" and started laughing

This is the bit where he tips right over into arsehole territory.

It's irritating, but if you have anxiety you may not be the type to answer "No, I don't feel silly. Do you feel like a patronising, mansplaining cock?" and then sweetly.

He was incredibly rude.
I've started replying like this when workmen get arsey' well if I knew that I'd be fixing it myself wouldn't I?'
I would specify you don't want the same workman again and if they ask why tell them.

The A-level comment was definitely rude.

But plugging it in elsewhere would have been a temporary. The switch WAS broke. He replaced it.

He's clearly very socially inept. He is his own punishment. Just let it go.

Also the lead is at the back, and they aren't very long, and the waste pipe isn't that long either so probably wouldn't have reached to conect both

Condescending and rude.

Really rude! What an arse. No one should come into your home and belittle you.

The issue needs fixing it doesn't matter what it is or isn't called. The A level comment is outrageous.

Def complain about his attitude.

He was certainly rude, and I can see why it annoyed you - but I suspect it was more of a case of him just having terrible social skills and not really understanding how to pitch a humorous remark than anything else.

I certainly wouldn't bother making a complaint about it. He fixed the problem and that's that. Yes, he wasn't a particularly pleasant conversationalist and possibly a bit of a twat, but it's not the end of the world. I wouldn't bother to dwell on it.

He was rude. And you can't really plug a washer in somewhere else in a kitchen. But just forget about it.