Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave a crate of beer for the bin men?

105 replies

HTKS · 03/12/2018 10:04

For Christmas?

Mum and Dad always left a crate of beer on top of the bin for the bin men at Christmas. I do the same but struck me it might be a bit old fashioned now. I think Dad thought they would have a tin or two on their round but that wouldn’t happen nowadays. And lots of people are now more into micro beers/kombucha/man buns/small batch gin rather that a tin or two of Stella.

If I AM BU, what else can I leave that’s not edible (foxes, and eating with binny hands must surely be a no-no) but easily shared? There a quite a few blokes on the crew.

OP posts:
Original poster
HTKS · 03/12/2018 11:21

The crew here is more like 6 and we also have I think 3 crews, which is another minefield as obviously the first crew take the beer.... just have to hope they all divvy up at the end!

I'm not too bothered by someone being Muslim/not drinking for health/not drinking for addition reasons. We all get gifts we can't use sometimes.

OP posts:
Original poster
HTKS · 03/12/2018 11:21

Quite a few of you seem to think it's a good idea.... I will probably just carry on then.

OP posts:
Original poster
HTKS · 03/12/2018 11:22

Krispy Kremes is a fab idea though, wish I could do that.

OP posts:
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 03/12/2018 11:23

lol at the thought of my bin men drinking kombucha 🤣 (totally misses point of thread)

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 03/12/2018 11:23

If you don't know if someone has a drinking problem or not, surely the best thing to do.is provide something that avoids that issue? Surely the whole point of giving a gift is to ensure that the receivers can enjoy it - not think, oh I can't be arsed to consider this and I have this beer hanging around so that will do.

The point about the mince pies and gastric sleeve is pretty fatuous but, taking it at face value, give them a tin of celebrations or similar. Even someone with a bypass can have ONE of those

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 03/12/2018 11:25

'm not too bothered by someone being Muslim/not drinking for health/not drinking for addition reasons. We all get gifts we can't use sometimes.

Hmm it would take 2 seconds to think of something they all could have.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 03/12/2018 11:27

I think it's the thought that counts op.
Don't over think it!

Original poster
HTKS · 03/12/2018 11:28

Yes it would be much better to give a tin of chocolates but it's pointless. The last time I put an EMPTY tin of Quality Street in the recycling box they had it out, dragged it half way down the road and punctured it with tooth holes. Admittedly they didn't get the lid off so had it been full I could have retrieved it but surely even the most devout of Muslims would decline chocolates from a fox toothmarked and drool covered tin?

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 03/12/2018 11:28

I'm not too bothered by someone being Muslim/not drinking for health/not drinking for addition reasons. We all get gifts we can't use sometimes.

Sorry OP - that completely invalidates the idea as far as I can see ... seems slightly against the spirit of Christmas Hmm Makes it seem like the gift giving is more about you, now ....

Original poster
HTKS · 03/12/2018 11:28

Maybe slab of Coke?

OP posts:
MulderitsmeX · 03/12/2018 11:29

Beer is a nice idea but something a bit nicer, maybe a pack of brewdog?
Mince pies also a good idea although wouod they be able to eat them there and then as their hands might be dirty, do bin men have hand sanitiser on board? I assume so.

I'll get my doormen something nice but non alcoholic personally (block of flats so bit hard to gift bin men) one is v religious (christian) so will avoid for him but that's only coz I know him.

i always think fortnum and mason biscuits or tea boxes are a nice idea too especially people who have staff rooms. Do bin men have tea rooms at their depot?

Original poster
HTKS · 03/12/2018 11:30

Well, it's a gesture. I don't know them, I can't possibly ensure this is the greatest gift they've ever received. I can't take on the responsibility for making sure they all absolutely love it.

OP posts:
Puggles123 · 03/12/2018 11:30

But you could argue that with anything- chocolate someone may be dairy free, mince pies gluten free etc. It’s a lovely idea to leave some beers, and I’m sure if someone can’t have them on the crew they’ll still appreciate the gesture.

AlaskanOilBaron · 03/12/2018 11:30

Not a nice message to a crew of 4, with one practising Muslim ? Or am I being ridiculous ?

I wouldn't worry too much about it either. Alcohol for Christmas is a completely standard gift, it's rude only if you could be expected to know that the person is teetotal. It is exceptionally kind to leave a gift for the bin guys in any case, as in most people don't do it.

I always give mine a card with a tip. They do a fantastic job, always cheerful come rain or shine, love my dog.

ribblerobble · 03/12/2018 11:31

I've wanted to do this (or similar) but, from a practical point of view, do you just literally just leave it on bin? If I did that there is a good chance it would be taken by someone walking past.

AlaskanOilBaron · 03/12/2018 11:32

I've wanted to do this (or similar) but, from a practical point of view, do you just literally just leave it on bin? If I did that there is a good chance it would be taken by someone walking past.

I'd hide it between bins, tie a bow around it, put a card that says 'bin collection team'

CocoCharlie83 · 03/12/2018 11:34

Great idea about the beer, don't mind the naysayers. It will all be split between them so people who don't drink can either take a different gift or take the beer and re-gift it.

Someone can find fault in any gift if you look hard enough. Mince pies - eating disorder, chocolate - lactose intolerant, any food - vegan, gluten, halal etc, any gift - not environmentally friendly. Some people just want to suck all of the joy out of everything and just look for the negatives.

Seniorcitizen1 · 03/12/2018 11:37

It is beyond my comprehension why you would give them anything - they get paid to do the job.

garethsouthgatesmrs · 03/12/2018 11:38

Gobbolinothewitchscat

hmm it would take 2 seconds to think of something they all could have go on then...

The OP is asking for ideas as she cant leave anything edible and it needs to be something they can share out. I can't think of anything better but you've had far more than two seconds now so whats your suggestion?

AlaskanOilBaron · 03/12/2018 11:39

It is beyond my comprehension why you would give them anything - they get paid to do the job.

Bah humbug. [santa]

mama17 · 03/12/2018 11:42

Whatever you decide I'm sure they will be very grateful. X

Vitalogy · 03/12/2018 11:43

It is beyond my comprehension why you would give them anything - they get paid to do the job. Maybe because Christmas is about giving among other things.

MissDorothyParker · 03/12/2018 12:00

Well, it's a gesture. I don't know them, I can't possibly ensure this is the greatest gift they've ever received. I can't take on the responsibility for making sure they all absolutely love it.

This is actually revelatory. It's a gesture! It doesn't have to be the greatest thing they've ever received.

whatnametouse · 03/12/2018 12:03

I think it’s a lovely idea

It’s easy to split up / keep clean / not worry what has happened to it before you got it

Those that don’t drink alcohol can say “no thanks” to alcohol on the dividing up and have more of the other gifts (eg mince pies) or take the alcohol and give it to visitors / neighbours / family

mumlost1940 · 03/12/2018 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Swipe left for the next trending thread