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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be hiding from the window cleaner

35 replies

flitwit99 · 22/02/2019 11:08

Got the kids to school, went to the gym, drove home looking forward to an hour of sitting on the sofa watching tv, turned into our street and saw the window cleaners car.

So I can’t possibly slob on the sofa while he cleans the windows all around me. Our downstairs is quite open plan so I would be seen from many windows.

Also his social skills are not great. He talks like he’s following a script, like someone has once said to him “look for something to compliment about a person as a conversation opener”. In the past he has said “I like your gate”. Plain black metal gate, been there for the 15 years we’ve lived here. “I like your doorbell. Did you choose it yourself?”

Or he will say “I saw you sitting on the sofa” or “I saw you were cooking in the kitchen”. He’s not being creepy, again it’s like a slightly scripted conversation. Comment on something someone is doing as a conversation opener.

But he’s harmless, he’s just trying to earn a living, he does a good job, I don’t want to clean my own windows. I just don’t want to have to chat to him or lie about watching tv and seeing his face cleaning the windows. He also has to acknowledge me every single time he sees me. So every time I look up and see his cheery face through the glass he will wave and smile at me.

I usually try not to be in while he is here but I forgot he was coming today.

So I am in my car just round the corner hoping he is nearly finished. I need to stop being ridiculous and go home. Tell me to stop being ridiculous and go home.

OP posts:
izekiah · 22/02/2019 11:10

stop being ridiculous and go home ! Smile

proton · 22/02/2019 11:11

Hide in the loo or go out. I don't like mine either although he isn't even thorough at cleaning the bloody windows

Bambamber · 22/02/2019 11:11

Hiding from someone is exactly the same sort of thing I would do Grin

I once woke up just as the dog walker was due, so I hid upstairs for over a full hour until they had picked my dog up and then dropped her off again. I was literally sat with the curtains drawn and not making a single noise

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 22/02/2019 11:11

Go home, hoover naked..
Give the poor bloke a topic of conversation!!

TheyCalledHerPatience · 22/02/2019 11:13

I would do exactly the same Grin
My previous window cleaner once came round, didn't get an answer at the door and started cleaning them anyway.

Both of us were surprised when I went into the bedroom having finished my shower but not yet dressed...

BreconBeBuggered · 22/02/2019 11:14

Borrow my dog. He hates window cleaners. There's no possibility of conversation, stilted or otherwise.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/02/2019 11:14

Sounds like he’s trying to be friendly but not making a particularly good job of it.

You sound pretty judgemental yourself tbf.

Chelseajunior · 22/02/2019 11:15

I hate this.
I'll be randomly sat on the sofa and see my window cleaners face pop through the window. So I'll get up and make myself look busy avoiding whatever room he is cleaning.
Don't know why but it's awkward lol.

PhilomenaButterfly · 22/02/2019 11:16

Stop being ridiculous and go home!

HoptoitDufflepuds · 22/02/2019 11:16

Yanbu if you're not comfortable having conversation with him.

My trick is to make mine a cuppa, pop outside and make brief small talk before going in and letting them get on with it. Front blinds closed (vertical) and on the seat where I can't be seen from the back windows.

Otherwise I feel obliged to look busy!

LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag · 22/02/2019 11:22

My window cleaner caught me on the shitter the other day so I'll need to hide from him forever now.

BrizzleMint · 22/02/2019 11:25

Go out for lunch and treat yourself.

AmethystRaven · 22/02/2019 11:25

You've just reminded me of when me and my siblings used to cram in the downstairs loo whenever the window cleaner came! I remember being really scared Confused Grin

Catsandbootsandbootsandcats · 22/02/2019 11:27

I used to close all the curtains when the window cleaner came round. We lived in a block of flats so I'd see him doing the others first, I wouldn't shut them in his face.

Also, I'm messy, so I didn't want him judging my piles of crap.

winsinbin · 22/02/2019 11:28

My window cleaner came yesterday and I spent the time sitting on the stairs with a book and a cup of coffee as it was the only place I could hide from him.

HeyThoughIWalk · 22/02/2019 11:37

People make their window cleaners cups of tea?! Mine just cleans the windows, he's been and gone in 5 minutes, waves in if he sees me, and that's it. Brief chat when he comes to collect his money a few days later.

I used to hide when he was there, because I felt self-conscious, but now I have kids, they delight in chasing him round the house, waving at every window!

Toooldtocareanymore · 22/02/2019 11:37

this made me laugh, I have a picture of you going home him saying something like I like your car , you replying with I like your ladder did you pick it yourself. Go he wont be long do some chores like put a load of washing on so when he's gone you can really relax for the hour knowing chores are done.

DarlingNikita · 22/02/2019 11:38

I feel you, OP.

I'd go to a cafe for an hour and read.

BiscuitDrama · 22/02/2019 11:42

Surely the first rule of window cleaning is ‘Dont Look In The House’!

spiderlight · 22/02/2019 11:46

I'd be the same. I have a window cleaner coming next week to do a one-off clean after building work and I know I'll end up fleeing through the house like a ninja trying to avoid him. I am already practising my 'No thank you, we don't want a regular clean!' speech.

Tiptopj · 22/02/2019 11:46

Ha ha I thought this was just me that did this. I usually draw the bed room curtains and hide upstairs. I also feel very uncomfortable when workmen/tradesmen are in to do a job. I'm not comfortable making small talk and I don't want them to feel like I'm watching over them Mrs Bouquet style so off to the bedroom it is!

NotTheFordType · 22/02/2019 11:51

@Toooldtocareanymore
"I like your ladder did you pick it yourself"
I'm dying

If my window cleaner was due (I'd usually hear him doing next door so had a bit of warning) and I didn't happen to be working from home, I'd sit at my PC/laptop with a serious expression on my face and just smile and nod once. He wasn't the chatty type though.

When I had a cleaner I used to try to be out the house when she arrived because I knew otherwise we'd be chatting and she'd not get half of it done in the allotted time.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 22/02/2019 11:51

Surely the first rule of window cleaning is ‘Dont Look In The House’!

I can't believe that for a minute!

We had a horrible window cleaner once (and I mean once). He slagged off all his other customers and their houses - so I assume he would slag off me and mine as well. He came back but refused to accept that I'd told him not to. Really unpleasant guy.

Thesearmsofmine · 22/02/2019 11:53

I hate being home when they come, I can’t even hide as my dc follow them around the house.

SaturdayNext · 22/02/2019 12:00

Don't stop being ridiculous, grab a book/paper/magazine and go out to your nearest café for a leisurely coffee.