Not saying hello to dog walker

[liferr]

My husband and I are both able to work from home a couple of times a week but we have a dog walker for consistency.

I mostly just shout hi to her or pretend I'm not in. Dh thinks I'm rude for not going up to dog walker and saying hello in person. Can't be arsed tbh. Especially if I haven't bothered to put my bra on!

Do you say hello every time?

Aibu?

So the days your husband works from home he goes and says hi and chats with her? And you call out hello and sometimes go and chat? I don’t see the problem.

I'd think it a bit rude tbh.

No, not rude. You're both working, she has somewhere to go. Mind you, I loathe small talk so putting myself in the dog walker's shoes I'd be happy to slip in and out unnoticed.

Condescending, ignorant and rude.

I think the dog walker will realise you are busy with work and be fine with it - it’s not like you’ve never interacted with her!

Also not professional of her to ‘shout’ to the dog, you should have a system in place for her to advise you of days off either by text or a written schedule.

You are being very rude, manners cost nothing.

I don’t think it’s rude. To do it every day is unnecessary. She’s there to walk the dog and probably wants t get on anyway. I know mine doesn’t have time to stop and chat.

I think acknowledging her with a wave/shout is fine.

You’re rude, dog walkers missing nothing.

Very rude and rather silly.

I think she sounds like she expects a greeting from you OP if she's making loud, exaggerated conversation with your dog in your earshot.

I agree. This sounds like a passive aggressive tactic from the dog walker to get you to at least acknowledge her presence.

A polite "hi, sorry I'm busy and can't talk right now" takes no time at all and is far more polite than pretending you are out.

Have you actually spoken to your dog walker about your problem? I have been a dog walker for nearly 15 years but until a couple of years ago all my clients were either out all day or retired. When I did start walking for someone who sometimes worked from home it was as awkward for me as it seems to be for you, until we spoke about it. Now I just go in as normal, usually call out something like 'just getting the dog' and leave. We're both working, we can chat later. Have a conversation with her, and then you can relax.

YANBU. I used to do this myself occasionally if I had a precious day at home and was slobbing around in PJs at lunchtime. Im sure the dog walker just wants to get in and out, so they won’t mind.

If you wanted to you could simply explain to the dog walker, when you see them, that sometimes you don’t nip out/ down to say hello because you’re working in your PJs. Then they’ll understand

My dog walker makes loud conversation with my dog! He leaps all over her and licks her and she tells him what other dogs are in the car, where they are going to day etc.. it’s pretty normal to talk to dogs.

Yes, I work from home and most days I could fit in a 20 minute dog walk. However my dog likes lots of long walks. I do an hour in the morning and his walker does an good hours pack walk in the afternoon. Dog loves it. I get paid a lot of money and the expense isn’t an issue. Dog is happy, I am happy. Why would I stop that and try and squeeze him into 20 minutes somewhere in the day?

I talk to my dog all the time. Also, I tend to do it in a loud voice. I don't really know why it has to be that loud. I think it is a strange dog owner thing.

I think she sounds like she expects a greeting from you OP if she's making loud, exaggerated conversation with your dog in your earshot.

I always had loud conversations with my clients’ dogs. In part it was in case someone is in, in case they wander in, in nothing but their dignity, or I just want them to know I’ve arrived, so they take a note of the time. It doesn’t mean I want them to talk to me. Anyway, most of us dog walkers have loud conversations with our wee furry clients, because we spend all day with them. I’ll be the middle aged woman, in the street, asking my dog what I should make for dinner, or telling it where we’re going. That’s what happens when you spend more time with dogs than humans and to be honest, they make more sense than sone of the humans I meet day to day. 😁

I also wouldn't like it if my hypothetical dog walker yelled out to me - if I'm on the phone with a client I don't want shouting in the background. She has a key for a reason. I have asked my cleaner to whatsapp me if she needs anything - I can usually send her a sneaky message back even if I'm on a call, whereas I can't stop for a chat.

I don’t think it’s rude. My dog walker comes when I’m working and I often don’t go and say hello because she literally opens the door, takes the dog and goes (he hears her coming so waits for her). I’d have to chase her down the street to say hi.

You’re working, she’s working. People suggesting you ought to drop everything and have a chat are barking (like what I did there?) If you had time for endless chats you’d have time to walk the dog yourself.

I've been a dog walker. Mostly you want to pick up the dog as quickly as possible as may have others waiting in vehicle, and have others to pick up. So I wouldnt find it rude no. A quick shout out hi, if it on the phone etc , is fine. I've known many dog walkers "complain" that owners want to have a chit chat; its fine if the walker has time to chat!

YANBU. I think it’s fine OP. Have had my dog walker for many years. If I see him when he arrives I say hi, often in the school holidays I’m busy with the kids so I just shout “hi” from wherever I am in the house. If I’m upstairs then he won’t be able to hear me so I don’t bother.
He provides a service, is paid well, my dogs “buy” him a Christmas gift every year. I don’t think he gets into the van muttering about how rude I am every day!

No not rude at all and I bet she prefers it too . Let her get on

I talk to mine if I’m about as otherwise that’s just rude but tbh if I’m in the office I don’t as I don’t even hear her and she just takes the dog. TBH I think she prefers the dog anyway so I doubt she would be that offended if I didn’t

You sum it up when you said you can’t be arsed. That is incredibly rude! I worked from home for a few years but you’re not chained to your desk for God’s sake! Health and safety applies to home working as well - so you never take a break? Never go into your kitchen to make a coffee or a sandwich? Of course, you never go to the toilet during your working hours!

Fair enough if you’re actually on the phone but it’s a matter of a couple of minutes to say hello or even pass a simple pleasantry like, ‘hope you’re well wrapped up, it’s cold out today’ or similar. Just treat her like a human being, it’s really not hard - unless of course you can’t be arsed.

No, you're not rude. Just because you're at home. you're still working. The whole point of purchasing the service is so that you can get on with your job. You say hello sometimes, and not other times. Most normal people would just think you were busy at that point and move on with their day. You don't have to get out the banners and ferrero rocher everytime someone comes to your door.

I get you, I'm the same. If Im in my night wear or scruffs and dp's family turn up unannounced or something such similar, I will hide upstairs until they are gone and won't say hello. I hate being around people unless I feel presentable, I'd definitely need my bra on, to feel comfortable. I also hate small talk. So no, I don't think you are being rude op, and tbh she prob prefers just being able to come and do her job promptly without the small talk too.