Tradesman asking for a sandwich

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

I’ve had a tradesman working on the outside of my property today. Got here about 11.30, job was about a couple of hours worth of work. About 1200 I went out and asked if I could get him a tea or coffee. He answered “Tea, white with two please, would you be able to knock me up a cheese sandwich while your there?”
Now, admittedly I’m rubbish at saying no at the best of times and I wasn’t expecting this so obliged, even returning to check if he would like pickle/tomato etc with it.”
Dp thinks I’ve lost the plot and he was being grabby and to be honest I’ve only ever made drinks with the odd biscuit before, the only exception being when we had an extension built which was a much longer project and I outdone make them bacon sandwiches on a Friday morning if I wasn’t working.
Would you have made a sandwich?

No. I've asked him to pick me a cake up when he went to the shops to get his sarnie. Cheeky beggar!

I’m not sure what my response would have been but I’ve had loads of tradespeople do work and none have ever asked for food! They always bring their own but generally accept any offer of brews and biscuits.

Yes. I don't know anyones personal circumstances and even if they're working they might still be struggling. If someone doing a job in my house asked me for something to eat then I'd feed them.

I always offer a sarnie or biscuits but never have I been asked for one. CF!

Would he have asked your husband the same question?

He might have forgotten his lunch. A cheese sandwich - bread, spread, cheese, I could manage that. Wouldn't be impressed if he asked every day he was there though. Tradesmen I use either bring their own or go to the local shop for pasties or the chip shop both less than 5 minutes walk away.

I would have been taken aback by it too and would have ended up making it. Im kinda stuck between thinking he's a cheeky tucker and admiring his audacity.

Crack on with the butty love, and stop moaning.

Of course not. He’s a grown adult; he can sort his own food out.

I'm aware that I'm in the minority but whenever I have people doing big jobs (so a whole day or longer), I always make lunch. Rolls and stuff, or stews and puff pastry, or chunky soups or whatever. I did a roast chicken once for the guys doing my garage. But I offer it, because I have the time. If anyone just turn round and said "knock me up a sandwhich" then I wouldn't be doing it for them.

It depends on circumstances. I’d have asked him if he’d forgotten his lunch. I wouldn’t expect to provide it but if he asked politely for something (not specifying a particular item) and said he’d accidentally left his at home today, I probably wouldn’t mind. He’s a CF to give you a specific order, mind. He’d be out of luck in my house anyway, as I don’t buy blocks of cheese for sandwiches. No one in my house eats it, I only buy cheese for specific recipes/meal planning. There’s always a block of Parmesan in the fridge but it’s shite in a sandwich.

I know a lot of trades people have loads in the family etc and If they were asking for food I know it would be genuine not just cheeky

This made me laugh...i had new windows fitted recently and i made them all bacon sarnies but id have been annoyed if they'd asked me...i do think hes a bit cheeky

That's so rude. The repair men from my work aren't even allowed to accept drinks or be in the same room as clients due to covid

Well you’ve done it on this occasion so that’s behind you.

But I’d say no next time, if he asks again.

I’d set them up with a kettle, tea, coffee etc and a box of biscuits at the beginning of the day, and tell them to help themselves.

It's what my dad always did. Always cooked a proper lunch for workmen so I just do it too. I only realised it was totally weird from mumsnet. Some people even think it's cheeky of them to want a hot drink or use the toilet.

I have never been asked for this before and to be honest, I’d have done as you’d have done and said yes. I suspect most people would do. It’s really hard to say no when put on the spot like that. I guess that’s how he gets fed. He just asks..😂

Even if they are their all day they need to take their own or go shop.

@Downtothelastbottleofwine

No. I've asked him to pick me a cake up when he went to the shops to get his sarnie. Cheeky beggar!

But if you wouldn’t be prepared to make him a sandwich, why on Earth would he get you a cake??

I’d be taken aback but I’d have done it. He clearly asked for the simplest/ cheapest thing he could and you never know when someone is struggling.

@WhereverIGoddamnLike

I'm aware that I'm in the minority but whenever I have people doing big jobs (so a whole day or longer), I always make lunch. Rolls and stuff, or stews and puff pastry, or chunky soups or whatever. I did a roast chicken once for the guys doing my garage. But I offer it, because I have the time. If anyone just turn round and said "knock me up a sandwhich" then I wouldn't be doing it for them.

You made workmen a roast chicken for lunch? I’ve never heard of anyone doing that. 😃

He arrived at 11:30 & very casually asked you to make him lunch at 12?snd he's only doing a couple of hours work

That in itself sounds odd. Plus asking for food is very odd.

He needs to realise he's at a clients, not his mums!

I'm not sure what I would have said or done, but a bloke treating me like that would probably get short shrift! If he's asked in a different way I wouldn't mind. It's not the food, it's the attitude I have an issue with

I.

Without a “please” on the end? I would have made a big AHEM noise with my eyebrow raised.

I’d have been so shocked that I’d probably have said ok. Then gone inside, given my head a wobble and gone back out to say “sorry, no bread! But here’s your tea” and then not offered him another drink to be honest

I've never been asked, but maybe that's because I always offer 🤷🏻‍♀️

But if you wouldn’t be prepared to make him a sandwich, why on Earth would he get you a cake??

Whooooosh, straight over your head