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?

@Naunet

Hell no! A. There’s a pandemic on. B. Men are perfectly capable of making their lunch the night before and bringing it to a job with them. It’s just sexist rubbish.

I got new wooden flooring in my kitchen pre covid .The carpenter was a woman.

I do think there’s an element on this thread if implying that “working class tradesmen” are more likely to be mysoginists than other blokes which slightly grates - it’s just a sandwich

I agree with the people pointing out that he wouldn't have asked a man the same question. We had six workmen here a while ago and one day I had 2 extra packets of crumpets delivered with my shopping so I offered them some. There was enough for them all to have a couple. They'd annoyed me a few times with requests for chocolate biscuits instead of hobnobs with their tea, or "a bit of cake wouldn't go amiss." Had told my husband but they were never like that to him.

I was offering them a couple of toasted crumpets with butter, jam or honey. Three accepted gratefully, One of them said "only if I can have four, I'm fucking starving." Another said "nah, I don't like crumpets. What else have you got?" Another said, " I wouldn't say no to a BLT if you don't mind love. And a bit of that cake you were making earlier as well."

My husband was standing behind me a short way putting together a table and he poked his head round and said "this isn't a cafe! If you want to order lunch, go to one!"
The three that had been cheeky instantly changed their tune- only banter, mate, course we'd like the crumpets, kind of your wife to have offered etc. Yet I know they genuinely were seeing how far they could push it.

I agree about them not asking a man the same.

Also women never seem to ask for food and drink when doing a job in your house.

If he was diabetic wouldn’t he say so?

I have landscapers here at the moment and offered tea, coffee, canned drink or bottled water. No food. I did offer biscuits a few times but no take up.

I was interested that a previous poster had mentioned tipping as I was wondering if I should tip.

Is it the done thing? I had building work done years ago and hints were dropped but I didn't give them any extra money.

Googled tipping and apparently someone tipped 10%, but for me that would be nearly £500 !

@Purplemist

I have landscapers here at the moment and offered tea, coffee, canned drink or bottled water. No food. I did offer biscuits a few times but no take up.

I was interested that a previous poster had mentioned tipping as I was wondering if I should tip.

Is it the done thing? I had building work done years ago and hints were dropped but I didn't give them any extra money.

Googled tipping and apparently someone tipped 10%, but for me that would be nearly £500 !

My DH is a landscaper and he never expects a tip! He maybe gets £10 twice a year and considers its treat!! He does appreciate tea and coffee too!!

I was thinking maybe £50 !

Tea and biscuits is fine. If I'm feeling generous and they are doing a good job then they might get offered a sandwich. I mean no-one makes me my lunch for free at work after all.

Never tipped for work on the house as it is expensive enough! Skilled trades make a good living, they aren't on the breadline. Most that we have engaged have said they have been really busy throughout the pandemic.

@Eleganz

Tea and biscuits is fine. If I'm feeling generous and they are doing a good job then they might get offered a sandwich. I mean no-one makes me my lunch for free at work after all.

Never tipped for work on the house as it is expensive enough! Skilled trades make a good living, they aren't on the breadline. Most that we have engaged have said they have been really busy throughout the pandemic.

We had a builder round this morning, and he's off to give quotes for 15 more jobs!

I've always offered food to workmen. They rarely take it but even if they don't want a sandwich I'll normally bring a few biscuits out to them with their coffee.

@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.

This sounds amazing!! How kind of you!! I offer but wouldn't make anything more than a sandwich!!

@Pricklypear12, it would not be very professional of him not to cater for his own needs when going to a job in an individual’s house. What if I showed up to do a job and asked for an inhaler? Or a dust mask, or for that matter a sanitary towel? Adults going to work manage these things themselves.

How odd. Why is everyone so horrified about making a person a bloody sandwich if they're hungry?? Yes I'd make a sandwich and often offer to pick something up for them if I'm nipping out.

A bit cheeky I would say, for so many reasons. If you had offered, ok, but to be asked. Little beyond the pale.

@Notworking123

How odd. Why is everyone so horrified about making a person a bloody sandwich if they're hungry?? Yes I'd make a sandwich and often offer to pick something up for them if I'm nipping out.

It is the expectation, plus the question would he have asked her H to make him a sandwich? Doubt it

A grown man not preparing his own lunch is quite pathetic. I cant imagine a woman working at the house asking the same thing

I'd have given the guy a look for sure. I work alot with tradesmen and if I'm visiting the site I might bring a few donuts, but once they start requesting a Chelsea bun here and a Eccles cake there then forget it. They get very well paid. If working in my house I'll always offer a tea or coffee, and if I have some banana bread or something I offer that too, but I'm not making them a sandwich.
Would you go in the office and ask your boss to make you one? Or go see a client and ask for lunch?