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?

Does everyone just call it a brew for tradespeople now. I've read brew more times on this thread than I have in my life before lol

I absolutely would of made it

You never know someone personal problems. He might not of eaten for two days...especially in the climate now

But then I volunteer with the homeless. So I have no qualms about giving people food. I’m so used to doing it weekly anyway.

Love the answer of ‘I’ve got to go to a meeting but shall I send DH out so you can ask him?’

I’d presume he was hungry and didnt have means to but himself food. Its just a sandwich

I won’t tell you what I have my carpenter when he was working on my house Would of definitely made him a cheese sandwich if he asked too x

@Hoggleludo

I absolutely would of made it

You never know someone personal problems. He might not of eaten for two days...especially in the climate now

But then I volunteer with the homeless. So I have no qualms about giving people food. I’m so used to doing it weekly anyway.

From what OP has said nothing indicates that though. I don’t think most people be grudge someone a sandwich. It does make you wonder is he a chancer? It sounds like it if your in genuine need that’s fair enough.

To be so confident and impose on someone you don’t really know is very different. I personally would feel uncomfortable to say no. It’s wrong of him.

I'd have offered him a bacon sandwich or some of whatever I was having for lunch.

I work with the homeless too.
It’s one of the reasons why I feel really annoyed when those who have no reason try to take advantage of things like benefits or vulnerable customers. There’s needing help and there’s taking advantage. Because there are some people in desperate need doesn’t mean that people should respond to every cheeky request with a ‘yes’ - they need to use some judgement. If in doubt, definitely err on the. Side if the benefit of doubt....but often a cheeky git is very clearly trying it on.

@NoOneOwnsTheRainbow

For all you know he could be diabetic and have forgotten to bring any food. Honestly, your options at the time were "no, sorry, we don't have any cheese. We're fresh out of bread..." or to make the sandwich. Why would you make it (even asking about pickle etc) then be annoyed at him for imposing? Bizarre and very two-faced.

Where does the OP say she's annoyed?

@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.

Same here, soup and sandwiches , and bacon rolls at the weekend. I find if you’re good to them, they’re good to you. I’ve never had anyone ask though, but I’m a feeder so no ones ever had the chance 😂

I'd have made him a sandwich just to stop him heading off to the takeaway and then going awol for hours. Better for everyone to let him eat a quick sandwich and crack on to finish the job.

Of course medical reasons or/and loss of his own food would be more likely to result in his request being granted but he has a responsibility to actually communicate that to the OP.

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda yes because OP's communication was absolutely flawless here, saying yes and making a sandwich when she meant no.

@Baconking she hasn't, but she has described a situation in a way that indicated annoyance in her OP. Given she says yes when she means no, who knows what she really feels about this?

he's trying it on to see if you're a pushover.

I think you're better off providing a large tray with kettle, teabags and coffee, and one carton of milk a day. One mug per person, and if they ask for another, tell them to bring the first one back. If they have a sink, they are responsible for washing up. Give them sugar cubes in a jar with a lid because they will spill sugar on the floor. A pack of teaspoons from the pound shop. It is all easier if you have a utility room and downstairs toilet you can give them.

Keep them out of your fridge and kitchen or they will help themselves to everything.

I always offer but then I’m probably your mum’s age and we treated people working for us very well.

I'd be fine with that, personally, so long as I had some bread. I'd probably offer it already if I was having lunch.

It reminds me a bit of people having a freddy fit when workmen ask to go to the toilet, and are expected to go to the pub. I want a happy and comfortable worker, not someone distracted by hunger or "digestive discomfort"

I always have tea/coffee/cold drink and decent biscuits for anyone working in the house unless its a very quick job.

Never been asked for anything else and if someone ordered a sandwich I'd assume they were joking.

Are you up north? Def something my tradesman dad would do

I feel like this might be one of the most underappreciated differences between the UK and North America. I never had ever heard of offering tradesmen snacks or drinks or anything at all until I moved to the UK - in the US and Canada it's expected that they will sort themselves out, including bringing their own bottles of water, and likely bring a packed lunch or drive to a deli. No one considers this strange - surely anyone who goes to work anywhere arranges their own lunch? My English DH however is always twisting himself in knots whenever we have someone working in the house here in the USA, because he thinks we absolutely have to put a kettle out and some kind of snack etc. I did it once, because he was so agitated about the thought of no drink and snack being available, and it was ignored. (Of course, there's not much tea drinking here either.) Another time we had people working in the garden for 3-4 hours and again due to my husband's concern, I showed them where there was a bathroom they could use. They looked at me as though I'd suggested bathing naked in the sprinkler.

If someone wanted to refill their water bottle or use the kettle, of course they would be welcome to. But apart from maybe the water, it just never happens here. And anyone who thinks I'm making them a sandwich can go do one.

Let's be honest here - what about if a partner had said that ? There would be all kinds of ructions on here . He was cheeky and he only got there at 11.30 . I would never employ him again and any extra I might have given him - well he can get lost .

I once had a builder doing some work on the house who asked for Earl Grey with lemon, when I offered tea or coffee

No I would not make tradesmen food, I'm their client not their mum! 🙄 I offer them regular cups of tea/coffee but that's it (I never normally have biscuits in the house so there wouldn't be any to offer them). Besides, whenever I've spent all day outdoors in all weathers I've taken a packed lunch and a hot flask, and if they don't have the gumption to do the same then that's their problem. Sorry, I've read too many posts about lazy men so not feeling very generous ATM. If they asked then I'd assume they were joking, chancing their luck, but if they said they'd made sandwiches but accidentally left them at home I'd help them out.

Like wise I always look after my work men. They usually bring something but I also ask them. They get coffee and tea with biscuits and cake several times a day but on a long job/ cold day or just because I feel like it they get bacon rolls, pies, sausage rolls, soup etc. I usually tell them the day before if here for a while. No one has asked but I would have just laughed and made him one. Some don’t take it but one has become like a friend he has been here so much in the last year. We met on another job where I was taken to cook for the volunteer workers. They all appreciate it. If I go out I make them a tray and fill the kettle.

I agree with others on this page. Look after them and they will look after you.
Judge 😂 I am a feeder too.🤣
iamtheoneandonlyyy must be a lot of northerners on the thread re ‘brew’ I live in the north but I am not from here. I think it is a friendly term.😁

I can't say I've ever had someone ask me to make them a sandwich or anything whilst working in my home, however I ask when they come in if they want a cuppa, any biscuits or something to eat (depending on the length of the job and what time they're here) I don't think I'd hesitate if they asked for a sandwich. Though according to dh I'm a feeder, so I guess I like making sure people are fed 😅

It's not Cordon Bleu 6 courses. Am pretty sure I would have made the sandwich, although with warning that my sarnie making materials might be unfavoured (only WM bread for instance). yanbu.

I find it odd that people don't offer, tea and bacon sarnies all round.