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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tradespeople using the loo

464 replies

JeanneDoe · 14/07/2021 09:53

Want to canvas opinions here.
We had a man over to service our burglar alarm.
It’s an annual service provided by the alarm company.
I’m WFH and my home office is above the downstairs loo.
Heard the alarm guy walking around checking out the alarm points around the house. Then heard him in the bathroom. Didn’t think there was a motion sensor in there.
He was in there for quite a while and then I heard a toilet flush.
Turns out a rather pungent bowel movement was had.
I am a bit pissed off. I know I’m unreasonable (and a bit precious) that I hate people that don’t live in my house taking a dump in my house.
But AIBU that he should have at least asked me if he could use our bathroom?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Mayhemmumma · 14/07/2021 14:54

I love the thought of the poor guy asking and you saying no?!

It's a toilet!! So long as he didn't poo on the seat or something I really don't see the problem.

BungleandGeorge · 14/07/2021 15:01

[quote Googlewasmyidea1]**@BungleandGeorge* I don’t think I’m a clean freak but hate stomach bugs so if someone did a suspect smelly poo yes I’d antibac the area*

So if someone does a smelly poo that means they have a stomach bug?[/quote]
That’s not actually what I said. A lot of people have unhealthy bowel movements through illness, other conditions, diet. For the sake of a quick wipe I wouldn’t take the chance on a stranger. Without going into great detail healthy bowel movements don’t tend to come urgently in the middle of the day (unless you’ve just served them a big meal), the smell isn’t that bad and clears in a reasonable time and they don’t spatter everywhere!

bigbluebus · 14/07/2021 15:16

If I ask to use the toilet at someone's house I don't usually announce if I'm having a wee or a poo. Either is acceptable in a toilet! I've never had anyone say 'Yes, but only if you're having a wee' either!
I can't believe so many people are up tight about normal bodily functions.

ScreamGulpLaughandGasp · 14/07/2021 15:16

@onlyhereforthecake

Why do you have a toilet if not for going for a poo in it?

what a stupid comment.

Why do you have a bed if not for going to sleep in it? Does it mean a tradesman can pop in there for a nap, or lay down if they feel a bit fragile?

Why do you have a garden if not for people to use it? Does it mean any random can come and suntan or let their kids play in it? (see another thread...)

Congratulations @onlyhereforthecake, I have been on MN for many years and seen some ridiculous replies, yet you have won my personal award for the stupidest reply ever

slow hand clap

onlyhereforthecake · 14/07/2021 15:33

ScreamGulpLaughandGasp

when people make stupid comments, they can expect a reply showing how stupid they were.

I don't blame you for misunderstand the whole thing, it's not your fault.

onlyhereforthecake · 14/07/2021 15:35

@Mayhemmumma

I love the thought of the poor guy asking and you saying no?!

It's a toilet!! So long as he didn't poo on the seat or something I really don't see the problem.

in fairness, despite posters falling over themselves to make up a story that never happened, the OP didn't say no. They didn't get a chance to say anything as no one even asked them to use the bathroom in the first place.

whole point of the thread really. But that never stops posters trying to create drama and insult others. 🤷

networknightmare · 14/07/2021 16:03

@onlyhereforthecake - it's the thought or speculation of the request being refused that people are bemused by.

Maggiethecat · 14/07/2021 16:11

@onlyhereforthecake - whole point of the thread really. But that never stops posters trying to create drama and insult others. 🤷

Perhaps you should stop trading the insults?

onlyhereforthecake · 14/07/2021 16:12

[quote networknightmare]**@onlyhereforthecake* - it's the thought* or speculation of the request being refused that people are bemused by.[/quote]
but did people actually wrote "they would say no and tell them to go away"

or did people wrote "they don't like it/feel uncomfortable about it"?

SpeckledlyHen · 14/07/2021 16:15

@JeanneDoe

Ok thanks for the opinions. I’d have of course said yes, but surely it is just good manners to ask.

As I said I know I’m unreasonable being precious about people using the loo, mainly poo related. For what it’s worth, all of us in my house prefer to contain bowel movements to the house.
Anyway I’m not losing any sleep over it.
Husband down there at the moment giving it a clean. Result.

Out of interest do you ask to use the toilets at work (assuming that you work of course).
SpeckledlyHen · 14/07/2021 16:22

Threads like this really piss me off.. My husband has Crohn's disease (thankfully in remission now and has been for many years). Humiliatingly for him he was not in a position to have that much control over the situation for many years. He had his fair share of unfortunate accidents when things were very bad. Laughingly (or maybe not) there is a Crohn's support group or action group (I can't remember which) and they provided a laminated card you could put in
your wallet to basically say "I have Crohn's, can I borrow your toilet please" - my husband did not ever use his though! If he was working in someone's house I would imagine he would ask but if he needed to use the facilities (which is what they are there for) he would do without hesitation.

I find it really odd that so many people on MN find this so difficult to compute. You need to loo, you use the loo. Simples

Maggiethecat · 14/07/2021 16:25

@onlyhereforthecake
I love the thought of the poor guy asking and you saying no?!

but did people actually wrote "they would say no and tell them to go away" or did people wrote "they don't like it/feel uncomfortable about it"?

I think people are just having a laugh at the ridiculousness of it all

onlyhereforthecake · 14/07/2021 16:35

or the rudeness of it all...

but these threads always attract goady posters.

DrSbaitso · 14/07/2021 16:37

How is a tradesperson's shit different to anyone else's?

user1496146479 · 14/07/2021 16:38

@careerchangeperhaps

He should have asked. Tradespeople on short calls should use public loos / supermarket etc. between jobs where possible IMO, but I understand that sometimes nature calls and I'd rather he asked to use my loo than shat himself. But it's polite to ask.
A lot of these are closed/reduced capacity due to Covid.
Maggiethecat · 14/07/2021 16:44

@onlyhereforthecake
Sorry, you don't get to take the moral high ground after calling someone's reasonable comment stupid.

onlyhereforthecake · 14/07/2021 16:57

Maggiethecat

why do you insist on being goady and personally attacking me? Can't you find better to do than trying to start a fight because you are miffed for some reason?

You could of course use that time to read the actual thread, and especially the actual post I was replying to when I used the word "stupid".

That comment was not "reasonable" in any way shape or form, and as it was addressed to me, I am perfectly entitled to reply to it. So buzz off my dear.

Gameofbones · 14/07/2021 17:53

@DrSbaitso it’s lesser shit because you know ‘they work with their hands’

Hankunamatata · 14/07/2021 17:55

This is why you keep air freshener in the toilet

TTCfirsttimer · 14/07/2021 18:03

Can't believe so many people are ok with strangers pooing in their house!

Makes me feel uncomfortable just thinking about it!

And no, I don't poo at work either!

Whatabouttery · 14/07/2021 18:06

@TTCfirsttimer

Can't believe so many people are ok with strangers pooing in their house!

Makes me feel uncomfortable just thinking about it!

And no, I don't poo at work either!

Bully for you

Some people have Crohn's, ibs, problem periods etc etc.

Not everyone is a perfect porcelain princess.

lostandlonely20 · 14/07/2021 18:21

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

People fart in public, too, which is effectively doing a poo in tiny little instalments

haha this really made me laugh!

TheWernethWife · 14/07/2021 18:24

We've had tradesmen outside our house for over a month (finally finished now).

Of course they were welcome to use our toilet, they were a great couple of lads - we made them bacon and egg on toast every day and cups of coffee.

They did say that on some previous jobs they didn't even get a drink of water.

Maggiesfarm · 14/07/2021 18:33

[quote Maggiethecat]@onlyhereforthecake
I love the thought of the poor guy asking and you saying no?!

but did people actually wrote "they would say no and tell them to go away" or did people wrote "they don't like it/feel uncomfortable about it"?

I think people are just having a laugh at the ridiculousness of it all[/quote]
Yes to all of that.

It's over now anyway, not something that is likely to happen very often. I daresay the smell has dissipated by now too.

The man would not have used the op's loo unless he had to.

UnChatNoir · 14/07/2021 18:36

@TTCfirsttimer

Can't believe so many people are ok with strangers pooing in their house!

Makes me feel uncomfortable just thinking about it!

And no, I don't poo at work either!

🙄🙄🙄