Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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
Otherpeoplesteens · 14/07/2021 11:14

I grew up in places with very limited sanitation and I have to admit it never crossed my mind that there would be an issue with this sort of thing until a couple of years ago when we were getting a quote for some building work. The sales rep asked if we would let the tradespeople use the bog because, if not, they would have to hire a portaloo and stick the cost on our bill.

Shit stinks, get over it. As it happens, I quite like the smell of other people's - all that lovely fruity skatole - and when tradespeople come in to the house for more than five minutes I tell them which bog to use if they need, and where the soap and towels are.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 14/07/2021 11:15

Anyway I'm glad most people are happy to have strangers shit in their houses because hopefully that makes them less likely to need to one in mine!

I agree, although it's not particularly the pooing that worries me, it's the fact that men are statistically less likely to wash their hands afterwards. At least I know my DH washes his hands (because he says that most men in public loos are completely gross and never wash their hands at all).

We had builders for a while and they asked every time they needed the loo even though I told them they didn't need to. So I think a tradesman you don't know in your house for an hour or so should ask.

MimiDaisy11 · 14/07/2021 11:16

This is ridiculous. I don't think it's rude not to ask. I wouldn't expect anyone in my house to ask to use the toilet.

It's not like he helped himself to a drink or food. It's not something you can put off. Obviously, I'd assume he'd be a little embarrassed but when you need to go you need to go.

I went to a really strict school where on occasion they'd let children wet themselves because they "should have gone at breaktime or lunchtime". Thankfully I found out despite what the teachers said in the adult world you can go to the toilet anytime you want and most people don't have issues with it!

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 14/07/2021 11:17

You're very welcome, ancientgran Smile

Hope you're on the mend again very soon.

BarbaraofSeville · 14/07/2021 11:19

You must despair of the attitudes of some Mumsnetters with that experience Other.

We are so incredibly fortunate in the UK that just about everyone has access to a flushing toilet in their own home, when so many people in the world don't. Yet so many people are so weird about using it for it's intended purpose.

How on earth they'd cope if they had to use more basic facilities, that may be outside and/or shared with other households, I'll never know.

suckingonchillidogs · 14/07/2021 11:25

@angstridden2

Motion sensor 😄
🤣
viques · 14/07/2021 11:26

@Brefugee

Give him a bucket in the garden next time...

Or, get over yourself. He's got to go somewhere. It's a toilet that's what it's for.

A bucket? That’s just spoiling working people and giving them unrealistic ambitions , offer them your second best spade and direct them to the nearest park.

(And I speak as someone whose window cleaner was very apologetic and embarrassed when he managed to dislodge the flush handle! Luckily I knew the knack of re lodging it. He is still the window cleaner, but doesn’t ask to use my loo these days.)

ElaborateSalad · 14/07/2021 11:26

What do you expect him to do if he needs the toilet??

lexocet · 14/07/2021 11:28

Shit his pants?

KarmaStar · 14/07/2021 11:28

Yes you're being very precious.get over it.😊

UnChatNoir · 14/07/2021 11:29

Jesus, not this pathetic bollocks again Hmm

Get yourself a firm grip, OP.

Maggiethecat · 14/07/2021 11:29

It's not as if he's had a rummage around in your fridge to help himself to a drink, he's using the loo for its intended purpose!

I think some people believe that tradespeople should know their place.

viques · 14/07/2021 11:31

@AffableApple

You were WFH and could have been in a meeting for all he knew. It's a toilet and there to be used. Unless he smeared his name on the wall in his own excrement, YABU.
Can you imagine that post

“ I was on a call with my most important client and his marketing team when the workman popped his head around the door and asked if he could use the loo. “

That poster whose landlord interrupted an interview a few days ago doesn’t realise what a lucky escape he had. Grin

Lweji · 14/07/2021 11:32

Maybe he didn't have the time to ask?
Maybe he didn't want to disturb your work?
Maybe you should have told him he was welcome to use your toilet when he arrived if you retreated to your office?

Just a few thoughts.

Indigopearl · 14/07/2021 11:32

Maybe it was an emergency...

It is the delivery drivers I feel sorry for. When we were having an extension built we had some many ask us if they could use our portaloo. It makes you wonder where they normally go.

caringcarer · 14/07/2021 11:34

I would only be pissed off if he did not flush it afterwards.

OhNoNoNoNoNo · 14/07/2021 11:35

@Bluntness100

This topic has been done to death.
Didn't you know that you can only post on Mumsnet with original and entertaining dilemmas. We wouldn't want to bore the regulars would we 🙄

Why on earth would you come onto thread you find tiresome when the thread title is so clear. It's weird.

Lweji · 14/07/2021 11:36

Also, surely the downstairs loo is for visitors of any sort. Or emergencies.
It's always thoroughly disinfected with bleach and 70% ethanol after each non-resident leaves, just in case, is it not?

IntermittentParps · 14/07/2021 11:36

It would have been courteous to ask, so YANBU for that.
But I'm curious: would you have minded less if it wasn't a shit and/or hadn't been pungent?

Lockdownbear · 14/07/2021 11:36

I think your being a tad petty.
Surely he has more right to use your loo than a supermarkets which is provided for customers not the general public.

OK he should have asked but maybe he's been refused by other petty people and didn't want to be caught short.

Maggiesfarm · 14/07/2021 11:38

@Happy36

Realistically, where else can a burglar alarm service person go to the toilet? Your home is their workplace.
I agree. Many people, even us, will leave a smell behind in a loo but we can get rid of it.

He probably should have asked but if he was up there and taken short, didn't think of it.

LalalalalalaLand123 · 14/07/2021 11:39

Why do you have a toilet if not for going for a poo in it? Good lord, the poor man needed the toilet and you begrudge him that. If he'd asked, would you have said no? Give your head a wobble.

JinglingHellsBells · 14/07/2021 11:40

I think people should ask before they use it.

If a tradesman is here for a while, I usually point out where the loo is to save them having to ask.

I'd not say no, although I never relish cleaning the loo, basin and door handles afterwards.

onlyhereforthecake · 14/07/2021 11:41

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...)

LalalalalalaLand123 · 14/07/2021 11:42

@onlyhereforthecake oh yeah, those are exactly the same thing.....good god you must live a very difficult life if you are so disingenuous about everything

Swipe left for the next trending thread