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AIBU?

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Original poster

Builder and tea. WWYD?

192 replies

Rosiesmydog · 27/01/2022 18:53

So, one of my oldest and dearest friend is having an extension done. I said to her that she’d have to get proper milk and make lots of cups of tea because the builders won’t like soya milk and need regular cuppas. She looked shocked and said if they want proper milk they’ll have to bring their own and she would only make them a cuppa when she makes her own, which is about twice a day! After a bit of a discussion, she stated that it was good manners to bring their own milk if they didn’t like her soya. I pointed out that i thought it was good manners to keep your builders happy and just buy proper milk and make them regular cuppas because they are outside, in the cold, doing a hard, physical job. She’s not convinced! So WWYD?

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 27/01/2022 18:54

I'd stop having silly arguments with your friend. It's none of your concern really.

nothankyouverymuchly · 27/01/2022 18:55

Are you bored? Do you really have nothing else to do?

NoSquirrels · 27/01/2022 18:55

Is your WWYD ‘would you make builders tea with proper milk & lots of it’ or is it ‘what would you do about your friend who won’t make tea?’

StrongerOrWeaker · 27/01/2022 18:55

I think it depends why she doesn't drink milk. If it's because of animal cruelty or for environmental reasons, I would say it's fine for her to refuse to provide milk for the builders.

Puffflashpuffflashbang · 27/01/2022 18:56

Not your place at all. Weird you're so invested in it that you'd start a thread.

JaniceBingALing · 27/01/2022 18:56

I think I need a coffee to wake myself up after reading that drivel HmmBrew

Original poster
Rosiesmydog · 27/01/2022 18:56

Got plenty to do really…just trying to see what other people thought. Not unreasonable I would have. Thought

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/01/2022 18:57

You’re so unreasonable I don’t know where to start!

arethereanyleftatall · 27/01/2022 18:57

I think it's a good idea to keep your builders on your side. They get bacon butties with their tea at mine!

Lipsandlashes · 27/01/2022 18:57

I wouldn’t get involved. She’ll soon know their feelings about it!

Santahasjoinedww · 27/01/2022 18:58

I am vegetarian but still bought bacon for our builders.
Happy lads =better job done ime!!

Bagelsandbrie · 27/01/2022 18:58

@StrongerOrWeaker

I think it depends why she doesn't drink milk. If it's because of animal cruelty or for environmental reasons, I would say it's fine for her to refuse to provide milk for the builders.
This.

I mean if she’s vegan she wouldn’t be expected to make bacon sarnies would she?

But otherwise yes she should get some milk.

I drink soya milk and I’d get them normal milk and make them tea.

Roundandballlike · 27/01/2022 18:58

How many cups of tea is acceptable for a builder to drink in a day?

Cocomarine · 27/01/2022 18:58

My builder was a vegan. Workmen are allowed to be, you know. My carpenter ex husband rolls his eyes at the assumption that he needs “a cuppa” - man lives on Fanta, as it happens.

Access to a kettle is polite, a few mugs too.

Mostly - keep your beak out.

FatFilledTrottyPuss · 27/01/2022 18:59

Well I’m with you op, although it’s none of your business. If it was my friend I’d also be telling her to get some milk in and make them tea or coffee to keep them warm and happy.

MouseyMoose · 27/01/2022 18:59

I'm lactose intolerant and drink oat milk but I make sure we have dairy milk in when plumbers/builders etc come round just as I would with any other guest. I also fill to biscuit tin which never normally has biscuits in otherwise.

shinynewapple22 · 27/01/2022 18:59

I think expecting other people to drink soya milk is a bit unreasonable . For the same reason I keep sugar in for making drinks for others whilst not using it myself, if I only had soya milk I would keep in a small carton of UHT. Do all her friends drink soya milk too?

But OTOH I certainly wouldn't be making several drinks throughout the day. One first thing when they arrived and maybe at lunchtime but if they want extra they can bring a flask

Smartiepants79 · 27/01/2022 18:59

I agree that she should at least make an effort to make them welcome and foster a good relationship.
Pissing off people who are about to do major structural work to your house is never a good plan.
I always proved drinks and biscuits for workers at my home. When they here for a long job we usually end up just providing a kettle and some supplies for when they want them.
I would definitely suggest that for the first few days she has 1 pint of normal milk and stuff and see what they prefer.
It’s really quite unkind to have people at your home and not provide even basic drinks.

traintraveller · 27/01/2022 19:00

I always get milk, biscuits sugar etc in for anyone doing work as does everyone I know.

hopeishere · 27/01/2022 19:01

There is no way I would be making cups of tea for anyone. I'd show them the kettle and say if you want one go ahead.

Original poster
Rosiesmydog · 27/01/2022 19:01

@StrongerOrWeaker

I think it depends why she doesn't drink milk. If it's because of animal cruelty or for environmental reasons, I would say it's fine for her to refuse to provide milk for the builders.
She not vegan, she eats cheese, she just prefers soya milk
OP posts:
WhenTheyComeForYou · 27/01/2022 19:02

We always make tradesmen lots of tea. I don't think it should be an obligation though, and it's wise not to make too many as from my experience, they'll expect loads from then on!

2-3 per day sounds fair. Noones stopping them bringing a flask or nipping to a cafe.

Bonnealle · 27/01/2022 19:03

Love to know what people do for a living to have time to make builders multiple cups of tea a day! Offer to make them a drink in the morning, show them where everything is and ask them to help themselves. Just say, ‘sorry we only have soya milk’, and then they can bring their own. For what it’s worth, the last builders I had only drank green tea and black coffee!

CorsicaDreaming · 27/01/2022 19:03

I'm on huge rounds of tea duties currently for plumber / decorator / tiler / electrician / etc - every day since 4 January- so I feel qualified to offer top tips!

Yes lots of tea, possibly lots of sugar (I only use it for baking but most builders seem to have at least one if not two spoons per mug) DEFINITELY proper milk - and if you also offer proper coffee as an alternative they will love it even more.

And so this means they will be keen to do a really good job for you...

Probably worth telling your friend that...

Happy Trades = Better Job

And ensure you've got a set of decent sized mugs in different colours so they can be colour coded for each person. And that you don't care too much about the mugs (they may get chipped or left on top of the scaffolding overnight)

Apart from that, yup give them one cup a day in your best cups with soya milk... what could possibly go wrong? 😆

Original poster
Rosiesmydog · 27/01/2022 19:04

@WhenTheyComeForYou

We always make tradesmen lots of tea. I don't think it should be an obligation though, and it's wise not to make too many as from my experience, they'll expect loads from then on!

2-3 per day sounds fair. Noones stopping them bringing a flask or nipping to a cafe.

No cafes round here!
OP posts: