Builder and tea. WWYD?

[Rosiesmydog]

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?

My friend doesn’t work. And she’s single. As for it being a woman’s job, these are builders we’ve used on a number of occasions ourselves and my DH has always made sure they are well provided for with tea.

What's her being single got to do with anything? 🙄

If you're that fussed (and you seem weirdly over invested in this) why not go round yourself to act as their waitress?

The irony.

This can not be real.

Our builders brought a kettle and all the supplies, plus their own microwave for heating lunches etc.

Is this for real?! No way would I make builders/workmen tea all day. If they want a drink they should bring one with them. Hoping this is a joke. Men certainly wouldn’t be running round making tea for builders all day.

@MrsTrumpton

My friend doesn’t work. And she’s single. As for it being a woman’s job, these are builders we’ve used on a number of occasions ourselves and my DH has always made sure they are well provided for with tea.

What's her being single got to do with anything? 🙄

If you're that fussed (and you seem weirdly over invested in this) why not go round yourself to act as their waitress?

Single in that there isn’t a man around to share the tea making…

As for being over invested…for fucks sake it was just intended to be a trivial question out of interest to see what others thought! I’m hardly losing any sleep over it and my friend and I haven’t fallen out about it. In fact we had a good laugh about it…she has a sense of humour, something that seems lacking here 🙄

I leave builders a box of mixed single wrapped biscuits like clubs and penguins and a mix of cans of pop and bottled water; I hate making hot drinks for other people.

Would people really not make their employees a cuppa?
Cleaner here and and glad my customers are more friendly!

I'm still not sure what the AIBU is here, but your friend is being silly. Builders need tea, biscuits, conversation and to feel like part of the family. If they are in your house, that's what they are, really. A bit of flattery and a hug also works wonders in terms of speed, efficiency, and them going the extra mile. A cup of tea is the least anyone should offer.

3 times a day. Tea or coffee or cold drink in hot weather. Morning break , lunchtime , afternoon break . Proper milk and custard creams. I don't have sugar in tea but always have it there for the builders. Basic courtesy really.

But you are over invested. Your friend is having the extension, the builders will be in her house, why are you bothered what she does or doesn’t offer them to drink. We had an extension done years ago, my friends were only interested in how it was going, how it looked, inviting me to their house to escape the mess and noise. It would have been very weird if they were telling me what to give them to drink. Can you not see how utterly weird you are being?

I think it's more judgy to assume that builders won't like soya milk!

My builders brought their own milk, mugs and kettle. They were doing work for about 3 months. I got them the occasional packet of biscuits and cakes.

Aah this pandering to builders does my absolute head in. They should do a good job because you are paying them to do a good job. If I’m making my self a brew I’d offer but that’s it. I’m not their bloody tea lady. We’ve had two huge extensions and lots of work inbetween and never had any nonsense with our builders. They’ve brought their own tea / coffee / milk etc and even their own kettle and set up their own little brew zone.

A hug. 🤣🤣🤣

Milk that comes from a cows tit that they make for their calf is far from ‘normal’!
It’s 2022, only people 40+ drink cows milk- what age bracket are you op?

@Airyfairymarybeary

Milk that comes from a cows tit that they make for their calf is far from ‘normal’! It’s 2022, only people 40+ drink cows milk- what age bracket are you op?

Seriously.??? That’s probably the biggest sweeping statement I’ve ever read…

Did you not read the post I made saying I drink oat milk?

For long-term jobs, I give them a tray filled with tea stuff and access to a kettle and let them at it. If I'm making a cup of tea I'll offer but mostly they just wanted to make their own or go out on breaks to get a Costa!

@hopeishere

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.

this is what i do....set up a tray somewhere accessible with all the fixings on and point them in the direction of it. If they are working outside its more convenient for them and for me. I make very few hot drinks through the day so I can get on with my life and they can get on with theirs.

@Airyfairymarybeary

Milk that comes from a cows tit that they make for their calf is far from ‘normal’! It’s 2022, only people 40+ drink cows milk- what age bracket are you op?

that's hilarious

Oh shit I’ve just found out I’m drinking the wrong milk for my age group

Part of the family?! Because they're in our house? It takes more than that 😂

We're having our house done at the moment - we always ask the builders for tea regardless if I have one or not.
I didn't go out of my way to buy normal milk (I drink oat milk) and the funny thing is that they are now all converted to oat milk!
I did however, went out of my way to buy one of the builders sweetener as he is diabetic.
We also bought them Christmas presents - they were really surprised and sooo thankful.

I think it's the small gestures that means a lot.

@Snoozeee

We're having our house done at the moment - we always ask the builders for tea regardless if I have one or not. I didn't go out of my way to buy normal milk (I drink oat milk) and the funny thing is that they are now all converted to oat milk! I did however, went out of my way to buy one of the builders sweetener as he is diabetic. We also bought them Christmas presents - they were really surprised and sooo thankful.

I think it's the small gestures that means a lot.

This is my take on it…and as for oat milk, my husband has also converted!

We had the builders in last year for several months. I baked a lot, they had several cups of tea, instant or proper coffee thought out the day. I did it because if I'm doing a physically demanding job, I appreciate someone showing me some care. The site manager also got treated the same when he visited. We had a fantastic relationship with our builders and got a lot of stuff done off the books at no extra cost (additional plastering, fitting a front door, sanding and oiling a wooden floor). We've kept in touch with a couple of them and they've helped us out with a few things in their own time, for a cuppa and a piece of homemade cake.
I can't imagine having people in my home for 5 months who I wasn't happy to make a brew!

We had work done on our roof last week and it was blimmin freezing so made sure I had tea and coffee available (we don't drink coffee). As it happened, they asked for coffee when offered a hot drink so I'm glad I had it. I know you're paying them to work, but it's not like they can bring their kitchen with them to make a drink like most of us can when at the office etc so it's nice to have supplies available......