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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Summerfun54321 · 27/01/2022 22:11

I work in construction. Just pay them on time and don’t change your mind about what you want half way through the job. The tea is insignificant 😂

Summerfun54321 · 27/01/2022 22:13

No, you don't need a penis to put the bins out. However, I'd rather a penis-bearer did it, if there's a willing and able penis-bearer hanging around.

Just off to see if there’s a willing and able penis-bearer hanging around my house 😂

heyitsthistle · 27/01/2022 22:16

I bought sugar for my builders the other day. It's just the right thing to do!

Ceramide · 27/01/2022 22:46

Happy builders given plenty of tea and biscuits (or who are at least shown where the kettle is) may make an extra effort with their work in return. Building works are expensive, so in comparison, a pint of milk every couple of days shouldn't break the bank.

MrsSkylerWhite · 27/01/2022 22:48

Make them a tea in the morning. Thereafter, point out the kettle, mugs, milk and sugar and buy them a box of regular tea.

underneaththeash · 27/01/2022 22:49

We just bought the builder a cheap kettle.

I wouldn't give soya milk to my worst enemy - sugary, unhealthy crap - devoid of nutrients. I definitely wouldn't give it to my nice builders.

FooKingDong · 27/01/2022 22:50

@Summerfun54321

No, you don't need a penis to put the bins out. However, I'd rather a penis-bearer did it, if there's a willing and able penis-bearer hanging around.

Just off to see if there’s a willing and able penis-bearer hanging around my house 😂

😂

Sadly, there is not one hanging around here at the moment. Fortunately it is not Bin Night, though.

PinkSyCo · 28/01/2022 22:59

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

Why do so many women think they have to appease men like this in order to get an honest days work out of them? It’s embarrassing.

PinkSyCo · 28/01/2022 23:02

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

🤦🏽‍♀️

CharlotteRose90 · 28/01/2022 23:03

I loved my builders I made them brews and breakfast then in the afternoon it was brews or soft drinks and snacks if they wanted them. They also had access to the kettle and milk etc. It’s only manners.

RampantIvy · 28/01/2022 23:06

@PinkSyCo

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

Why do so many women think they have to appease men like this in order to get an honest days work out of them? It’s embarrassing.

Or just a good idea to keep your builders on side?

I draw the line at food, but am happy to provide drinks. DH and I share providing drinks for workmen. It isn't "woman's work" in our house.

Some people are rather mean spirited on this thread.

Tdcp · 28/01/2022 23:15

Dp is a tradesman, he has no issue in taking his own drinks to work, if someone is there and makes him a brew then he's grateful but he in no way expects it.

PinkSyCo · 28/01/2022 23:26

Some people are rather mean spirited on this thread.

And some people have a very low bar when it comes to men if they believe they have to bribe them to keep them ‘on side’.

fuckyourpronouns · 28/01/2022 23:29

I'm another who thinks that keeping workman on their good side is a benefit. Your friend is BU. Does she really begrudge 99p for 2 pints of milk to make a decent cup of tea?
I have tea and biscuits on hand for workman. If it was a weekend they'd have a bacon butty too.

Our neighbours have just had work done in their garden and have no parking. Access to their garden is difficult so we let the workman park on our drive to make things easier for them and made them coffee as the neighbours were out most of the day. At the end of the job they came round and Infilled the stones in our borders which were looking a bit low. They had a ton left over and topped it up for me. No charge.

Small gestures go a long way!

fuckyourpronouns · 28/01/2022 23:32

@TabithaTiger

I think it's weird that women seem to think they need to run round providing hot drinks for builders. Men wouldn't do it. They're being paid to do a job, they're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts! I would offer them a hot drink if I was making one for myself, but I only have oat milk so they can take it or leave it. Other than that they can provide their own drinks just like I have to when I'm at work Hmm
My husband is a tradesman. If he is home he keeps any trades working here in plenty of tea coffee and biscuits. He knows the score!
safclass · 28/01/2022 23:59

I'd have the milk anyway but I always tell them that they can yell if they need a cuppa, or feel free to make their own and I put the stuff on the bench for them.
If a weekend they get sausage /bacon sandwiches.

Woofwoofbarkbark · 29/01/2022 00:05

People need to be more kind hearted to their builders.

They are often cold, sore and tired. Especially outside in winter.
They are building you a new part of your family home. It's a humbling thing to do for someone. (Especially when you're a builder who doesn't own their own home!)

Aria999 · 29/01/2022 01:47

I never make tea for contractors. Like pp said they are there to do a job. Refreshments are up to them.

HerRoyalNotness · 29/01/2022 01:49

I offered tea to a chap redoing our bathroom. He declined as he brought his own. He then went on to tell me the tale of a previous customer who had noted all the cups
Of teas she had made him and DEDUCTED them from his invoice. Hmm

Movinghouseatlast · 29/01/2022 01:53

'Cuppa'? Jesus.

PainterMummy · 29/01/2022 02:05

Reminds me of the times many years ago, I was gaving people in to give quotes for doing some work. One fellow wrote a big T on the top of the page he was making notes on. I asked about it as it was odd to me. He said he always noted who offered him a cuppa and amended his quote accordingly if they’d have to factor in tea runs.

In any event, I’m not British and was told by friends years ago that it was the norm to offer tea and what builder’s tea was. We only use skimmed milk and when I had building work don’t, I bought small amount of whole milk just for them. I know it was appreciated.

momls20 · 29/01/2022 02:16

Fuck that, they can bring a flask. I can't think of any other jobs where you'd be pandered over all day being offered hot drinks. It's not like they're working for free!

Tereseta · 29/01/2022 02:28

Everyone gets offered tea on entry to our house, male or female trades, health visitor, family, friends. Its just manners. Some of the comments on here are hilarious!
If I was working somewhere for the day on a course or similar, I would expect some form of refreshment, why wouldn't I provide someone doing a manual job in my home the same....with the most popular form of milk used in uk. Hmm

Tdcp · 29/01/2022 10:51

'Cuppa'? Jesus.

Hmm
EishetChayil · 29/01/2022 10:52

Are you always such a busybody?

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