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?

They have full access to kettle, a selection of mugs, milk and several types of tea

That's absolutely fine. I think not providing anything at all is mean spirited.

@HomeIsDogs

Proper milk? I presume you mean the stuff intended for calves.

Keep your beak out. If the builders don’t like it, they bring their own. My friends husband is a builder, he’s a vegan and only drinks oat milk. I don’t think he’d want your ‘proper’ milk.

Ha yes.Can your friend's husband come and fix my house?

OP, you can give advice but really. No need for further action.

I'm vegan and do not have anything but oat or almond milk in the house. The roofer who sorted my roof last summer was very happy to be supplied with my coffee with my milk. Despite my veggie boyfriend telling me I should get the normal stuff that is for calves. I did leave them a kettle and mugs, tea bags and a tin of very best instant coffee but they just worked, didn't stop to brew up themselves.

Yup, be nice to tradespeople but no need to compromise on personal ethics.

When we had our extension done I made the builders their own tea station in the garage, stick a load of tea, instant coffee and UHT milk there, refreshed the biscuits every Monday and bought them fresh donuts on Fridays. They hit all their deadlines, came in more or less on price and were exceptionally clean and tidy.

It pays to keep them sweet.

I wfh and when we had some men laying our lawn last year I made sure we had plenty of tea, coffee, squash and biscuits. I offered about 4 times a day (I don't drink hot drinks except maybe when DH makes me a cup of tea at the weekend).

I thought it was the done thing and it wasn't much effort from me.

Although the day DH was wfh he offered about 8 as he drinks ridiculous amounts of tea

That's genius @WouldIBeATwat. I should have thought of that. I will do that when we have our kitchen done.

@RampantIvy

That's genius *@WouldIBeATwat*. I should have thought of that. I will do that when we have our kitchen done.

I’ve spent a lifetime in HR. It’s about the carrots. ;)

I’m always amazed at the angst over tradesmen and tea/toilets on here.

If they’re here for more than a day or two, I give them the old kettle, a carton of milk, sugar, tea, coffee, mugs etc and say help yourself.

Of course, I only give them supermarket tea bags, Gold Blend and the trades mugs but they should be grateful, right?

Most of you have absolutely no idea what it's like working on a freezing site this time of year. The hospitality and kindness of the host makes a HUGE difference. On big building sites having a place to make hot drinks and a source is water is the LAW.
GOOD for you to try to influence her OP.

I would say that on the first day they wouldn't know to bring their own, unless she lives near a shop. Soy milk is an allergen so it's really important to ask them. You can't just assume they'll be OK with it.

I'm both allergic to soy milk and unhappy with it for its environmental impact.

@OnceuponaRainbow18

Do all these tea makers not work themself?

This. I’m at work in my study at the top of the house when I WFH. When I have a deadline I don’t leave my desk apart from a snatched loo visit. I’m actually very fond of our builders, but they need to — and in fairness, they do — absolutely realise that I’m at work as much as they are, even if I’m at a desk rather than at the wheel of a digger or plastering.

They are welcome to help themselves to tea, milk, sugar, biscuits if there are any, but they do it themselves,p. And have sometimes brought me a cup.

@traintraveller

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

Me too. If I’m home when they’re working I brew up every few hours. If I’m at work, I leave all the stuff out and tell them to help themselves.

@WeighaFreya
Did you check they wore vegan boots and didn’t use any animal products? 🤣🤣🤣

[quote Soontobe60]@WeighaFreya
Did you check they wore vegan boots and didn’t use any animal products? 🤣🤣🤣[/quote]
Why do you think that's funny? It doesn't even make sense. The builders don't have to dress according to @WeighaFreya's personal ethics, just she does.

Who makes tea for tradespeople? Don’t they bring their own kettle and stuff anyway? I’m in Australia and have never provided tea for any builders or tradies. They always come with their own kettle, microwave etc if it’s a big job.

@TwoShades1

Who makes tea for tradespeople? Don’t they bring their own kettle and stuff anyway? I’m in Australia and have never provided tea for any builders or tradies. They always come with their own kettle, microwave etc if it’s a big job.

No. It isn't the done thing here.

[quote Soontobe60]@WeighaFreya
Did you check they wore vegan boots and didn’t use any animal products? 🤣🤣🤣[/quote]
Hahaha. Excellent joke. Must add it to the list. Thanks.

We always offer the window cleaner a mug of tea, and he is always grateful for it.

He cleaned the windows today and gave us a bottle of wine. He told DH it was because we always make him a cup of tea, and he gets given wine from some of his customers at Christmas. He doesn't drink so he has been giving wine out to the customers who give him tea.

It was a decent bottle as well