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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how many sarky comments you would tolerate

55 replies

Tootsey11 · 27/02/2022 13:24

I work for myself as a cleaner. Generally clients are polite etc

I have one older lady client who is irritating me slightly with her attitude and demands.

A few of her comments:

Telling me 'I should know that I don't have a good job'. This from someone who has never worked and 3 of her adult children don't work either.

She is a casual client who does not have a regular slot so the start time of her cleans are approx. 99.9 % of the cleans I arrive on time I have stated to her, the other 0.1% I may be 2 minutes after. I was told 'I do not expect you to be more than a few minutes late'. Then I've had 'One day you give me a morning clean, the next you give me a afternoon, I just can't keep up with it, said in a condescending way. I suggested booking a permanent space,' I don't want to'.

I'm reminded a lot of the time that she's elderly, and can't manage. So on occasion has asked for her yard to be brushed. This time, she had left a note, brush front yard and back yard. Bearing in mind this was on a day of one of the recent storms, I checked the front yard, clean. I looked at the back, it was wet on the ground, it was raining and a strong wind blowing. I gave it a quick brush. She arrived back while I was doing this, walking past me she said' you must be freezing and laughed' going on into the house.

So, I have texted and stated no more outside work, also cutting down the frequency of cleans due to cost of travel. I'm now getting the silent treatment, she has always replied straight away.

I'm thinking of dropping her as a client, because of her little digs at me. But am conscious of the fact of price rises and protecting my income.

Would you or do you tolerate comments in your job by clients. Where do you draw the line?

OP posts:
comfortablyfrumpy · 27/02/2022 13:26

I would drop her as a client.
Life is too short to put up with that.

CaMePlaitPas · 27/02/2022 13:30

I'd have dropped her after the first comment. How bloody unprofessional.

Boofay · 27/02/2022 13:30

I'm not sure I could put up with her comments so in your position I'd probably knock her cleans on the head. She sounds like hard work and if you're losing money on the travel costs, I'd look for a permanent customer nearer home. My local Facebook group is littered with posts asking for cleaners - I'm sure you'd find someone quickly.

MischievousBiscuits · 27/02/2022 13:31

After the first comment I'd be away. Elderly or not she's a cheeky, entitled f**ker

Elphame · 27/02/2022 13:31

I wouldn't keep her as a client.

Are you actively looking for other clients? There's a deathly shortage of cleaners around here and mine calls the shots - even demanding (and getting) a new vacuum out of me this week!

jytdtysrht · 27/02/2022 13:33

Drop her and ask a couple of your existing clients whether they have friends interested in hiring a cleaner.

gamerchick · 27/02/2022 13:35

Life's too short OP. Just drop her, you'll find someone else to fill the gap.

Ameanstreakamilewide · 27/02/2022 13:35

Saucy bint. Fuck her off.

SuitcaseOfWhine · 27/02/2022 13:36

I would drop her as a client, and make sure you tell her why. She may be old and a bit vulnerable in her eyes, but she finds plenty of energy to be rude and condescending.

I'm sure you will find another client. Not sure where you are in the country, but where I live a couple of cleaners I know are turning down work. Have a look at holiday lets too if you have that in your area.

NuffSaidSam · 27/02/2022 13:37

I suppose it depends on the job market where you are, but I would have dropped her immediately. Cleaners are in high demand where I am though.

Tootsey11 · 27/02/2022 13:40

Im not short of work, I'm turning down work.

One part of me is saying why am I keeping this client, the other half is saying fuel and food prices are rising, don't cancel anyone.

I'm not sarky or rude to anyone, so why is it necessary.

OP posts:
pawpaws2022 · 27/02/2022 13:42

Drop her. You don't have to tolerate that

NotSorry · 27/02/2022 13:45

I'm not sarky or rude to anyone, so why is it necessary

It isn't, but she's clearly not a very nice person.

If you are turning work down, get rid and make a decision to only work for people who treat you how you want to be treated.

skyeisthelimit · 27/02/2022 13:49

Just drop her and take on some of the other work that you are turning down. I have started to disengage clients that no longer bring me joy.

Life is too short to be unhappy at work especially when the control and choice is in your own hands.

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 27/02/2022 13:53

Drop her, you’re not short of work

ComDummings · 27/02/2022 13:53

Drop her. In my area cleaners are getting snapped up.

girlmom21 · 27/02/2022 13:56

I'd drop her too.

3peassuit · 27/02/2022 13:59

Drop her. Good reliable cleaners are like gold dust round my way.

Thatsinteresting22 · 27/02/2022 13:59

You can’t tolerate abuse… from anyone, rich or poor. I do wonder though, how can people afford not to work generationally. Where do they get their wealth from.

ConsuelaHammock · 27/02/2022 14:00

How dare she make little of your work. You’re doing an honest job. Get rid of her.
Good cleaners get to pick and choose who your clients are. They’re not doing you a favour.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/02/2022 14:02

After the first comment.

She is a nasty unhappy woman and she’s taking her unhappiness out on you in a vicious way,

Dump.

I hope the rest of your clients appreciate you. I’ve had a cleaner for years, and have deeply appreciated the work they have all done to make my home a nice place to live.

NETSRIK · 27/02/2022 14:03

Drop her !!!

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/02/2022 14:04

@Ameanstreakamilewide

Saucy bint. Fuck her off.
@Ameanstreakamilewide

I am adopting Saucy Bint immediately.

Use it OP! ‘Dear Saucy Bint.. Goodbye! - and block.

CremeEggThief · 27/02/2022 14:06

I think you might feel a sense of loyalty to her, or maybe you feel sorry for her as she's elderly, to even have stayed on this long. But it's not getting any better for you, and you don't need it, so just drop her.

Merryoldgoat · 27/02/2022 14:06

Get rid. My cleaner is so valuable to me - I’d never speak to her (or anyone) like that.