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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tradesman ate my crisps - do I bring it up?

298 replies

LostSleep · 28/02/2023 12:52

We are currently renovating a property before moving in. We have all of our furniture there but are staying elsewhere. The windows are currently being renovated. When I went in to see the progress I noticed my multipack of crisps was empty and there were several empty packets of crisps strewn in different rooms.

AIBU to raise this with the lead tradesman?

I have left quite a bit a food there as we are there most days doing DIY/decorating but haven't been there while the windows are being renovated.

My partner says there isn't any point in raising it. Nothing will come out of it.

OP posts:
Cigarettesaftersex1 · 28/02/2023 12:53

Where did you leave them? He might have thought you'd left them for him?

Cherrysoup · 28/02/2023 12:54

Of course raise it! They are stealing what is not theirs. I remember a plumber scoffing my grapes that I'd bought as a treat when I was first working and broke. I was appalled.

Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 12:54

Cigarettesaftersex1 · 28/02/2023 12:53

Where did you leave them? He might have thought you'd left them for him?

We have been using one room as a base where our chairs and heaters are. I left them on a chair there, with nappies, wipes and a baby bag.

OP posts:
Littleflowerseverywhere · 28/02/2023 12:56

I suspect he thought they were left for him, when we have trades people in we often leave biscuits etc out. I’d put them in a cupboard next time.

can’t believe someone said it was theft 🤣

Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 12:57

They had also unceremoniously dumped our work overalls onto the floor so they could sit on the chair.

They could have placed the overalls elsewhere rather than on a very dusty and dirty floor

OP posts:
octoberafternoons · 28/02/2023 12:57

I can see why it's annoying but what's the cost of a packet of crisps in relation to the value of this work being done well? If he's otherwise doing a good job and is reliable in other ways then I wouldn't mind if he ate some crisps...

RebulahConundrum · 28/02/2023 12:57

What a dick to just assume he could have them! Help yourself the nappies while you're at it

Littleflowerseverywhere · 28/02/2023 12:58

What is it you want op: you sound very uptight. What do you want, two quid knocked off your bill . Honestly between this and the overalls. You just spoiling for a fight?

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 28/02/2023 12:58

I wouldn't mention it, you left them in open view and to be honest I always leave treats/snacks (or offer if I'm there) for any tradespeople that are in my home.

Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 12:58

Littleflowerseverywhere · 28/02/2023 12:56

I suspect he thought they were left for him, when we have trades people in we often leave biscuits etc out. I’d put them in a cupboard next time.

can’t believe someone said it was theft 🤣

We have no cupboard - the kitchen has been completely ripped out. But if it is normal for people to leave food out for them, then I guess it isn't a problem. Just had hoped they might put the empty packets in a bin bag rather than on the floor in different rooms

OP posts:
PineappleIceCream · 28/02/2023 12:59

I probably wouldn’t make a fuss about a few crisps. If they are doing a good job then it’s a relatively small price or pay. We had some very annoying behaviour whilst getting building work done but I think mostly it was thoughtless rather than done deliberately. It’s already very stressful having work done so I can totally sympathise getting annoyed.

Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 13:00

Littleflowerseverywhere · 28/02/2023 12:58

What is it you want op: you sound very uptight. What do you want, two quid knocked off your bill . Honestly between this and the overalls. You just spoiling for a fight?

Exactly my partners point! I probably am being uptight, hence the AIBU question. Thank you for your honesty Smile.

OP posts:
Griefgood · 28/02/2023 13:00

LostSleep · 28/02/2023 12:58

We have no cupboard - the kitchen has been completely ripped out. But if it is normal for people to leave food out for them, then I guess it isn't a problem. Just had hoped they might put the empty packets in a bin bag rather than on the floor in different rooms

Show quote history

If their work is a good standard I would leave it.

Handyweatherstation · 28/02/2023 13:01

If I felt inclined to say anything, it would be something like a laughing, but loud, 'Oi, sunbeam! Have you nabbed my crisps?'. There then might follow some mild awkwardness but hopefully it would be the last of the matter.

wildalmond · 28/02/2023 13:01

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

BeetleyCarapace · 28/02/2023 13:02

If I've got people working in the flat I leave tea, coffee, biscuits and yes, sometimes crisps, out for them to help themselves. So I'd work on the assumption they thought you'd left them for them. Especially being a multipack — enough for a crew. Plus they know you're not living there just now.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 28/02/2023 13:02

Tradesmen are priceless these days. I'd be buying him more crisps and also treating to lunch, and a pack of coke, if he's doing a good job.

Chamomileteaplease · 28/02/2023 13:04

I think posters are being disingenuous here. You left these crisps not out on a worktop or anything, but with a pile of your belongings.

It may be petty but it is still theft!

Where do you draw the line people? OK to take crisps but not the wipes? Nappies?

I would wait until the end of the job and feed back to the boss, yes. He should know what his men are doing at people's houses.

Love the thread title BTW 😀.

aSofaNearYou · 28/02/2023 13:06

Chamomileteaplease · 28/02/2023 13:04

I think posters are being disingenuous here. You left these crisps not out on a worktop or anything, but with a pile of your belongings.

It may be petty but it is still theft!

Where do you draw the line people? OK to take crisps but not the wipes? Nappies?

I would wait until the end of the job and feed back to the boss, yes. He should know what his men are doing at people's houses.

Love the thread title BTW 😀.

I agree with this. It'a obviously not a major issue so might not be worth making a fuss, but his behaviour was odd. There was nothing to suggest these were for him so it was odd of him to take them.

Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 13:07

Thank you all. I clearly need to work on my tradesman manners. I know what to leave out for them next time.

I need to chill out a bit Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 13:07

Chamomileteaplease · 28/02/2023 13:04

I think posters are being disingenuous here. You left these crisps not out on a worktop or anything, but with a pile of your belongings.

It may be petty but it is still theft!

Where do you draw the line people? OK to take crisps but not the wipes? Nappies?

I would wait until the end of the job and feed back to the boss, yes. He should know what his men are doing at people's houses.

Love the thread title BTW 😀.

Hahaha pun intended

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 28/02/2023 13:09

If they’re good builders, leave it. I look after ours - lots of tea/coffee/biscuits.

On the other hand, when subcontractors dumped a load of crap in my wheelie bin, half filling it, I rang the company and asked what they were supposed to have done with it. Answer - removed it. I insisted they come back and remove it

Forgooodnesssakenow · 28/02/2023 13:15

Some say the quality of the snacks is reflected in the quality of the work...

Original poster
LostSleep · 28/02/2023 13:17

Forgooodnesssakenow · 28/02/2023 13:15

Some say the quality of the snacks is reflected in the quality of the work...

Oh no, looks like we're only getting a walkers cheese and onion level of service.

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 28/02/2023 13:21

I'd raise a complaint about not putting stuff in the bin and not respecting your personal belongings. Any workman should know better.

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