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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:
letsallmeetupinthehyear2000 · 28/02/2023 22:42

Walkaround · 28/02/2023 22:02

Not just catering for men, but clearing up after them.

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B……s ! I’d do the same if they were an all female crew. If I’m around they get hospitality if I’m not I tell them to help themselves to tea and coffee and maybe leave a packet of biscuits. It’s just the way I am - I don’t care if you’re male female or green with pink spots

Walkaround · 28/02/2023 22:46

letsallmeetupinthehyear2000 · 28/02/2023 22:42

B……s ! I’d do the same if they were an all female crew. If I’m around they get hospitality if I’m not I tell them to help themselves to tea and coffee and maybe leave a packet of biscuits. It’s just the way I am - I don’t care if you’re male female or green with pink spots

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Only a packet of biscuits?! What about the bacon sarnies, tea cakes and cream tea?! And have you ever had an all female crew in your house who helped themselves to things you had not actually left out for them, threw your clothes and their rubbish on your floor? 😉

wildalmond · 28/02/2023 22:47

Limesodaandice · 28/02/2023 21:48

Interesting that actual tradesmen and their partners on this thread think it’s unreasonable behaviour, but potential customers think it isn’t!

I personally couldn’t imagine going into someone’s home to do a job (whatever it is) and taking some of their food. Then throwing the empty packaging on the floor.

Exactly.

Surely they wouldn't behave like this in any other circumstance.

However seeing some people's "anything goes" and "worship them" attitude towards there's no wonder some of them forget they're grown adults and begin to behave like spoilt children.

It's not about the crisps, it's the "I can do whatever I want" disrespectful attitude that's the issue.

We all offer tea, coffee and biscuits - I'm sure OP does as well. Helping themselves to personal belongings without asking, that's a no from me.

Being at work, no matter what the job, everyone should maintain a level of professionalism. I don't see why it should be any different in this case.

AnnoyedinJanuary · 28/02/2023 23:01

That is literally one of the pettiest posts I have ever read. For goodness sake a few crisps to workers in your house. I always tell tradespeople where the biscuits and cakes are and to help themselves. What are we turning in to as a society?

wildalmond · 28/02/2023 23:08

People seem to think it's okay help themselves to anything they feel like.

"I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it"

😂🤣😂

cassiatwenty · 28/02/2023 23:10

wildalmond · 28/02/2023 23:08

People seem to think it's okay help themselves to anything they feel like.

"I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it"

😂🤣😂

Yes!!! 7 Rings by Ari Grande

I had no idea Builders shared my music taste 🤞

cassiatwenty · 28/02/2023 23:14

I love the fact that this thread got more than 250 messages on it, another two that did well were

A) the one where OP ate her husband's birthday treats with no permission

And

B) The Friday one where OP started drinking and then it turned into a reality show exhibition drama until MNHQ had to step in

I guess you had to be there

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/02/2023 23:24

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable OP.

I can accept that maybe they thought the crisps were left out for them. Maybe.

However, the leaving the packets out all over the house is really disrespectful, as is leaving your overalls on the floor.

Id have a word with them - and make sure your husband gets on the same page.

”Hi X, just to mention that I’ll leave some tea, biscuits (or whatever you’re happy to be providing) in Y place, so you know for next time. The bin is (wherever the bin is) if you could just put any wrappers in there. Would you mind not putting my overalls on the floor in future?”

Or if there’s a room you don’t want them to go in, just say that.

Walkaround · 28/02/2023 23:25

AnnoyedinJanuary · 28/02/2023 23:01

That is literally one of the pettiest posts I have ever read. For goodness sake a few crisps to workers in your house. I always tell tradespeople where the biscuits and cakes are and to help themselves. What are we turning in to as a society?

I know - can we not tolerate people throwing their rubbish on the floor these days? What is the world coming to! 🤣

ChellyT · 01/03/2023 00:46

YANBU Seriously it's not a free for all! You have left them out with nappies and baby wipes, so are they welcome to those too? Also for dumping your overalls to use the chair, I'd be pissed too...

mustgetoffmn · 01/03/2023 04:02

Unprofessional behaviour the manager should know about. But be wary of revengeful consequences on work done.

PrincessConstance · 01/03/2023 07:11

NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks · 28/02/2023 19:29

I’m going to go against the grain and say SUE THEIR ASSES OFF (and don’t forget to claim for the emotional distress of seeing just the empty crisp packets and crumbs).

Sue.

Cost of crisps-£3.
Cost of private suing-£25000

That sounds entirely reasonable.🙄😂

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 01/03/2023 07:59

Griefgood · 28/02/2023 19:40

What filling did they have?

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@Griefgood Tuna!

NeedToChangeName · 01/03/2023 08:12

It's common practice to leave biscuits / snacks for builders, if only to encourage them to stay on site, rather than disappear to Greggs, which makes the job take longer (= more expensive)

But mostly as a courtesy as they're doing a hard physical job and are visitors in your home

I'm sure they assumed the crisps were a gift

thiswillbedisplayedwhenyoupost · 01/03/2023 09:57

We had electricians in they cut out my plasterwork and didn't close a single door, my house was grey dust everywhere, that should have set alarm bells but I gave them benefit of the doubt, they dropped litter and cigarette buts on my drive again I ignored it, why didn't i get rid of them there and then? We had electrics not wired properly, things put in the wrong place so my re-plastered ceiling ( the plasterers were tidy and work perfect) has bumps in it where they had to move it from, I brought a new washing machine as I thought it was broken but it was their faulty wiring even though I was assured the sockets were all working, I was charged a fortune, their boss (who came in to sort all the mistakes, he was cross, we know him to be a good electrician) said he would sack them my work was so bad (said nothing about my new washing machine though just the expense you need when renovating) sorry guys in my experience get rid of them, sloppy attitude, sloppy work, my new electrician is so tidy you can't tell he has been there, he tapes the doors, cleans any spills and even mopped my floor and all his work ....well works, maybe all those who think you are over reacting would like it if you go to their homes, eat food without asking, chuck rubbish about and chuck clothes on the dusty floor.
We are having work done where i work, each night they tidy up and their work is really good.

StarsSand · 01/03/2023 10:07

NeedToChangeName · 01/03/2023 08:12

It's common practice to leave biscuits / snacks for builders, if only to encourage them to stay on site, rather than disappear to Greggs, which makes the job take longer (= more expensive)

But mostly as a courtesy as they're doing a hard physical job and are visitors in your home

I'm sure they assumed the crisps were a gift

That doesn't explain why they left litter all over her floor.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 01/03/2023 10:08

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.

They probably thought you’d left them for them. How mean and pathetic you would sound to complain.

Ilikegreenshoes · 01/03/2023 11:13

I don't think you're being unreasonable OP, this would annoy me too. People shouldn't have to be bribed to do their job properly, what kind of weird attitude is that? They are presumably being paid more than fairly for their time and expertise, so that should be the end of that.

Sure, it's nice to offer a cuppa, but even that shouldn't be expected. These are grown ups for goodness sake!

I agree with all the people asking if anyone makes cakes and bacon butties for their cleaner or babysitter. Hard to get good ones of those too, right?

Griefgood · 01/03/2023 11:37

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 01/03/2023 07:59

@Griefgood Tuna!

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Fair play to the cat then, the painter needs to take responsibility for that! 😁

RubbishAtEverything · 01/03/2023 13:40

I find workmen do often have a certain entitled attitude in terms of thinking the whole house is revolving around them whilst they're there.

We had a plasterer in for a week who spoke or rather shouted, to people on loudspeaker on his phone all week whilst he worked.

I work from home and had to ask him several times if he wouldn't mind just speaking a little quieter as I could hear him whilst I was on calls and in meetings.

Then we had a tiler once who was put out that I wouldn't be giving him a hand with the job whilst he was here, being paid to do said job.

OP, I'd be annoyed about the crisps. It's showing a sense of entitlement from the tradesmen, and the packets all over the floor is disrespectful.

hotdiggetydog · 01/03/2023 13:51

A. Packet. Of. Crisps. Nearly three hundred posts!

Annemaria · 01/03/2023 14:27

I have had furniture ruined by workmen, teabags left soaking into a clean tea towel. My new hoover used to suck up lumps of plaster, I could go on, but probably a waste of time to complain.

Sunriseinwonderland · 01/03/2023 14:27

tenbob · 28/02/2023 18:04

I think they just ate crisps… piss takers would be too crunchy

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😂

Walkaround · 01/03/2023 14:56

Toomuchtrouble4me · 01/03/2023 10:08

They probably thought you’d left them for them. How mean and pathetic you would sound to complain.

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Bollocks they thought the crisps had been put out for them. They would have put on the nappies that were with the crisps too if they genuinely believed the stuff was being left out for them. Or maybe they thought it was a passive aggressive dig about their use of the toilets and were getting their own back 🤣🤣🤣. Maybe put out a few babies’ dummies next time, with a note addressed to the babies who can’t tidy up after themselves.

pinkstripeycat · 01/03/2023 15:21

Littleflowerseverywhere · Yesterday 12:56
can’t believe someone said it was theft 🤣

What do you think it’s called when someone takes something they intend to keep without your permission? You must think ship lifting is ok in that case