To think most people offer a brew as soon as visitors arrive

[CoheedandCambria]

Light-hearted

If I'm going over to someone's house (invited), most people I know will offer a hot drink pretty much as soon as I've walked through the door. And I will do the same if anyone comes over.
This is the proper way isn't it?!

Whenever we go to PIL we have to wait aaaaages before we're offered anything and recently we only had time to pop by for just over an hour and we didn't have owt moist!

YANBU - a brew as soon as you're over the threshold
YABU - patience is a virtue

No one in my house drinks tea, but we always have some good quality English breakfast tea on hand for visitors. If i know someone is coming over I'll also get biscuits, which we don't normally have either.

It's the British way, I thought that's what everyone did? Offer a drink and a biccie, whether your visitor is close family, neighbours or a tradesperson.

I reckon within the first 10- 15 minutes or so. Unless it's a workman then I'd normally offer in the first 5 minutes. But with friends and family normally say hello and have a bit of a chat first. You'll have to take a flask to the in-laws next time 😂

Nah, not here. You'll get offered something eventually 🤷
If friends or family they'll say if they need a drink or put the kettle on themselves.

We lived in Spain for a fair while so this just wasn't a thing.
I stopped making rounds of brews years ago and I won't be going back to that nonsense.
If I do do a brew (😁) it's in a pot and everyone can help themselves to milk/sugar.
Coffee percolator is on and full am/pm... same deal, help yourself.

This was true when I was younger and going places with my mum, she always had a cup of tea. It occurs to me this isn’t the case in my circle - usually it’s wine or gin 😬🙈😂

or I just pop the kettle on if I want tea.

Well I do but I’m a lifelong tea drinker. I have a couple of younger friends who offer a drink straightaway but say ‘Its water or diet coke’.

I think hot drinks are dying out as a universal ritual. Times change.

Even workmen recently have turned down tea & coffee in favour of their own cans of coke. They took the packets of chocolate biscuits though.

Oh yes I'd be happy with a wine or a gin as well!

I am not British so maybe I don’t count, but I don’t really drink tea and eat biscuits so no I don’t offer anything usually. I tend to not drink anything but water between meals so would not cross my mind to be honest. I didn’t known I was supposed to make tea for Tradesmen in my house either.

I'm Irish.

The kettle will be on before you've even knocked at the door 🤣☘

Do you not know them well enough to just pop the kettle on in their house?

Never - I don't drink tea, coffee or milk and nobody likes my Green Tea so I don't bother. Told the decorator last week he was welcome to use my kettle but I don't have anything else in the cupboard so bring his own.
My friend has a small kit she brings here. I don't eat biscuits either. 😁

The thing is obviously I do know them very well but the vibe just isn't one where I feel we could do that.
At my mum's that would be fine but not PIL.

Tradesmen are fuelled by tea and biscuits. I wouldn't dream of not offering tea or coffee to someone working on my house.

Make yourself a drink or get DH if you're not comfortable

You are seeing family - just ask if you want something!!

I'd be interested to know whereabouts you're from, that looking after guests isn't a thing?

I don't really drink alcohol but I still offer it if I have evening guests.

The kettle is put on here as soon as people get settled and tea offered/a pot of coffee on in the percolator.
Unless it's after 7pm on a Friday in which case its a glass of wine.

I do look after guests. If they are invited for a meal of course. I don’t offer tea if they have popped into see me no. My in laws are British and have never made tea or coffee for us when we pop in either.

Minute you cross the threshold in my house - kettle is on or before if I’m expecting you

Before you have your coat off and bum in a seat you’ll have a cupa in your hand - it’s the British way surely????

Could that be because you don't really drink it?

I offer water or a cold drink if it’s hot in the summer, but I don’t drink hot drinks except
for my morning coffee and I never eat biscuits and don’t think I have ever bought a pack of biscuits in my life. Maybe good for the tradesmen
it to eat biscuits for a few days ☺️

I would just get a drink!

I will always offer something in the first 10/15 minutes whether it’s tea, or wine/gin etc depending on the occasion. Food always put out too. Either chocolate/biscuits/ fruit/ nibbles depending on the occasion.

id find it so odd to be in someone’s house longer than 15 minutes and not be offered a drink of some description. Don’t think it’s ever happened to me though.

Also, people saying they don’t drink hot drinks so wouldn’t offer one to a guest - what an odd way of approaching hospitality!

My mother in law doesn’t drink coffee but she knows I do so she always has some in. I do the same thing. It’s hosting 101 surely?!

I sometimes forget because I’m eg too busy chatting/ moving stuff about to let them sit down etc! Embarrassing when you remember or someone else offers!!

Yes I offer as soon as someone sits down. If they say no, I make it anyway or give them water. I find it very strange having a chat at an empty table.

And yes tea/coffee and biscuits to tradespeople too - I make it for them in the morning and afternoon and tell them where the kettle is if they'd like to make more during the day,

I remember a painter telling me he was at a house and 'they were so odd they didn't even offer him a cup of tea', so they definitely expect it and note when not given.

@Tilly1234566 I don't mean to be rude but your hosting would make me feel very unwelcome! Water if it's hot...like I'm a dog or a horse 😕 I keep all sorts of things in for family and friends if I know they like certain things, even if I don't touch them, even down to specific brands (plural) of sweetener.