Heard builder gossiping about us!

[Chrestomanciscat]

Don't think our builder realises I'm in. Heard him and the plumber gossiping about how messy our house is. Feel have two toddlers and we recently moved. Am losing control really.

Sod 'em. I've never known a builder who didn't create mess. Take a cuppa out to them to show them you are there.

Don't worry about it. As long as they are on-site and getting the work done, you are ahead of the game as far as the rest of us are doing

His opinion of you is just that his (only his) opinion. Who gives a hoot what he thinks? It is not necessarily based in fact. It was most unkind of him to comment like that.
He went low so you go high.
Bring him a cuppa and let him know you are in. Big smiles.

I would have made you a cuppa but the place is too messy and I can't find any cups. .

Justhad
I know I should not be bothered by it, but really fancy the (much younger) plumber

Before I had kids I didn't understand how my sister-in-law's house could be so messy when 'she's at home all day'. If he's young, probably has no idea what having two little kids means.

Ha! I heard the builder gossiping about a decision my hubby had made! I also heard the grounds man moaning about how rubbish his team were & that they didn't do a decent days work unless he was there. I think it is only natural to have a little moan here & there, we all do it but just don't take it to heart :)

I would honestly say what Just said! Yes, he was having a moan but it's still rude... let him know you heard

& unless your home resembles a scene from 'How Clean is your House?' I think he should mind his own business, tbh!

When our builders thought we were out I overheard their conversations- hilarious. Consisted of

Bitching about other builders who weren't there
Best recipes for lamb curry
How the school was "against" their kids

When the grounds man left, he spotted my car & quickly pulled up at the end of the drive to let the builder know I was home. Hilarious. He was rather sheepish :)

I was cleaning at a house whilst the builders were there. They'd lost their hammer and the husband of the house offered them his.

It was in their words "the gayest hammer ever made and looked like it had been made to break toffee"

I think that's just builders for you!

I'd say "I can't offer you a cuppa atm as you'll be pleased to know I'm tidying up!"

Take him a (really horrible) cuppa and say just to let you know, the sound carries terribly in this house so if you want to muck in with the tidying when you're done that would be lovely!! Big smile, walk away.

But why be mean? They're just on a job having a chat. Unless they'd said something misogynistic/racist it's much of nothing isn't it?

saying that I'd be mortified and hoovering anything that didn't run away

My builder had the cheek to tell me that his wife would never leave washing on the side of the sink as he look at the stuff on my sink!!! Thought it was bit unfair as I was really stressed with work and them being in my home was not helping!