When you have a tradesman in your house...

[Livinthedream]

We have just spent 2 long years building our house LOL
Here, you get morning and afternoon smoko (tea/coffee) and cake if I have baked. Glasses are in the cupboard, water is in the tap.
Beers on a friday arvo (but never before 3 or they all have a couple and bugger off lol)
Having said that, these are tradies that are here for days and sometimes weeks, painters, plasterers etc and as DP is a tradie, many are friends. However, even randoms get this treatment if they happen to be here.
I think it has gained us some loyalty and therefore better service.
But I would do it regardless.

[misty]

yes offering a drink is displaying grace and courtsey!
i never said you were rude - that is the conclusion you came too

as i said- you get what you give out-
we are not talking about a 3 course meal- even just a drink of water
i still cant get over the fact that you can have someone come into your home to do something that you cant do yourself and you cant even offer them a drink of water
maybe by reading what other people are doing when tradies come into their houses- it might give you a different perpective to what others do when they have tradies in their houses

No but you said by offerring you were showing "grace and courtesy", directly implying that by not offering I am not showing these things.

And now you are being condescending suggesting that I need a change in perspective, simply because I happen to disagree with you.

Having built and maintained two houses, and having a DH who is too busy and not inclined to do any handwork himself, I have dealt with ALOT of tradespeople - many of whom I have an ongoing employment relationship with. Not once has there been any complaints on my (apparent) lack of 'grace or courtesy' and when we meet in passing (say in the shopping centres or such) the majority of them will stop and say hello and we exchange polite chit chat.

I think it is fine that people wish to offer these things, but I do not think it is a nessecity, nor the measurement for 'grace and courtesy'. Just as some landlord choose to gift gifts to their property managers and tenants at christmas (something I don't do either), or to their mailman or delivery person (again something I do not do - although I know my delivery man by name and always spare a moment to chat about his family).

[sconeonamission]

Always offer

Obviously, if I need a drink and I'm not even working, stands to reason they would be too.

[diva det]

i did not say that you need to change your perspective- i merely suggested that the fact that people are offering a different perspective- might give you a different insight to what other people are doing
I am not being condescending- just voicing my opinion- just like you are

[*Sparklez*]

i dont think you can really say that if someone doesnt offer a tradie a drink its rude and not showing grace etc..
it depends on how the person deals with the worker more then what they have to offer them, itms?
me personally i get very shy and hate it when im alone with a person in my home, they are a stranger to me and it takes me a while to offer them stuff but i more than likely will have DH and then tell him to ask the worker..

I can understand Misty as she is right they are a worker and they are getting paid to do what they do.. its true they chose this line of work, same as a store person, if they give you great service do you go back and give her a reward? or do you let her manager know she is a great asset? same as any other employee in any line of work..

I just think like i said each to there own.. you cant pull someone up cause they dont do what "we" do cause thats her home and her life, also there is plenty of ways to show your kids great courtesy skills and manners, not just by offering beverages.. its not gonna make them anyless of a great adult.. What we do in our home and what others do in there's is there business but we shouldnt pick out those who dont follow...itms?

[Snowy Love]

I hide out in the study & let them get on with whatever they're doing & get very thirsty 'cause I think it'd be rude not to offer a drink if I'm having one, but I'm really shy so don't want to talk to them so just get thirstier & thirstier until they go.

[Boo Boo]

Yep, tea, coffee, water, sandwich for lunch....

Years and years ago, when we were moving house, my Mum made cheese and biscuits for the removalists for morning tea....when she went to unpack a week later she found the plate with leftover biscuits and mouldy cheese...

[diva det]

lol thats funny bo bo!

[Gigi]

i feel compelled to offer a drink. Like i would to anyone who enters my home.
the guy who installed insulation for me last week, i was waiting at the bottom of his ladder, waiting for him to climb down, with the largest cup of iced water, poor guy was sweltering up there in the roof cavity (even late at night, on a not very hot day), i felt so sorry for him.

if a tradie was in my home around lunch, i would offer a sandwich. NOrmally i get told "it's ok, i have lunch in my van". Most tradies i have had here are here for a pretty short time, but it's summer, it's very hot, tradies are people too.

my x used to do alot of callouts to the homes of very rich people in the most exxy suburbs. He got the full range of people , from those who offered him a full cooked meal, to people who coudln't spare a lousy glass of water (when he was there for eight hours in their home).

Alibaby, i gave the removalists a drink AFTER they had moved me. (they were happy with a coke). i can understand why you are cautious now, Saturday rates. expensive coffee break.

[MrsBexie]

I always offer a drink of water... If we have other stuff like juice or coke I'll offer that too...
If I've got any biscuits or anything I'll offer those.

I don't think it's rude not to offer a tea or coffee or food, but maybe a "let me know if you need some water" is good? Water is a neccessity, tea n
Coffee aren't.

[C~Q]

I've been thinking about this and I can tell you definitely, from my pov...tiling (and most tradie jobs) is really hard and I know that when i'd been grouting or bending over for a couple of hours you start to fade a bit and do get slower. Everytime I was offered coffee and sat for 5 mins to drink it I was always perkier and worked with a bit more determination afterwards.

So no, I don't think it's rude to not offer tea/coffee, but if the tradie is a coffee drinker I can almost guarentee that you will improve his/her day and make them work faster/better/happier if they get a hot cuppa

[Kazbah]

If I'm having a cuppa, I'll offer one. Often they'll say "no, but do you have any water". When I have a cuppa I have a couple of biscuits, so when I open the tin I offer them as well.
I also put a 6-pack on the bin for the garbo, and on a very, very hot day I'll have a zooperdooper waiting for the postie as well.

[MrsBexie]

If I'm having a cuppa, I'll offer one. Often they'll say "no, but do you have any water". When I have a cuppa I have a couple of biscuits, so when I open the tin I offer them as well.
I also put a 6-pack on the bin for the garbo, and on a very, very hot day I'll have a zooperdooper waiting for the postie as well.

I love zooperdoopers!! That's lovely of you! Lol... I'd do that for our postie but he is the sh*ttest postie and doesn't deserve it! Hahahaha

[aussienic]

I would offer! We recently had someone in doing our floors.. We weren't here though but told them to put stuff in the fridge if they needed to..

[LimeSlice]

Tea, water, coffee, cordial or beer if we have it. I tend to offer anything, I will offer bikkies or lunch depending on the job, duration and time of day also.

Again, just something I was raised to do, and as far as I always thought, a basic courtesy to someone working for you.

[C~Q]

Lol LS I just read your User title PMSL!!!

[MissM]

oh i find those people a bit rude!

We had tradies fixing our roof, and we bought them sausage rolls, muffins and coffee for breakfast!

The really appreciated the food, and we had not yet moved in so I bought some water for them too!

[nickle730]

'Would you like a tea, coffee, a cold drink?' Bikkies or a piece of cake if I'm baking... can't expect them to smell it and not taste it!! Don't usually offer a meal but I do tell them to use the fridge in the garage (which is the way tradies usually come in and out with their tools and bits) if they are here for the day.

If the tradies are here for a while my DH usually offers them a cold beer at the end of the day. I don't because, y'know... might give 'em the wrong idea!! We recently had our bathroom and kitchen reno'd, took several months and several of the tradies have become mates of my DH's. Now they come just for the beer!!