Boom_Bap wrote: » What technique do you use to make the tea in your parents. Milk first?
Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: » I don't think it's unreasonable to offer a cup of tea, or a few biscuits to a tradesperson. It's a perfectly polite and mannerly thing to do. However there's a culture amongst tradesmen of taking the piss. It's a few years ago, but I was back in my parent's place for a few days R&R. It was a Friday, and they had a tiler in to put in new tiles in an ensuite bathroom. I wasn't aware of this, and immediately offered to pay for the cost of the tiles and labour. They accepted my most generous offer, and headed out for the day to the Burren. Anyway, this dodgy looking chancer arrives up around 10 in a death trap of a van. In his late 20's, and with that classic tradesman look - buzzcut haircut, tattoos, a set of teeth that look like they are all trying to get as far away from each other as possible, bloodshot eyes, rollie hanging out of the corner of his gob. I let him into the house, offered him a cup of tea, and then let him off to do his work. I then retired to the garden to read. The majority of the rest of the morning was him either making or taking phone calls with his mates - lots of guffawing, bad language, lurid descriptions of women from the local town, and excitement about going to some dance festival on Saturday night, and how 'off his tits' he was going to get. He also made himself 4 mugs of tea, and each time left the tea bag in the sink itself. I should have known then I was dealing with a semi-feral mucksavage. After a very generous lunch is terms of time taken he returned to an afternoon of being on his phone - interspersed with what sounded like periods of work. It got to around quarter to 5, and he came into the sitting room where I was listening to the radio. 'All done there, horse', he exclaimed. I enquired as to the cost of the job. I'll do it for 250 squid cash, he said. How generous of you, I said. 'I've got an equally generous offer for you. It's 150e, which represents the going rate of 35e per hour for the amount of actual work I estimated you did'. He started cursing and ranting at me, but I wasn't for moving. He eventually packed up his stuff, called me the c word, and stormed out the door. 'I won't charge you for the tea', I quipped as he hopped into the van and drove off at speed. Such a breathtaking sense of entitlement he had.
Bam Bam Mickey wrote: » Rivita and green tea. Always works.
Supernintento Chalmers wrote: » Did the same myself. A Plumber, clearly taking the piss of my Mother who lives on my own. Myself and the brother called down for a visit, he was on day 3 of a 1 day job. We told him to pack his tools and go. Refused to give him a cent, told him to get a Solicitor. I was able to do the job myself in the end, in under a day, just from watching How-To videos on YouTube.
theguzman wrote: » At what trademen charge why should they fed on top of it? Any sort of clown holding a shovel is making €200 a day now often for Cash price. No way would I be feeding them.
Slideways wrote: » Sure you did mate. I doubt you’ve the skill to tie your own shoe laces, probably rock crocs after your last attempt. There’s a reason it’s called a trade, takes years of on the job training and FAS to learn and master. I foresee one of my comrades having to return to your poor mothers house to fix the dogs dinner of a job you did. Probably to American building regulations too :rolleyes:
Supernintento Chalmers wrote: » Get real, pal! Most of what these guys learn in FAS is never used, if they're a house basher then they never really touch the complicated stuff. And for your information, the metal radiator pipe was leaking, I replaced it with the plasticy stuff, not a single leak 4 years later.
Balanadan wrote: » Some of the hatchet jobs people do are hilarious :pac: Too miserable to pay for it to be done properly but they end up paying twice (or more!) because of piss poor quality workmanship and materials.
JohnnyFlash wrote: » There’s a decent chunk of tradesmen who are unbelievable chancers of below average intelligence. Many of them left school after the junior cert just so they could go work in a job that allowed them to afford the insurance on a Peugeot 206. Some plumbing and electrical work is best left to a trusted professional, but most carpentry, tiling, brickwork could be done to a high standard by anyone with the right equipment and sense of enthusiasm. It’s not exactly rocket science.
JustAThought wrote: » I'd usually offer a cup.of tea/coffew 9n arrival in case they'd had a bad start or long drive or been up finishing off another job since dawn. Of it was an all day job I'd definately offer a sandwich or something but it wouldn't be too.complicated. if I had guys working outside I'd definately be offering coke or 7up & jugs of ice - life is short. But if you're rude and turn up 4 hours late without an apology or semi decent excuse and looking reasonably contrite for wasting a day the job will be cancelled there & then and there will be no tea or sweetness for anyone.
CinammonGirl wrote: » Thank you all for your insights, v interesting! Can't believe someone wouldn't even offer a drink/cuppa. There is a supermarket / MickeyDs across the road and these lads seem to head over there most of the time. I have no prob at all leaving out the tea/coffee bikkies and even added in some french fancies and chocolate rolls today. They are nice lads and seem to be doing a good job (well I hope tf they are).
corner of hells wrote: » Surely you mean a copper pipe or maybe gunbarrel ? The plasticy stuff? Garden house, microbore? I have a trade myself , I deal in volts and current.
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