A Moral Dilemma

he not be!

My garden man comes fortnightly on the same day ..but if its torrential rain he doesn't which is perfectly understandable....when my grass got scorched last year, he didn't return until there was new growth by sending me a text to see how the grass was...very sensible -think the OP should have a conversation with him, if you've known him for over 5 years he wouldn't want to lose you as a good client,he would lose out...I often see on neighbour platform plenty of gardeners offering services local to you - perhaps you could check this out?

No I don’t think people should say I don’t want you this week without paying - gardener can’t say it’s very hot so I can’t pay my rent this week. Asking him to do different jobs is a compromise? It’s what I do with my gardener and he’s happy with that.
I feel the same about hairdressers, cleaners manicurists, physios etc unless you can give them plenty of notice and they can fill the appointment slot. The gardener has probably a fixed number of gardens and would find it difficult to add another garden every time he has a cancellation.

My hubby was a gardener for 30 years and frequently refused to cut a customer's grass if it was stilted due to dry weather as it wouldn't do the grass much good. Is your chap a gardener or just a grass cutter. There's a difference.

No moral dilemma here. Why would he even cut lawn when he should clearly see it does not need it? No decent gardener would do that.

mabon1

It is very difficult to kill grass, so if you are generally happy with his work let him be.

My sentiment. Or pay him anyway even if you don’t want it cut. It’s a struggle to get good people.

DH is very fussy about the lawn but unwell at the moment. To avoid “scalping” in the hot weather the grass is cut every week but on a high cut by a grass cutter. In wet weather it can look overgrown after a week but is still green.

If for any reason, I’m feeling ill and want a lie-in for the day, I cancel the cleaner or the gardener, but I always pay them. It’s not their fault that I’m not well and don’t want to be disturbed with all the noise that the hoover or the lawn-mower makes

Ban dogs from coffee shops?
At the risk of alienating every dog owner in the country, am I unreasonable in not wanting to negotiate dogs every time I go for a coffee or a meal? Before dog owners unleash their ire, I do not hate dogs. Far from it, we have a delightful cocker spaniel in our family but are unable to keep a dog in our flat. My query is prompted by the fact that rather than a ‘dogs welcome’ sign being displayed, I feel more ‘no dogs’ notices need to be used so that customers know where they stand. I recently visited a brand new bakery where on arrival was nearly tripped over by the owner’s dog who ‘likes to say hello’. Am I the only person who thinks dogs wandering around anywhere selling food is just not hygienic? I then felt I had to keep a careful eye on which member of staff petted said dog and whether or not they washed their hands before serving food and drinks. I really feel dog owners are now immune to how others may feel about their dog being in an indoor seating area and think that everyone should just accept their dog under the table, on a chair, on a lap etc. I’m rapidly running out of places to visit where I won’t have to negotiate dogs. Perhaps these self indulgent folks also belong to the ‘it’s only being friendly’ brigade of dog owners who inhabit every park and allow their dog to run freely and scare the life out of my granddaughter - but that’s a topic for another post. Meanwhile, does YOUR dog really need to join you every time you have a coffee?

Sakura4 you seem to have accidentally posted on the lawn cutting thread.

If you have been using him for five years and he makes a good job of it and is reliable, I would pay him half for not cutting it when it doesn’t need it, but definitely let him know in advance.

I have been employed in a similar way. He has booked his time with you and there is no way he can make up.that money, which he is relying on. I'd pay him.and say he deserves a holiday. I.have treated people who have worked for me in a similar way and they are forever grateful. My plumber came to an emergency one Christmas Eve.

Summer plans
As if this awful ‘ summer weather ‘ wasn’t bad enough .
Last week I enjoyed going to see Sir Tom Jones lovely couple of days away & on Sunday back to the same venue to see Nile Rodgers , DJ Spooney & Sophie Ellis Bextor with DH .
On Thursday we have tickets for a music event in London , train tickets & dogs in kennels booked . This is for an artist we’ve been waiting to come back to the UK for a long while .
At the weekend we have a family Beach hut day that my dd arranges annually & we’ve booked a few days more for beach hut & an Airbnb.
On our way home we collect our ‘ new to us ‘ caravan which I am super excited about .
Sad to say I have succumbed to a nasty 🦠 virus throat, chest , heaving it started on our way home on Sunday & I thought I just had a dry mouth & needed a drink !
We knew these two / three weeks were going to be super busy but didn’t factor in this . So rest & r hopeful recovery & we can carry on with our plans ,
Yes , I know worse things happen , before I am told .