Feeding workmen

I even forget coffee. Fortunately my daughter usually remembers. Manners are a thing of the past to me, clearly.

My husband is a handyman and always gets offered tea and biscuits which he does accept gratefully
. He actually has been offered food on different occasions More often with people he really knows. Like today a sandwich off my friends mum who he’s been doing decorating for.

I always offer d

I always offer drink and biscuits. Its tricky at the moment. The handyman who came yesterday brought his own coffee so I didnt offer.

I would offer tea/coffee or water but nothing more. I have found in more recent years that many actually decline the offer. They have large bottles of water/fizzy drinks or nip off and come back with a take away coffee from a coffee shop. Suits me!

Thanks everyone for your kind replies it looks as if I’m doing the same as the majority of you, I don’t feel like a meanie now ?

No need to offer lunch or sandwiches. Tea and biscs and maybe a piece of cake if you are having it is more than enough. Re making sandwiches. Why don't youmake them before the workmen arrive = put them in a cool box until needed. This way you do not disrupt the workers

Coffee or tea, if it's hot squash or water.... and biscuits, if there are more than one and are here for the day a whole packet, usually chocolate. I have been known to make a toasted sandwich occasionally, but usually they arrive with a lunchbox.

Have workmen in at present, always make them tea ,coffee or cold drinks ( actually tell them to help themselves to cold drinks from fridge) they are working in the kitchen.
Always leave full tin of biscuits for them to help themselves to
This seems to work for us.
They always have lunch but bring that themselves

I never feed workmen. Tea, coffee and biscuits are offered.
I once had an elderly decorator who brought a miniature picnic hamper with flask and a small radio, he asked me if it would be okay for him to listen to the cricket while he worked. My goodness he was a breath of fresh air, such a change from the builders with the loud music.
My sister is a feeder, she invites her workmen to a sit down lunch.

I don't know how anyone could not give a workman tea, coffee, cold drinks & biscuits when doing work for you. But I have seen it where I live...I have taken drinks out to workmen working on other houses when they have not been offered by the owners ... it does not seem to shame the owners.

I always offer food. 9 times out of 10 they say no but I do find that they are more amiable and friendly if I feed them. They way to a man's heart is his stomach etc etc.

Drinks yes, biscuits, maybe, if it's a long job, like kitchen remodelling etc. Actual meals, or even sanddwiches:no.
I haven't had work done during the lockdown, but thought that we were advised that workmen should bring their own drinks etc.

They go to the chippy for their lunch in my experience

No food, biscuits and coffee of course.

The plumber yesterday asked (politely) if he could heat up his burger bun in the microwave. Of course. Although the thought of a microwaved
burger bun turns me right off!

I think drinks and maybe biscuits are fine and polite to offer. Not sure about anything substantial I suppose depends on individual. Tanith you have very lucky grandsons ,that all sounds rather delicious ?

My DH was a builder - he always appreciated tea/coffee/cold drinks/biscuits but never expected to be fed, he always carried his own packed lunch.

My partner used to be a bathroom fitter and I always packed a lunch box. One couple though, ate a hot meal at lunchtime and my partner was fed a hot meal with them everyday for a fortnight. They insisted and I was relieved of lunch box duties. It was great and my partner was very grateful. He’s never forgotten their kindness

pantglas2 so glad you rephrased that!????. I was going to ask you for your workmen's address!???????

I usually offer food at lunchtime but they always have their own. I do give biscuits with tea/coffee which is always appreciated.

My experience is that they bring their own lunch but expect you to provide copious cups of tea and plenty of biscuits.

During these horrid covid-9 times we are not supposed to offer anything to workmen including tea and coffee. We are getting our bathrooms done shortly and have been told we can offer unopened pre-packed food e,g, biscuits but they will bring their own flasks of tea or coffee.

Feed, continually, Its the best (only)? way to ensure that they will go that extra mile - if and when it should be needed. Oh, and for them to remember you and your job in the future, very useful in case of future problems.
Happy fitters = excellent job.

Topcat7 yes, we are having word done soon and I was wondering about that. Where did you find that piece of information?

I had 2 men working in my garden for a few days and I offered them hot food which they declined and they had their lunch break in the local fast food place.
Then the day I had a large pot of vegetable soup simmering on the hob they commented on the lovely smell.
They enjoyed a bowl for lunch in the garden. Then the big burly middle aged man returned the bowls to the kitchen and his lip was quivering. He said it was just like his Mum’s soup and he’d not tasted anything that came close since she died.
I was quite touched by his comment.
(Hopefully it was a compliment and his mum’s soup wasn’t awful!)