To(i)let or not to (i) let, that is the question.

I think I would rather that they used the loo and then go round with my Dettox than they do what one workman did years ago - filled an empty tin with pee and left it in the garden. I had young children at the time.
Just disgusting.

Now we live somewhere else and know and trust our tradesmen although they did eat all my mince pies last year!

Always offer workmen a hot drink and when job takes several days, I often make a fruit cake or muffins to offer with it. They are always pleased and I think it makes a difference to their pride in their finished work. As for using the loo? Of course. We had some gardening work done and found one of the men was disappearing behind the shed for a pee, although the others used the “facilities “. Much prefer the latter! ?

Of course I let workmen use the toilets - why on earth wouldn’t I? I use good tradesmen that I’ve known for a while so trust they wash their hands, but after a day stripping out whatever they’re doing I imagine there’s quite a few germs floating about so would spray down surfaces when they are finished anyway.

As for lunch money and sandwiches I offer tea, coffee and biscuits to workmen and nothing more than a cheerful “thank you” to the delivery drivers. I did once give one a bottle of water and an ice lolly - it was a baking hot day, he had loads of deliveries still to do and his air con had broken. He seemed quite touched (in a good way, not with the heat)

Doodle I hope the workmen change the bed linen after their nap!

Doodle you made me laugh out loud - thank you !! ???

Crumbs I feel really mean. I always provide hot drink and biscuits to workmen and sometimes cake but I never give them lunch or money. As for delivery drivers !!!! as maw said, how long do they stay for?
We live in a flat and have contract cleaners in to do the communal areas twice a week. They are here for an hour or so, perhaps I should cook them a hot meal and invite them to use our bed for a nap before they leave. Once every few years we have a painting team in to pain the outside of the premises. They are usually here for about 4 weeks ......I better start looking at outside caterers for their visit ?

We have a jokey notice in our downstairs loo which recommends a straight aim and leaving it as you found it. So far so good.
I don't mind anyone using the cloakroom or bathroom but dislike anyone using en suite other than OH - even the GC unless it's an emergency!

Jeez, let the poor blokes use the loo! If my husband who's 65 thought he wouldn't be allowed to 'use the facilities ' then he would not take on the job! Make sure the toilet cleaner is in clear view and ask them to use it when they have flushed.
I have heard it said that there are more germs on a computer keyboard than a toilet seat, don't know how true that is though.

In think if they are going to be there more than a couple of hours then offer a drink and a biscuit. But from my experience workmen usually provide their own food and drink, and eat it in their vehicle.

When I've had workmen in the house or garden I alway provide tea and coffee if they want. I also do a baking beforehand and find they enjoy a scone or cake. I have never been annoyed about them using the toilet and I always have said "Yes" but now wonder what their reaction would have been if I had said "No"! The only time this differed when we had garden and fencing work done by Community Service workers and their foreman explained they would enjoy tea and eats but were not allowed to use the toilet as that would mean them entering the house. They were a great bunch of lads and certainly appreciated the baking!!!

In my experience, workmen like to have lunch in their vans in private. I offer tea and coffee frequently but would never dream of giving them lunch money nor feeding a courier.

I wipe down everywhere they have been when they have gone and change the towel. I don't like them using the toilet but it's not reasonable to refuse. Most do not wash their hands in my experience.

Changing the subject slightly - I lived in rural Essex on the corner of a very busy A road and there were often accidents that blocked the whole road for hours. I often had queues winding down my drive and up the lane waiting to use my loo!!! Thankfully we had a downstairs cloakroom and I wasn't on a water meter!!! and yes it got a good clean afterwards!

???

Great solution for a 'long, drawn out job', Gonegirl!
Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I read somewhere it's only £28 a week to hire a portaloo. I think I would pay that if I was having a long drawn out job done.

I only have one bathroom in my apartment(s) and no room either for a cloakroom (second loo) so I’ve no choice!

I assume by providing lunch money Gabriella you are encouraging said workmen to spend it in the nearby cafe and use their loo.

I’d be tempted to leave them to it and go out for the day asking them to phone me when almost done so I could high tail it back! Probably because only having one loo in my small place would be slightly embarrassing (for them and me).

Like you Gabriella I feel the same about workmen using the loo, but if there for a long time they simply have to.Fortunately we have a loo near the back door for them to use ( we use it as a gardening loo?....when coming in all mucky from the garden.)I would just give the loo a good clean when they had gone...bleach is your friend.

I've had a few workmen in this week and all asked to use the toilet . No hand washing either ! So as soon as they were away I got out the disinfectant ( I'm recovering from surgery ) and sanitised the place !

Oh heck, our postman sometimes comes at lunchtime - I've never thought to give him sandwiches or a drink before, or even offer him the use of the toilet. How could I have been so remiss!

polyester57 Sun 17-Nov-19 14:51:20
This reminded me of the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I don’t like workman using my loos, but if they are there all day they have to go somewhere.

I’m more concerned about my gardener who is there one day a week while I’m at work, he’s bound to go at sometime!

Nowadays workmen don't seem to accept cups of tea/coffee & biscuits like they used to. I've given up offering now. Regarding the loo, if nature calls, what's the alternative? Not everyone's habits will be to our liking but there's unlikely to be anything that some disinfectant and an old cleaning cloth won't solve.

In this area, when anyone is having substantial work done, the company proves a portaloo. Our neighbours had one in pride of place in their front garden when they had a new kitchen fitted.

I provide tea/coffee to any workmen who are going to be here some time, but I never provide lunch. (They tend to have their own, anyway, plus what about possible allergies - you have to be so careful nowadays).
I let them use the loo if they need it, but it gets a good clean along with the sink and taps after they have gone.

Never occurred to me not to let workmen use my loo after all they have to go somewhere. I only provide tea and biscuits not lunches. The last plumber I had liked to start work at 7am anyway and work through till 3ish so he could get home before the rush hour, never took a lunch break. I do think if he really was the company director I would be inclined to mention to the workmen quite casually if they asked to use the loo. "Well I never mind but please could you not do what so and so did and make sure you flush afterwards" I bet it would get round the office! I also might put them an old towel out so if they were worried about their hands being a bit grubby I could tell them it didn't matter.
I do wonder do you let visitors use your loo?

This reminded me of the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

My daughter works as a courier and when I shared that you give them sandwiches , crisps and a bottle of water she nearly fell off her chair * Gabriella* !! She has approximately 3 minutes to park , get to the door , ring, knock, count to 10, write card and leave !

She said in all her years doing the job she’s been offered water twice ( during last years hot summer and the people were 2 of her regulars) . She’s thinking of changing rounds to your area lol