I offer, but they always decline as they have their own

in our house we offer anyone and everyone a drink if we are eating we offer food, that's being courteous, 99.9% of the time that offer is refused as most tradies would have their food and drink

I am the same as you Susanne I always ask them if they would like tea or coffee and I also ask them if they would like to have lunch most of the time they say they have brought there lunch with them but if they havent they have lunch as well

My wife always offers tea, coffee, juice and snacks but they usually bring their lunch and snacks as well so we have never had to offer lunch as of yet but if ever we have to I think we will because it is nice and polite thing to do. That's for my wife and me but it is upto you whatever you think is best.

The nice gesture on your part is to offer something if you can. The rest is up to the worker(s) to accept or not.

Offering drinks is good enough. My brother is a painter (paints houses) and he's on the introverted side, so doesn't like being offered anything lol. He just wants to focus on the job and work. He has his own cooler in his work van filled with water and food. He doesn't want to get stuck getting offered food and socializing.

Nope. Already paying through the nose for their services, plus a call out rate. I never got paid for driving to work.

When we get some work done at home we always offer something to drink. We also will get them a pizza or some type of food for lunch. If by showing a bit of respect and offering food makes them appreciate us, I will do it. It's not something they expect but it is always nice to offer.

I feel it's the right thing to do if they're spending a whole day at your property doing a job. Often I found they brought their own lunch etc but I like to offer nonetheless.

I would always offer a meal to anyone who was at my house at meal-time. They can refuse if they don't feel comfortable about it. You can learn a lot by talking to people informally, things they wouldn't say while working!

you shouldn't feed the tradies - it only encourages them....

I've seen many buying coffee and big fat lunches every day. So they aren't exactly starving. Lol

In Australia labourers are very well paid for their work, unless they are just starting out. No need to feed them. Some earn over $100,000+ per year. Some of them are terrible at their job. Just hearing about all the faulty houses they build in Australia. Makes me sick! No pity for many of them!

Your question reminds me of my working years. Whatever job I had, others soon learned that I would eat anything offered to me! I have a big appetite, and so they would offer me anything they didn't want. As long as I was working hard, I never gained weight, even if I was offered a left over cake, of which I would finish before I got it home! Now, at 76, I'm managing my weight and appetite very well, but really enjoyed all of the leftovers! Waste not, want not. ;-D

Nothing wrong with offering a tradies a cup of coffee/tea and biscuits.95% of the time will politely decline,Good nature of kindness, unless, its someone you know, out of respect for you will sit down and talk with you and maybe a cup of coffee

defo dooo .... good old australian. country hospitality we have zero class system here due to our convict heritage =and everyone is welcolme at my table i married a tradie lol before it was cool and my son is a self emplyed chippie like his dad very proud my daugter is high up in corporate, Without a uni degree and great mentors ......

I assume tradies are blue collar laborers. This is obviously an down under "thing". We don't come in contact with our laborers.

I always like to offer to feed them.

being kind and respectful

simple offer shows respect thanks !

Yes. I always offer tea/coffee & cakes for morning & afternoon tea breaks., cool drinks depending on the weather. Mostly they bring their own lunch, if not yes I will offer them lunch.

When I was a tradie it was always welcomed but never to be expected, didn't sit down with 'clients'. Tradie = tradesperson, Chippie = Carpenter Joiner, Sparkie = Electrician, Lackie = the newest member of the team.

It's most polite to offer, but due to some unionized trade clauses, they may have the right to decline/refuse. These days kindness is rare (or priced into the jobs). Yet, I would say offer, offer, offer, even water, ice or even a cold one, a shaded chair or a cooler ....it's up to them to accept or not- no harm no foul!!😇

I dont eat when they are around fixing things as I havn't had someone there that long

yes!

I didn't understand the term "tradies" either, but I always offer food to whomever is around.

I am not sure what a tradie is, but based on the picture I am going to say yes. Here in the states we call them construction workers.

Yes, it's only polite and thoughtful. These tradesmen and women are most likely very grateful that you see them as people and not below you. Yes, they're getting paid to do the job for you, but if you're having lunch, offer them a plate. If you're having a tea, offer them a tea. A stick of gum, offer them a stick of gum. Didn't you learn this as a toddler? You share with those around you. If I'm in a doctor's waiting room and have a Mentos, I'll offer one to the others in the room. Often, someone will take one. (I pop it out of the package directly into their palm) Everyone is happy:) And does it seriously hurt to think of others?!

Most tradie jobs don't take all day to complete. Many are small jobs.

when we were having our house re-modelled, I used to offer the tradies a coffee or tea and sometimes they would buy us Morning tea

My son is a tradie so I guess if it was a scorching hot day and he was working outside someone's house for more than a few hours of course I think it's only right to offer drinks at the bare minimum. I always do . It's called manners. Usually they have lunch in the truck or work van or they'll skip off and grab it on break.. But hey most would love a basic sandwich or biscuit with a coffee if you could spare it ...lt's tough yakka labouring . Tip , if you want the job done even better ,be NICE! They're only humans too !! Edited 07-May-24 01:07am

hat the heell is a tradie

I often offer lunch, or bake muffins or fresh buns for them instead as they usually turn lunch down. I actually baked a birthday cake for one guy last year (I am a stay at home that loves baking) and it was so much fun for me and my kids. He said it was his first birthday cake in years. Once a man sat with us for lunch. He said was astounded as the week before the clients denied him water on a super hot day. They told him he should have been better prepared. It was 40•c and he was doing a driveway! Do what works for you, but simply giving them the drinks has always been appreciated. Sometimes the little things you're able to do mean a lot more than you realize.

Depends your house your rules

Some tradies are rude and unless you know them well, or they done other jobs for you, I would not bother. Most tradies are capable of buying their own lunch or going for a snack. Some bring snacks and drinks with them, in their vans. Also depends on how long they are there for. If all day, you could offer them a drink, but most are capable of thinking about their own needs before they come there. Also, some tradies might think you are coming onto them. So don't want to give them the wrong impression. Lol Don't be too friendly. Lunch isn't called for either. That's going too far!Edited 07-May-24 00:24am

Do what you want to do...its your house

What a stupid daily discussion! Is this the best you can come up with? Yawn!

No a coffee, tea or water is fine. A lunch never and definitely not to sit down with the family. You have to keep it professional.