British Workers and their Tea Breaks

Well, that's true. You don't see near the amount of people here as you do in the US carrying water bottles and the like.

Honestly, I can't imagine not offering something.

Same.
Seens like a common courtesy.

The men that came to install sheetrock on the ceilings in the closets needed 2 breaks in their 2 hours of work (they arrived first thing in the morning so it wasn't like they were working all day either) and they left midway and came back hours later to finish up. 

Just be happy they came back to finish the job, rather than disappearing into the ether without a trace, like they never existed.

Like the clowns that installed 80% of my kitchen, and were never heard from again.

p.s. And I did offer tea, several times.  It didn't make any difference.

At 'woadgrrl' ~ ...and the shops close at 6pm! , badly needs a 24hr TESCOS there.

Sounds like the workers in the original post were really taking advantage to have that much break in that short a time! I always offer tea but then again I remember my Mom offering the guys who did our windows and back deck etc. a cold drink.

At 'woadgrrl' ~ ...and the shops close at 6pm! , badly needs a 24hr TESCOS there.

Our local shop is open until 10 pm now, every day.  Of course, that doesn't mean there's anything on the shelves...

To the OP... its nothing new.. think you,l just have to get used it it.. 

Bernard Cribbins "Right said Fred"

Such a funny thread!

My hubby is a builder, and he hates tea. He really HATES it. He drinks really strong coffee.

Every time he walks into a job in a home, he is offered a cuppa, which he accepts, so as not to be rude. Even tho he HATES it! And, he drinks all of it, to be polite!

Some days, when he is doing company pricing, he will go to about different 6 homes in a day, and he will accept, and drink, 6 cups of tea in a day!

Here, it is rude not to offer a cuppa, and (in my hubby's mind) rude not to *accept* a cuppa!!!

When I hired people in NYC, I always offered them a drink AND a snack. I think it is the Latin culture to do so? Not sure. But, I have always done that. Although, I never offered tea. I offered whatever cold drinks we had, and coffee. I got lunch for my movers, always! Usually a pizza.

Here, I have even offered tea and coffee to the workers who were fixing the gas line on my street! It was cold out, and raining, and they were out there all day, for days. I made them tea every day! They were very grateful.

I even make tea for the hallway cleaners when they come. And the gardener.

The whole 'cuppa' tradition is one that I really do like.

We keep really good tea in the flat, specifically for guests, and workers, because neither of us drink it.

My hubby once jokes that I would even make tea for the foxes, if they would drink it!

Which is sadly true... 

Lara I know what your hubby means about being rude not to accept a cuppa. When Alex and I were first dating I didn't really drink tea (just Lady Grey not "normal" tea).  Unless we were at his Grandma's.  You DO NOT refuse tea at his Grandma's, it's just not done. 

LOL!!!

Sometimes when I am off at someone new's house or usually when I am visiting J's parents and they offer something to drink, I usually go for tea because they may not have x, y, z drinks but I know they will always have tea around!

Now I want some tea.

I always offer a cuppa & never have a problem with workers taking too long.

Of course, I offer them the tea we drink: decaf green tea

You have never seen people work so fast to get out of here! You would think we were serving them bleach!

HA HA HA! Danielle that is soooo funny!

The tea break is very important especially so when people come to your home to engage in work or to mend something.

It isnt just about tea. Its a cultural thing. A welcome,an extension of the hand of friendship.

Its a form of welcome and acceptance...an extension of hospitality.

It oils the wheels and make the transaction run mouch more smootly and successfully.

Top tips..

If you have someone round to do work and they are likely to be there for maybe more than half an hour, offer tea or coffee at an early stage.


If you are having more extensive work done i,e for more than a few days then simply arrange a tray with a kettle,some tea bags and maybe a small milk on the first day and just tell them to  help themselves to a "brew" when they like.

On subsequent days they will likely supply their own tea bags/milk.