Observations by Key Monroe~~Home of Right Opinions, Cynical Viewpoints, and TMI in Hefty Doses
|E-mail: keymonroe [at] alltel [dot] net

February 27, 2006

Question...

And first, thanks for the support on the last post. I needed to share, due to the weirdness factor.

The question is: Is it a strange thing to offer workmen coffee? I always have. Never had a prob. And NEVER thought of it as an overture, but rather an obligation to well-bred hospitality.

I recall that even some Manhattenites have similarly pondered:

KRAMER: Did you offer those guys a drink?

JERRY: Uh, no. Should I have?

KRAMER: What kind of a person are you?

JERRY: I don't know.

Are Kramer and I alone here? What's the norm?

(I'm usually on top of shit like this, but there seems to be a few gray areas. And hey, as long as I'm asking, and I hate to use the valet. Control issue. My car. My keys. Go away. But on the occasion that I do, tip on the take and the return, or just the return? Because if it's both, I've missed my calling.)

posted by Key on 01:25 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I'm a naturally wary person when workmen that I don't know have to come into my home. I offer coffee to those that I know well and those that I don't...well...they get the check and a polite thank you before being sent on their merry way.

The valet thing? Color me clueless. I'm totally out of my element with classy shit like that. If I had to pull an answer out of my ass, I'd say you should tip on the return because when the take the car, they technically haven't done anything worthy of tipping yet.

Posted by: Chablis at February 27, 2006 08:27 PM

I offer coffee and on the rare occasion where I am FORCED to valet, I tip on return only.

Posted by: Ronda at February 28, 2006 07:54 AM

If I happen to be home, I offer Budweiser, or a shot, regardless of the time of day. I want my vendors to be comfy with my condition. As for valet parking, tip only on return. Then accuse them of drag racing your SUV while you were dining. Works about half the time. Free parking.

Posted by: Velociman at February 28, 2006 10:32 PM

Offer coffee?...stupid men think it's an invitation.

Posted by: vk at March 3, 2006 07:54 PM

Back in the day, offering a workman something to drink was the RIGHT thing to do. We offered our carpet installers sodas or beer...we bought our movers lunch and sodas...I've offered my apartment maintenance man drinks. But that is with my husband or roommate home. Never alone, not these days. In fact, I won't have a workman come to my home, intentionally, without someone here with me. Some call it paranoid. I call it cautious.

As for the valet, you tip upon return.

Posted by: Dana at March 6, 2006 06:54 PM

If you offer 'em coffee, be prepared to let 'em use the bathroom. 'less you wannem pissin inna bushes.

Posted by: Barry at March 31, 2006 07:51 AM

Easy. I have no coffeemaker, due to my preference of caffiene in soda (Dr. Pepper please) or cocoa. The latter heated with hot water works! ;)

Posted by: Nancy at May 31, 2006 01:15 PM
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