Waiting for tradesmen to arrive can be fraught with frustration
"I'll see you at 9 am" comment often means " I'll be there the day after tomorrow"
And there is many a time I have resorted to almost tearful follow up telephone calls pleading and begging for someone to turn up.
With tradesman, the old phrase "The customer is always right" never applies
For the most part, they are a law unto themselves.
Today's tradesman ( the plumber) has given me a 2pm- 4pm arrival window, so I have lined up several indoor jobs to do whilst I wait.
The trick to reduce stress when waiting for someone like the plumber to arrive is to remain busy.
Being busy prevents those embarrassing " where the hell are you?" Follow up telephone calls.......
It was a few minutes past 2pm , and after fabreezing the cottage, I had just got all serious with my elbows deep in a half constructed Mary Berry's bread and butter pudding when the plumber turned up.
Not only was he punctual,
He was courteous
Friendly
Helpful.
He didn't suck air between his teeth nor did he shake his head slowly
And he didn't scream when Winnie stuck an enquiring fat nose between his thighs when he got down and dirty with the toilet U bend.
For some reason bulldogs are totally fascinated by visiting workmen.it is something I noticed with both Constance and Mabel . Indeed I remember clearly the moment Constance sexually molested the meter reader in our front room like it was yesterday.
The poor boy didn't quite know where to look.
Anyhow , our plumber ( note I say that he's our plumber now) took Winifred's goo goo eyes all in his stride and actually seemed to enjoy the attention she was giving him.
" I've got a load of dogs at home" he chirped cheerfully as Winnie blew kisses into his face
" I needn't of used all of that fabreeze" I thought to myself.
"I'll see you at 9 am" comment often means " I'll be there the day after tomorrow"
And there is many a time I have resorted to almost tearful follow up telephone calls pleading and begging for someone to turn up.
With tradesman, the old phrase "The customer is always right" never applies
For the most part, they are a law unto themselves.
Today's tradesman ( the plumber) has given me a 2pm- 4pm arrival window, so I have lined up several indoor jobs to do whilst I wait.
The trick to reduce stress when waiting for someone like the plumber to arrive is to remain busy.
Being busy prevents those embarrassing " where the hell are you?" Follow up telephone calls.......
It was a few minutes past 2pm , and after fabreezing the cottage, I had just got all serious with my elbows deep in a half constructed Mary Berry's bread and butter pudding when the plumber turned up.
Not only was he punctual,
He was courteous
Friendly
Helpful.
He didn't suck air between his teeth nor did he shake his head slowly
And he didn't scream when Winnie stuck an enquiring fat nose between his thighs when he got down and dirty with the toilet U bend.
For some reason bulldogs are totally fascinated by visiting workmen.it is something I noticed with both Constance and Mabel . Indeed I remember clearly the moment Constance sexually molested the meter reader in our front room like it was yesterday.
The poor boy didn't quite know where to look.
Anyhow , our plumber ( note I say that he's our plumber now) took Winifred's goo goo eyes all in his stride and actually seemed to enjoy the attention she was giving him.
" I've got a load of dogs at home" he chirped cheerfully as Winnie blew kisses into his face
" I needn't of used all of that fabreeze" I thought to myself.
A few years ago my water/waste pipe clogged up, 6 feet under my front lawn. Workmen showed up with a ditch witch, dug a grave-size hole in the yard, then left for a week. Sounds like you got a 'good un'.
ReplyDeleteWe have a deprecate insurance just in case of that eventuality
DeleteA rarity for a plumber to be punctual!! Sounds like an awesome plumber. And you HAVE to make a blog post out of the story of Constance sexually molesting the meter reader. Please I am begging you.
ReplyDeleteKeith I will look for it......and send you the link
DeleteHe may have been punctual, but don't forget the plumber's maxim "A thing of beauty is a joy for two weeks".
ReplyDeleteCynic
DeleteKeep that punctual plumber!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure that Winnie herself wasn't molested by the plumber when you weren't looking? Lying there on the sofa she looks shagged out. Check to see if it's included on your bill.
ReplyDeleteOperation yew tree all ver again!
DeleteOur dogs get really excited when the electricity company turns up to read the meter. The meter is in the cupboard under the stairs and as soon as the man/woman kneels down to read the meter, the dogs both cram into the cupboard 'to help' and kiss his/her face!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's not just my lot then
DeleteWe had an annual contract for furnace & AC maintenance, and one technician endeared himself to us when I caught him petting the cat while kneeling in front of our open utility closet. The plumber, on the other hand, acted like he didn't notice her, even when she reached up from the chair he was standing next to, and planted both front paws on his chest in search of the strings from his hoodie. Him, he was a jerk.
ReplyDeleteIf the bulldog likes the plumber so do i
DeleteBefore taking on any tradesman in our house they have to pass the "dog test" When visiting for a quote we let both our dogs meet and greet them. If they dislike the dogs or the dogs dislike them they dont get the job! simples! Although the kitchen took a bit longer to build.. We kept finding the builder/plumber acting like a silly bugger in the garden with them both.
ReplyDeleteThe breeder of all our terriers is just like that.
DeleteShe once refused to sell adog to a couple who turned up Kate to her house
The late great smooth collie Faulkner chose my moving company. The guy who petted him and made a fuss over him got the contract. Not the lady who squealed in fear and disgust, Oh! He's going to lick me! Faulkner wasn't much of a kisser. He would put up his nose very gently so I could kiss him.
DeleteLove,
Janie
The Square Ones either won't leave them alone sniffing shoes and pants legs, stealing, gloves, hammers or untie shoelaces.
ReplyDeleteMany times it is just easier to put them outside.
cheers, parsnip
Scotties like to watch...do they not?
DeleteDon't generalise so on my behalf please. Participation's the thing (although never with a plumber)
DeleteWe have 2 excellent plumbers, one we have fits the bathrooms etc and the other one that does all of our servicing, new radiators and check the boiler. Both, always on time, always tidy, always clean up after themselves. No plumbers crack, and no waiting for them whilst they nip off for a year whilst getting a 'dingle dongle whats it' for a pipe. Our chimney sweep is a delight, he sings opera, also always on time and never a hint of soot anywhere. Our window cleaner is a joy. First Saturday of every month windows, every third month he does the gutters. Our neighbours now also use the sweep and the window cleaner. They were so impressed.
ReplyDeleteThe man that fitted our wood burning stove? that is another story! Rotter he was
I am our chimney sweep!
DeleteAnd I am cheap
Okay, he's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear. You think you have problems. The handle you flush with broke. Again. One can flush. No problem. Without a handle. Just keep the lid off the cistern. Pull. Forcefully. Marvel at the intricacies of the insides of a cistern. Six weeks later ...? No. And I don't even have a dog to keep the (or any) plumber away.
ReplyDeleteU
Once you live with something for a while..it never seems to get fixed or repaired does it?
DeleteThere is only one thing I hate more than plumbing and that is more plumbing.
ReplyDeletei have had workmen in to day,( new windows) my dog follows them around waiting for one to to bend down, like a flash tounge in the gob and one work man down on his back with shock, well got to get my laughs some how
ReplyDeleteHow could anyone not adore that beautiful face?
ReplyDeleteMine or Winnie's pat?
DeleteLaugh-out-loud hilarious!
ReplyDeleteOh he's a keeper! Punctual, courteous, no annoying habits AND sensible enough to like MiLady...wonder if he likes to travel...
ReplyDeleteHehe.
ReplyDeleteGlad that your workman worked out so well!
A good plumber is worth his weight in good. Mine is named Tony. If he weren't married, I would do everything possible to seduce him and make him mine.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
That should have said worth his weight in gold. I am an idiot.
DeleteI don't wish to be rude but... why is Winnie always wearing a face that is about six sizes to big for her?
ReplyDeleteIs that the way bulldogs like to dress?
"too" not "to". I know... I know...
ReplyDeleteIt's the classic " bulldog" look
DeleteBig skin
My own face moving in that direction was one of the things that prompted me to lose two stones. Maybe I should not have bothered, but then again I don't really want to be appealing to any of the plumbers I've ever had in my home.
DeleteAh, yes, he'll be coming for the dog and staying for the repair job.
ReplyDeletePunctual and pleasant, definitely keep hold of this one.
ReplyDeletePunctual and pleasant? A plumber? My recent experience with the breed suggests you have been snorting Fabreeze.
ReplyDeleteVery funny post, i've had a plumber here at my house and both labs kept sniffing his crotch whilst he had a cuppa.....tres embarassment !
ReplyDeleteObviously plumbers are quite used to behaviour like this
DeleteLove that last photo ….. I can see just why you love Winnie so much. XXXX
ReplyDeleteAww, that face...who could resist!
ReplyDeleteWhen P goes to unblock drains, like everyday, the first thing I ask him each night is "were they nice to you?" That is all that matters.
ReplyDeleteGood to have a reliable plumber that you know will be OK with the critters.
ReplyDeleteIf they pass the cats' test...they're in.
ReplyDeleteJane x
She is so cute! I wonder if you plumber makes a house call on this side of the pond?
ReplyDeleteOne can usually not afford to wait to wait too long for a plumber. The longer it takes him to arrive, the bigger the problem he will face.
ReplyDeleteGood, courteous, punctual plumbers that get the thumbs up from the dogs are worth their weight in gold! Hang on to him!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo of your Wini on the couch ! Such a pretty bulldog !
ReplyDeleteA reliable plumber who loves dogs ... sorted !
ReplyDeleteOur dogs get terribly excited by visiting workman and contractors, but once the initial 'getting to know you' thing is over with they leave them well alone (well apart from Suky trying it on at lunchtime). I think they would let them run off with all the family silver if they wanted to .... perhaps they did ...we don't seem to have any ;-)
ReplyDeleteI can't tolerate waiting on workmen...if you can't be here just tell me. You were very lucky with this one! And Winnie looking as adorable as ever!
ReplyDeleteWHo could resist Winnie?!
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful plumber. He passed the 'Grace test.' Grace was my feral cat who adopted me as her human. When the plumber was here to fix something, he said, "I hope you don't mind that i let the cat out." I asked which one and was stunned when he said the black and white one. The fact that she showed herself to him was startling enough, but to walk to the door and wait for him to get close to her as he opened it and let her out? I was gobsmacked.
ReplyDeleteWhen one finds a good plumber, you should make him a friend for life!
ReplyDelete