Tradesman calling? Put the kettle on...

‘Everything stops for tea’ or so the lyrics of the wartime melody suggested, while Bernard Cribbins’ hapless 1962 ‘Right said Fred’ removal men got no-where at all even after several cups of tea.

Tea and tradesmen are synonymous, but it seems that such hospitality as ‘putting the kettle on’ for tradesmen is dying out especially amongst the younger generation, according to new research by Populus for AA Home Membership*.

Those aged under thirty-five are most likely to say that ‘tradespeople should make sure they’ve got enough food and drink to last them the day’ – 78% compared to 57% of over 65s. They’re also most likely to say: “they’re paid to do a job, not drink tea” - 44% agreed with this, compared to 35% per cent of over 65s.

But older customers value good workmanship, with 59% of over 65s saying a tradesman should be ‘rewarded’ with a cuppa if they’ve done a good job. By contrast, just 45% of under 35s agree.

Helen Brooker, Head of AA Home Membership said: “Making tea is one of the Great British institutions and it can help smooth the way in helping ensure your tradesmen or women do a decent job.

“Many people who don’t even drink tea will keep a box at home – just in case they have visitors.

“If you’re a tradesperson doing some work in a customer’s home it must be nice to be offered a cup of tea – especially if you’ve had a busy day. But I imagine it’s a ‘nice-to-have’ rather than something that’s expected.”

But tea-loving tradesmen need not fear – overall, the majority of people still think that offering a heart-warming cuppa is good manners.