Etiquette re landscapers taking their lunch break on my front lawn

[Anonymous]

You are right in being annoyed. Your front yard is not a park. At least, they could ask you for permission.

[Anonymous]

This would not bother me. I feel so fortunate that I do not have to do manual labor that I treat every one I hire to do it for me with extra kindness.

However, I get it. We all have things that just don’t sit right with us.

[Anonymous]

Be a decent person, don’t be the old hag in the neighborhood screaming get off my lawn!!!

I would guess for formal neighbors kindly allowed them to eat lunch in comfort under a shaded tree. Maybe bring out some lemonade or cupcakes once in awhile. Maybe have lunch with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll bet OP is an immigrant from one of those countries where they treat hired help like an inferior species.

India does that. They are nobody’s favorite people when it comes to doing work for them.

[Anonymous]

Eh, I'm watching lawn dudes sit in my driveway right now, and have been lunching for 30 mins plus. They are also doing a season final cleanup on north shore of long Island. They're really enjoying their lunch. They get straight back to work and break their asses. I think it's alittle bit of us, being tolerant of others different eating cultures. It's clear they are a different culture than everyone on my block. Whatever they need to do to get the job done. If that's a half hr lunch in my driveway, sure. I wish I would have brought chairs for them. I know I don't want to do the cleanup. Just because they are paid does not mean they have to be our slaves. Everyone is entitled to a break, sorry if you don't want to see it. You can hire a different service, or do your own.

[Anonymous]

I think that in your place, I’d take them some cold drinks.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you’re totally wrong . It’s weird . I’ve been seeing that around my new neighborhood I found this search by asking the same question.

I’ve had lawn people take their lunch on peoples lawns and I’ve seen it my whole life . That’s not the entire issue I’m seeing. They are like really making themselves at home it’s actually so weird . Like sprawling out watching movies on their phone and in weird spots.

I think I’m a generous person I don’t not want them to take a break at my house. I don’t think my feelings are off . It’s disrespectful what I am seeing . They are not in one spot. It’s like all over the place and the way they are doing it .. it’s weird. I’m thinking of ordering a picnic table and asking them to sit there or something because I haven’t gotten outdoor furniture yet .

[Anonymous]

Shoo them off with a broom. Or a gun.

[Anonymous]

Suggest a nearby park, 7/11 parking lot, or their truck’s seats, where they will be more comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Turn the sprinklers on

[Anonymous]

Everyone deserves a lunch break.

We get a crew of mostly Guatemalan immigrants from our local garden center to do seasonal changeovers in our yard. They work hard and the yard is immaculate when they are done.

They take a hard earned lunch break under a tree.

OP--consider taking them some chocolate chip cookies and some sodas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to see a quick poll of the room as to how many people here serve contractors lemonade. As to being a monster, geez... I called it a minor irritation. Considering all the things that people are capable of, and have done in recent news, perhaps your perspective needs adjustment. It's not like I don't think they deserve a break. I just never volunteered my front lawn as their personal breakroom.

I’ve offered gatorades to numerous contractors, even bought them lunch a few times for longer term projects. I’ve given away a ton of hand me down baby gear to our house cleaners. I am fine with them taking breaks on my porch or wherever.

Oh and I had one contractor tell me they totally factor in how they’re treated when they decide which clients to work with and whether they’ll give you a referral to other contractors. Most service contractors in this area are busy and I see threads on here all the time from people who can’t seem to get an estimate or a call back. Being pleasant to work with will help you in the long run and is the right thing to do.

Being a good quality person will also get you fair pricing. Contractors can be choosy about which jobs to take on,

[Anonymous]

Americans are generous of heart to our service workers.

This is not Dubai where service workers are treated like slaves.

[Anonymous]

This is 2 years old of a thread.

[Anonymous]

I am, admittedly a snobby woman, and even I wouldn't care about this.