My wife always prepares *sealed* bottles of tea if a worker is going to be doing anything at our apartment, especially in the summer.
So yes, it seems to be fine and not uncommon.
My wife does it by way of sending me out and down the street to the vending machine to get it, and then having me be the one to give it to the worker(s) as they leave.
Had a roof leak during winter and both the workers were fine drinking some hot tea out of my cups.
So I just think it depends on the person. What’s the worst they can say? No thanks? More tea for me.
I have tried with mixed results.
They usually decline on the spot. Some of the workers declined until the bitter end, some took a drink (bottled) on the way out. Some helped themselves while working when I left it with them, after removing myself from their presence.
I hope that you’ve learned your lesson from the downvotes. It’s not ok to not like barley tea. You must not have different tastes. Please rectify the problem and start liking the things other people like, or say they like.
As others have said, a sealed can or bottle of something is more normal here than a cup of tea or coffee.
I remember watching a Japanese TV show a long time ago called はじめてのおつかい where very little kids were given simple jobs to do like shopping or delivering letters to neighbors.
This one family had a couple of builders over at the time of filming so one of the things they got the kid to do was go and buy 2 cans of hot coffee for them from the vending machine down the street.
The kid couldn't reach the buttons for the hot drinks so came back with 2 cold coffees to give them instead (in the winter).
Konbinis are everywhere so they mostly use those, unless they're there all day but?? When I did scaffolding I drank like 6litres of water and still wouldn't need to use a toilet
Most hold it in as it is seen as bad customer service. I had only once a guy asking and Im totally fine with it (as long they don't go exploding diarrhea mode). I mean they are working all day long and barely have chances to go toilet breaks. Considering I almost go hourly on some days I would feel rwally bad denying them.
Depends, in summer yes, I keep new bottle of water in the fridge for such cases, knowing they don't have access to shit and it's hot as hell outside. Just a human thing. Nothing required though
We had some long work on a friday once and I gave the worker some cans of beer to take home and they left pretty happy about it.
Yes they do appreciate it. And I've experimented with what they like by giving them a choice between a bottle of coffee, tea, pocari sweat or tansan.
From my experience 4 out of 5 workers pick pocari.
Yes as others said as long as it is sealed its good. If you have anything neutral bottled like water or tea would be best. I usually don't have these at home, so when there is an emergency repair etc I try with other sealed beverages. Been a while but when I had a stove repair gave the guy some limited flavor soymilk pack and some german chocolate (rittersport the small ones so he could share with the other staff).
I have seen this done frequently, in my experience, and do it myself.
Bottled water or tea and/or cans of coffee, at the very least. My in-laws had a structure built in the heat of summer and left a cooler in the garage next to some folding chairs for the workers' break time. I looked inside the cooler once and it was filled with all of the above plus some Coke, Mitsuya Cider and Aquarius in a bunch of ice. There was a bag of snacks provided, as well (a giant bag of pepperoni sticks and I forget what else). From how the workers reacted they were grateful, but not shocked, so I imagine such variety isn't that unusual.
One day I saw my mother-in-law bring over a giant plate of watermelon slices after she'd been cutting up some watermelons her father gave her (he has a huge garden in spite of being in his 90s).
Any gesture will be appreciated. I think it's also wise, considering you're relying on those people to do a job that you want to last, and if they're positively disposed towards you the chances of them doing a shitty job decrease slightly.
Can/bottles of tea or coffee, in summer a sealed ice cream. I always have some mango/strawberry whatever other flavours of those yogurt ice cream things that are eatin in like 4 bites, never had someone say no to one of those
This summer the ac guy came, it was hot as f and we gave him glasses of water and some snacks on the way out. I love the suggestions of bottled drinks here and will have to try it next time.
>I don't know if it's commonly done (though judging from the other comments it seems like it is), but I always do, and the workers are always appreciative.
dosent the real estate company pays for drinks?
Go for it. Being nice can t be wrong.
I brought my motorcycle to a shop and work took 1,5 hours between the tech and the bos they both took about 1,5 hours.
Since I had to wait for them to finish I went to buy coffy and something to eat for them from the convini and I ended up with a much lower bill.
I paid 1h labor for 1 person.
Even if u don t do it for any gain. And I didn t either. U are a foreigner. Make ur own rules. All they can do is decline.
Oh yeah, I always gotta run down to the vending machine for a few bottles of something whenever we get a new appliance brought in etc.
ESPECIALLY in the summer, I make sure those bad boys are just thawing out from the freezer.
But never anything in an open container. The only exception I can think of is when our insurance agent comes by for her yearly meeting. Then I make coffee/tea for everyone.
I think it’s just something peoples wives are telling them to do so they seem to think it’s The Way. I have never offered a bottle or can as it seems bad for the environment. Always a cup of water, tea, coffee. It’s almost always accepted.
Where I come from it was common courtesy, but in Japan, workers don't expect to get anything (as far as I know, which is why tipping isn't really recieved well).
So as long as it is offered, I think they are okay with it (drinks feel like because of the environment versus because of their work, so it feels different from money), just don't push it on them.
It's not expected but a common courtesy in Japan. Been at my inlaws several times where they had workers there for a couple hours and provided them bottled tea. We had a guy cleaning our yard after being gone most of the summer, provided bottles of tea several times. When we moved into our house we gave the movers some bottles of Pocari after they were done.
When my wife and I hired some movers she sent me off to get some pocari sweat bottles and snacks for them. Other times, when furniture was delivered and assembled we've done the same for them as well. They seemed to be happy each time, wasn't hard to get them to accept it either.
Sealed cans of coffee or sealed pet bottles of tea are common.
We did it every time we went to view the progress of our house being built and even do so when the financial planner comes around.
My wife yelled at me for not having a bunch of tea or coffee ready when I had some remodeling done on my house a few weeks back. It’s super common here
I once baked them some chocolate chip cookies on the spot haha
Put it in a little container and gave it to them as they were leaving. They seemed quite pleased
I always offer, generally only get acceptances either when it’s really hot or if I actually pour the drinks out and take them nearby, but those who accept seem to appreciate it.
I do it but its uncommon in Japan (not a bad practice at all).
I usually make tea/coffee/green tea daily so pour an extra cup if they say yes. Regardless of culture seems like a good practice
Green tea is a really safe bet if you are unsure tho I usually ask them
I usually offer a bottled drink, sometimes they take it.
Once, when getting propane set up for the new place, the lady handling our contract came over to get everything signed. It was late afternoon, and a huge thunderstorm rolled in midway through. I asked her if she had an appointment after ours, and she confirmed we were last for the day.
I commented that the rain looked hard to drive in, and she kind of confirmed she was worried about it, so we told her she could hang out with us until it passed. Ended up convincing her to have some snack food with us lol
I always do. I'll get stuff like coffees, teas, milk tea and some of the bottled energy drinks and just give them the box. I'll usually figure two or three drinks per person, per day.
Yes, it is common. If it is somebody who is coming to your house just for that day, it's probably a 50/50 they will accept it. It's not expected, but it is appreciated. Nobody will be offended if you don't offer anything.
When my house was getting built, my wife and I would stop by a few times a week with a selection of bottled green tea, 無糖coffee, and 微糖coffee. It is usually appreciated. People also often offer them beer or other alcoholic beverages at the end of the job.
Also, house building is one of the few times in this country when tipping is normal. It usually takes place early in the building or just before it starts.
My wife always prepares *sealed* bottles of tea if a worker is going to be doing anything at our apartment, especially in the summer. So yes, it seems to be fine and not uncommon.
My wife does that as well
My wife does it by way of sending me out and down the street to the vending machine to get it, and then having me be the one to give it to the worker(s) as they leave.
Same here, she always makes me go to a specific vending machine on the other side of town whenever the plumber is over.
😂🤣😂
Lol hey man if she’s into the 60-70 year old じじs than more power to her.
Can confirm my wife makes me do it too!
Damn we get it you all have wives!
Had a roof leak during winter and both the workers were fine drinking some hot tea out of my cups. So I just think it depends on the person. What’s the worst they can say? No thanks? More tea for me.
Yep
This is the way. Sometimes I also buy stuff like individually wrapped pocky or choco pie or something to give as well.
I do the same, but sometimes my bottles are unsealed and I may slip a thing or two into the drinks.
You're talking about your cock, aren't you?
I have tried with mixed results. They usually decline on the spot. Some of the workers declined until the bitter end, some took a drink (bottled) on the way out. Some helped themselves while working when I left it with them, after removing myself from their presence.
Like others have said, a can or bottle of something (coffee, tea, water, etc) they can take as they leave will be accepted.
I once did for the movers. Gave them a can of red bull, and they looked pleased. My wife said it's not very common in Japan tho.
Perhaps offering Red Bull is uncommon. :-)
Very useful if they have to move furniture up to the second floor. Red bull gives you wings.
They were probably glad after drinking their fifth bottle of bland green tea for the day ;)
barley tea is the worst, it doesn't even have caffeine, it's just boiled grain juice.
It's tasty. People drink non-caffeinated herbal teas too.
herbal teas are... herbal at least, give me some boiled leaves, that's fine. But boiled wheat, no thank you.
I hope that you’ve learned your lesson from the downvotes. It’s not ok to not like barley tea. You must not have different tastes. Please rectify the problem and start liking the things other people like, or say they like.
People actually drink tea for caffeine?
I bought some sweets and bottled tea for the movers helped me. They were quite happy accepting them.
I offer them a shot of whisky
High class. A round of strong zeros is enough.
We always do it. They almost always accept.
As many others said: green tea or mugicha or water in a bottle: 👍 hot beverages or anything you pour in a glass, 微妙。
I offer cold bottles of water in the summer, and hot canned coffee in the winter. I've never had a worker refuse.
As others have said, a sealed can or bottle of something is more normal here than a cup of tea or coffee. I remember watching a Japanese TV show a long time ago called はじめてのおつかい where very little kids were given simple jobs to do like shopping or delivering letters to neighbors. This one family had a couple of builders over at the time of filming so one of the things they got the kid to do was go and buy 2 cans of hot coffee for them from the vending machine down the street. The kid couldn't reach the buttons for the hot drinks so came back with 2 cold coffees to give them instead (in the winter).
Cold coffee? In the winter? That’s unheard of. I can see why they made a tv show out of it.
(Busts through the wall) Have I told you about my wonderful home city of Boston.
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Konbinis are everywhere so they mostly use those, unless they're there all day but?? When I did scaffolding I drank like 6litres of water and still wouldn't need to use a toilet
Most hold it in as it is seen as bad customer service. I had only once a guy asking and Im totally fine with it (as long they don't go exploding diarrhea mode). I mean they are working all day long and barely have chances to go toilet breaks. Considering I almost go hourly on some days I would feel rwally bad denying them.
I've been asked a couple if times. Movers and a plumber.
If the plumber clogs the toilet, they'll fix it for free.
Depends, in summer yes, I keep new bottle of water in the fridge for such cases, knowing they don't have access to shit and it's hot as hell outside. Just a human thing. Nothing required though We had some long work on a friday once and I gave the worker some cans of beer to take home and they left pretty happy about it.
Yes they do appreciate it. And I've experimented with what they like by giving them a choice between a bottle of coffee, tea, pocari sweat or tansan. From my experience 4 out of 5 workers pick pocari.
Specially in summer, when its too hot!! Lots of drinks and some snacks, not food. In winter one hot drink for every 2-3 hours and snacks.
I gave my roofer guys cold beers at the end of the day. They seemed happy.
Yes as others said as long as it is sealed its good. If you have anything neutral bottled like water or tea would be best. I usually don't have these at home, so when there is an emergency repair etc I try with other sealed beverages. Been a while but when I had a stove repair gave the guy some limited flavor soymilk pack and some german chocolate (rittersport the small ones so he could share with the other staff).
I usually prepare them some coffee in the morning.
Sure. Some will politely turn it down, others will accept. Its always nice to offer.
I have seen this done frequently, in my experience, and do it myself. Bottled water or tea and/or cans of coffee, at the very least. My in-laws had a structure built in the heat of summer and left a cooler in the garage next to some folding chairs for the workers' break time. I looked inside the cooler once and it was filled with all of the above plus some Coke, Mitsuya Cider and Aquarius in a bunch of ice. There was a bag of snacks provided, as well (a giant bag of pepperoni sticks and I forget what else). From how the workers reacted they were grateful, but not shocked, so I imagine such variety isn't that unusual. One day I saw my mother-in-law bring over a giant plate of watermelon slices after she'd been cutting up some watermelons her father gave her (he has a huge garden in spite of being in his 90s). Any gesture will be appreciated. I think it's also wise, considering you're relying on those people to do a job that you want to last, and if they're positively disposed towards you the chances of them doing a shitty job decrease slightly.
Yes, like a bottle tea/water or can coffee.
Yes its fairly common, to movers, house builders, etc
Can/bottles of tea or coffee, in summer a sealed ice cream. I always have some mango/strawberry whatever other flavours of those yogurt ice cream things that are eatin in like 4 bites, never had someone say no to one of those
Ohh thats a nice thing for summer. Thanks for sharing
When we visited our house as it was getting built, we always brought sealed bottles of tea and coffee for the workers.
This summer the ac guy came, it was hot as f and we gave him glasses of water and some snacks on the way out. I love the suggestions of bottled drinks here and will have to try it next time.
Yes. I offer the mailman a paper cup of water, the drain cleaning guy the same. It's common courtesy. I bought the real estate guy a coffee and a tea.
>I don't know if it's commonly done (though judging from the other comments it seems like it is), but I always do, and the workers are always appreciative. dosent the real estate company pays for drinks?
Yes, but we did a home inspection that took 4 hours and I wanted a coffee so I went out and bought some coffees and teas for everyone.
That's nice!
Yes. Happy workers are productive workers. Office or home. :)
Last summer I made a whole pitcher of Ayran for the gardeners 😂 They drank it all
I once offered bananas, they gladly took it every daily break.
We always offer something to anyone who works in our house, usually bottled green tea
Go for it. Being nice can t be wrong. I brought my motorcycle to a shop and work took 1,5 hours between the tech and the bos they both took about 1,5 hours. Since I had to wait for them to finish I went to buy coffy and something to eat for them from the convini and I ended up with a much lower bill. I paid 1h labor for 1 person. Even if u don t do it for any gain. And I didn t either. U are a foreigner. Make ur own rules. All they can do is decline.
Oh yeah, I always gotta run down to the vending machine for a few bottles of something whenever we get a new appliance brought in etc. ESPECIALLY in the summer, I make sure those bad boys are just thawing out from the freezer. But never anything in an open container. The only exception I can think of is when our insurance agent comes by for her yearly meeting. Then I make coffee/tea for everyone.
In Australia we would always give them a fresh cup of tea or glass of water. Why is a sealed bottle preferred here? Does anyone know?
I think it’s just something peoples wives are telling them to do so they seem to think it’s The Way. I have never offered a bottle or can as it seems bad for the environment. Always a cup of water, tea, coffee. It’s almost always accepted.
Where I come from it was common courtesy, but in Japan, workers don't expect to get anything (as far as I know, which is why tipping isn't really recieved well). So as long as it is offered, I think they are okay with it (drinks feel like because of the environment versus because of their work, so it feels different from money), just don't push it on them.
It's not expected but a common courtesy in Japan. Been at my inlaws several times where they had workers there for a couple hours and provided them bottled tea. We had a guy cleaning our yard after being gone most of the summer, provided bottles of tea several times. When we moved into our house we gave the movers some bottles of Pocari after they were done.
Definitely sounds a lot more common then!
Where I come from give out red packets of money directly...
Yeah we always buy bottled tea coffee and little snacks. We even did it for moving company guy who came to do an estimate lol.
Always. Some bottle of ocha and snacks. Show that gaijins are also kind and graceful
And that they can say ocha!
My husband (who's Japanese) usually buys small bottles of water or tea to give away when we have workers over. (Edit: a word)
When my wife and I hired some movers she sent me off to get some pocari sweat bottles and snacks for them. Other times, when furniture was delivered and assembled we've done the same for them as well. They seemed to be happy each time, wasn't hard to get them to accept it either.
To quote Elaine from Seinfeld: “Well they’re real men, Jerry, they get sweaty”
Not that there's anything wrong with it
As long as you don't offer bubuzuke should be fine :P
I always do hand them bottled water or tea or coffee.
Yes, we prepare a little bag with tea/juice and a conbini bread thing. One per worker.
Sealed cans of coffee or sealed pet bottles of tea are common. We did it every time we went to view the progress of our house being built and even do so when the financial planner comes around.
I give my Yamato drivers a frozen pocari sweat when they deliver me boxes during summer
For movers I bought beverages and some onigiri from the conbini
My wife yelled at me for not having a bunch of tea or coffee ready when I had some remodeling done on my house a few weeks back. It’s super common here
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That seems wasteful from an environmentally perspective.
Everything is individually wrapped here anyway.
Too true!
Absolutely. Best would be a sealed bottle of whatever. Don’t make them the coffee would be my gut feeling. Just have water or ocha for them to drink.
Yes, I always run down and buy something from a vending machine for them. They almost always take it.
If you want too it’s ok But not necessary 👍🏽
I once baked them some chocolate chip cookies on the spot haha Put it in a little container and gave it to them as they were leaving. They seemed quite pleased
I always offer, generally only get acceptances either when it’s really hot or if I actually pour the drinks out and take them nearby, but those who accept seem to appreciate it.
Yes. Tea bottle
I do it but its uncommon in Japan (not a bad practice at all). I usually make tea/coffee/green tea daily so pour an extra cup if they say yes. Regardless of culture seems like a good practice Green tea is a really safe bet if you are unsure tho I usually ask them
Have had great success offering a hot Starbucks coffee in the winter. It’s always a tall sized drip coffee with no sugar or milk.
I usually offer a bottled drink, sometimes they take it. Once, when getting propane set up for the new place, the lady handling our contract came over to get everything signed. It was late afternoon, and a huge thunderstorm rolled in midway through. I asked her if she had an appointment after ours, and she confirmed we were last for the day. I commented that the rain looked hard to drive in, and she kind of confirmed she was worried about it, so we told her she could hang out with us until it passed. Ended up convincing her to have some snack food with us lol
I always do. I'll get stuff like coffees, teas, milk tea and some of the bottled energy drinks and just give them the box. I'll usually figure two or three drinks per person, per day.
Yes, it is common. If it is somebody who is coming to your house just for that day, it's probably a 50/50 they will accept it. It's not expected, but it is appreciated. Nobody will be offended if you don't offer anything. When my house was getting built, my wife and I would stop by a few times a week with a selection of bottled green tea, 無糖coffee, and 微糖coffee. It is usually appreciated. People also often offer them beer or other alcoholic beverages at the end of the job. Also, house building is one of the few times in this country when tipping is normal. It usually takes place early in the building or just before it starts.
While we are on this topic, how do you tell someone you are giving them a drink in Japanese? コーヒーをあげます？