DEAR MISS MANNERS: We needed a plumber recently, and during the four hours he was on the job, the plumber spent well over an hour on his phone for non-work-related calls.
More and more, it seems that hourly workers (tradespeople, home health aides, etc.) are taking personal calls, texting and checking social media during their time with me. It is a waste of my money and time, but I worry that the quality of work will be impacted if I complain.
GENTLE READER: How would you feel about a painter who listened to the radio while nevertheless doing an excellent job painting the house?
Miss Manners entirely agrees with you that an honest person does not bill for time that is not spent working. Nor does she object to asking the plumber to check the time when he presents his bill, as you believe he was in the hall taking a call from 11 to noon, not in the kitchen, working on the sink.
She merely recognizes that modern work habits are different than those she grew up with.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
