so remember when it rained for like a month straight last june and we were all wondering who was going to build the ark, and if we would be allowed on? (okay, i know, if you weren't from the northeast US, you probably don't remember that. but trust me. we were this close to needing arks.) well, all the rain combined with the decrepit building i live in made for water damage around the balcony doors. floorboards buckled, doors are nearly coming apart because of all the force we needed to put on them to open them, paint is crumbling. so, being good tenants, we called this in last june, when it happened. months later, we called for the 4th time and were told it was "on the list" and should be "done next week." 3-4 months after *that,* the guy is finally here. (only because i called the contractors yesterday and asked about it, and the woman who answers the phones there and coordinates the office, who i just love, says "they haven't gotten to that yet" in that tone of voice that only black women can successfully do that says "i'm gonna hafta BEAT those guys when they come in here next.")

so karl admonishes me to offer the guy something to drink, and i do, and he says that "it's a given in england, whenever you have builders in, you supply the tea," and points me to a website (the first result on google.co.uk for builders and tea) that even refers to a concept "builders tea." it's tetley's (who's gonna make the tea?) or pg tips (view real ads)--tea that's ubiquitous in england, and that is good enough and standard enough that everyone will like it. may not be your favorite, but you'll be able to down a cuppa.

so what is the standard to give workers in america? water? coffee? juice? shot of goldschlager?