maintenance truckI hate when the maintenance guy comes -- I always feel so awkward. Should I try to chat with him? Offer him water? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs?

One thing that I learned NOT to do is watch an episode of Sex and the City. A few years ago, my roommate and I were having our air conditioner installed, and not thinking much about it, were watching an episode of Sex and the City. Then, out of nowhere, there's a Samantha scene ... and you know what that means.

Loud orgasmic sounds heard throughout the living room as the poor old man tried to pretend he didn't hear. We couldn't find that damn remote fast enough. Not that it mattered, the awkward turtle had already walked into the room.

I asked fellow friends and staffers to share some of their learned-the-hard-way stories, so that we may all know what NOT to do when the maintenance guy comes over.

  • Folding Laundry: Sure, towels, shirts, and jeans are okay. But I'm pretty sure you don't want the maintenance man knowing what you wear under those items.
  • Fighting: Whether it's a roommate, spouse, boyfriend, the maintenance guy does not want to bear witness to your drama.
  • Loving: Same as fighting, he/she doesn't want to see you smooching, even if it's just sneaking peck. I don't care if it is in your own home -- P.D.A.
  • Getting Ready: It's the worst in the morning when you're trying to get ready for work, and, unfortunately, that's the only time that some of us have available for them to come by.
  • Cooking/Baking: At the risk of burning your food (or the house), it's best to leave the baking till after the plumber has left the building.
  • Right After You Wake Up: Not that I'm trying to impress anyone but I also don't want to scare anyone. 

What are some things you've learned never to do when you're having something installed/fixed in your home?

 

Image via SpecialKRB/Flickr