Do Your Offer.....?

[LK5kids]

No, I've never thought of it! Might be good PR though!

[Springdaze]

I offer water just cuz if someone comes to your house, i think its nice

[BumbleBee]

I offer bottled water. So far only one person has taken me up on that.

[daycarediva]

I offer bottled water, coffee or tea. I usually get takers. I think it's polite, not that they are going to dehydrate in 30 minutes, it's just good manners.

[Heidi]

I'm definately an Iced tea person. I dont even drink coffee, soda, or hot tea- it's mostly iced tea and water. And where I live (and plan to move to for my business) it's hot most of the time. My fiance has even suggested that maybe I should offer the daycare parents a cup of coffee in the morning since he will most likely on get a cup of coffee for the road and since I don't drink coffee. That way the also have the option of not having to pay $5 extra everyday at Starbucks or McDonalds (though if they want anything other than regular coffee with some basic milk/cream/sugar they are on their own ) also an added optional service no charge. It can also be used as advertisment- if you give them a reusable travel coffee thermous that has your business logo/number on it .

Most of his family is country folk (work in ag; traced back to dust bowl oakies) and he keeps thinking of 'friendly customer service' ideas- which I can be really bad at sometimes because I am introvert and really shy around other adults.

I like that idea...I come from a customer service background, and anything that sets you apart is great. I don't do this everyday, but will occasionally have coffee and muffins out in the morning, or cookies we baked at pickup.

[Heidi]

I offer bottled water, coffee or tea. I usually get takers. I think it's polite, not that they are going to dehydrate in 30 minutes, it's just good manners.

Since I'm a first generation german immigrant, I still have some of the "old country" habits. If you go to someones house in Germany, they always offer you coffee and some baked good (home-made or bought). When we visited there when I was little, we'd get sent to "Tante so-and-so's" by my grandma (usually one of her sisters who lived the next block over). Even as children, we were always offered a few cookies and coffee or milk (hey, in Italy it would have been a glass of wine). Then, they'd as us questions about America and school, give us "a little something so you can buy yourself a treat", and send us on our way. ahh..memories.

Anywhooo...As a host(ess), you'd be considered rather rude not to offer anything to a guest in your home.

[Blackcat31]

Since I'm a first generation german immigrant, I still have some of the "old country" habits. If you go to someones house in Germany, they always offer you coffee and some baked good (home-made or bought). When we visited there when I was little, we'd get sent to "Tante so-and-so's" by my grandma (usually one of her sisters who lived the next block over). Even as children, we were always offered a few cookies and coffee or milk (hey, in Italy it would have been a glass of wine). Then, they'd as us questions about America and school, give us "a little something so you can buy yourself a treat", and send us on our way. ahh..memories.

Anywhooo...As a host(ess), you'd be considered rather rude not to offer anything to a guest in your home.

LOVE the flashbacks!

IF I were entertaining someone in my home, I would absolutely offer them something to eat and drink.

HOWEVER, when I interview a family, I don't view it as me being the "hostess" as I am not hosting anything.

I view it more as an informational meeting or conference and beverages aren't usually offered in those types of situations/environments.

Job interviews, orientations, parent-teacher conferences, etc....

That is the line of thinking I am coming from.

Plus, I do all my interviewing during business hours so the minute I offered a prospective client ANYTHING, I would have 10 other littles saying "me too, me too"

[Texasjeepgirl]

I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.

[MissK]

I guess I never really thought of it to be honest! So no...I have never offered them something to drink...

[Heidi]

LOVE the flashbacks!

IF I were entertaining someone in my home, I would absolutely offer them something to eat and drink.

HOWEVER, when I interview a family, I don't view it as me being the "hostess" as I am not hosting anything.

I view it more as an informational meeting or conference and beverages aren't usually offered in those types of situations/environments.

Job interviews, orientations, parent-teacher conferences, etc....

That is the line of thinking I am coming from.

Plus, I do all my interviewing during business hours so the minute I offered a prospective client ANYTHING, I would have 10 other littles saying "me too, me too"

I'd say your situation and mine are different, since you are not in your home (well, the home you live in), and since I do my interview after hours or during naptime. I've tried doing them during awake dc time and they are generally kind of a disaster. My kiddos aren't too bad with visitors here, but they definately notice when my attention is split and some will take advantage.

[MNMum]

Sometimes...

If my husband is around he always does!

[daycarediva]

Since I'm a first generation german immigrant, I still have some of the "old country" habits. If you go to someones house in Germany, they always offer you coffee and some baked good (home-made or bought). When we visited there when I was little, we'd get sent to "Tante so-and-so's" by my grandma (usually one of her sisters who lived the next block over). Even as children, we were always offered a few cookies and coffee or milk (hey, in Italy it would have been a glass of wine). Then, they'd as us questions about America and school, give us "a little something so you can buy yourself a treat", and send us on our way. ahh..memories.

Anywhooo...As a host(ess), you'd be considered rather rude not to offer anything to a guest in your home.

Ahh, love it! My family/grandparents are like that. It's welcoming.

When I went to ds's pt conference, the teacher brought her keurig and had coffee & donuts for everyone. It was nice!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I don't because we are generally in my playroom so their kidlets feels comfortable while we talk and I don't allow kid let's to et or drink in there. Now, I have handed parents cups of coffee in morning before, fed them lunch or snack etc... Once I am watching heir kido.

[PitterPatter]

I don't.

I'm interviewing NOT having a tea party.

::

[Brooksie]

I offer, especially if I have to go make copies and leave them waiting. But other than that I will occasionally offer a snack to the child. So far no ones actually taken me up on it, and I think they more appreciate the hospitality offer than actually wanting me to ""serve" them or something. Just another way to make them feel comfortable in my house and eventually leaving their kids here.