How To: Be good at construction workers

I'm good at construction workers. Fact.

Let me explain.

So, with work we were planting a bunch of new plants to make the residence at UofS look nicer. We start digging holes in the flower beds, only to find the top soil is only about 3 inches deep. Not a good thing.
But! Nearby they are completely re landscaping one of the fields. There is piles of dirt everywhere. One of the staff gets asked to go ask them for some dirt, and I get nominated to go with her. Because of my position title and my blondness. At this point I don't really know what the mission is, all I know is:
"Stevie, come ask the construction workers with me."
"Okay, I'm good at construction workers... for what?"

For a backhoe scoop of dirt of course! So, I take a minute, think through how I'm going to approach this. Professional but attractive and in need of assistance.

We get to the construction workers. They're closer to my father's age than my own, but I don't mind... it just means I won't be leaving with a phone number, but that's not the goal of this mission.
A formal introduction, a sweet smile, big blue eyes and please and thank you and they'll bring down dirt in just a minute. I get winked at and give a coy smile in return.
A couple minutes later a large scoop of dirt is brought right to us and they want to know if that's enough. Do we need more? We're good, and we thank them and tell them we'll bring them coffee. They seem pretty pleased with themselves for helping us out. Really, I'm not getting a favour, I'm doing one.

So, the following day the staff member and I return to the construction site with a tray of coffee from Tim Hortons. They seem surprised; I don't think that promise was ever expected to be followed through on. But I'm good at this game. And I'm thoughtful and like being nice to people.
Smiles, thank yous, and coffee handed over, we leave, very aware that if we want anything from these construction workers over the next month, all we have to do is smile and say please and it's ours. You see, while we didn't need to bring them coffee, it solidified their love of us. And that is more than work the time and effort to bring them warm beverages. Win.