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Colleagues keep using my milk!

438 replies

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 11:34

I don't want to sound petty as in the grand scheme of things, milk isn't an expensive item and maybe I should leave this be, but it's really starting to grate on me...

Work in an office with around 30-ish staff, the majority are on shift work including weekends so people are in & out a lot. I work standard hours 4 days a week. The company provides tea & coffee but staff bring in their own milk etc. I buy a large filtered milk every month as it lasts and I only have a few cups of tea a day so makes sense.

However, over the last 6 months or so, people will ask me if they can 'borrow' some milk. I would never say no to someone asking but they NEVER bring in their own milk or buy one to replace mine that they've used over the weeks...

Today, I brought in a brand new milk, name on it, placed it at the back of the fridge so hard to find, and I've just gone to make a cuppa and it's been opened without asking, and a 1/4 of it has gone!

How do I word an email to my colleagues (if people think I should) that is polite and doesn't sound too petty?

OP posts:
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Themagicclaw · 16/01/2025 13:48

I get milk delivered in glass bottles, so I decant some into my old Medela breast pump bottles. It doesn't say "breastmilk" on it and obviously cow milk looks quite different. But still seems to work, I wonder if people are out off by just the idea that it once held breastmilk 😂

KimberleyClark · 16/01/2025 13:46

Elboob · 16/01/2025 13:41

Absolute cheeky fucker! Cereal is just taking the mickey!

Yay to the udder lock. Let us know how it works.

I was always irrationally annoyed by people who had breakfast (cup of coffee/tea acceptable) at work. You should arrive ready to start work IMO (prepared to have my arse handed to me).

Ohnobackagain · 16/01/2025 13:45

@Immo8 this is perfect. Whoever the CF who took loads today is will be so annoyed but unable to complain. I’m not usually so petty but …

MikeRafone · 16/01/2025 13:44

Id be tempted to send an email, even though you've ordered the udder lock

After this morning bringing a full bottle of milk to work, someone opening the bottle, others using it for cereal (you know who you are) and their hot drinks, nearly half my milk has gone before I can even use it myself. Therefore I have invested in a lock for my milk, here is the link to the device for others that are having there milk taken.

The reason being it will look petty but others can then be warned this is happening and the solution to the problem

Elboob · 16/01/2025 13:41

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 13:08

Thanks everyone!

I can confirm I've just bought an udder lock which I will bring in proudly to work with me come Monday lol.

Just found out someone used my milk for cereal this morning, and it's now only a 1/3 full after being full this morning so enough is enough...

Absolute cheeky fucker! Cereal is just taking the mickey!

Yay to the udder lock. Let us know how it works.

PussInBin20 · 16/01/2025 13:40

I just take milk in a baby bottle- no-one touches it. My baby is 15 now so they’ve lasted well. 😆

familyissues12345 · 16/01/2025 13:39

I would decant it into a non cows milk, something like oat milk, that might put people off??

Therealjudgejudy · 16/01/2025 13:34

Some people are so bloody cheeky!

Bobbingaroundthesea · 16/01/2025 13:34

stoppostingreminder · 16/01/2025 11:39

Decant it into a different bottle (keep cup or something) that does not show what is inside.

This is exactly what I do!
I put it in a blue plastic bottle that would normally be mistaken as a protein shake or smoothie. And nobody has been cheeky enough to open the bottle and check. YET!

KimberleyClark · 16/01/2025 13:33

hulahooper2 · 16/01/2025 12:56

I’d decant into a food flask or soup mug , that’s not see through , then they won’t realise it contains milk

That won’t stop CFers from opening it and sniffing it, and using it when they find it is milk.

Soubriquet · 16/01/2025 13:33

Get a milk lock

curlysue1991 · 16/01/2025 13:33

Put a note saying it's expressed breast milk😂

KimberleyClark · 16/01/2025 13:32

I would stop keeping milk in the fridge, keep it at home and bring in what you need in a flask and keep it in your drawer.

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 13:31

True, but there are smaller 'sub-teams' within that 30 staff and I'm sure each could work it out amongst themselves.
There's 5 in mine (admin staff) and I'm the only one who has milk in their tea/coffee so not an issue for me, hence bringing in the fresh filtered milk as it lasts me a month.
Doesn't mean all the other teams get free reign on it though!

OP posts:
Hillarious · 16/01/2025 13:29

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 13:21

Well I'm not giving up milk, I don't like black tea

It's easy to get used to, and you get enhanced anti-oxidant activity. Plus it would reduce your stress levels, given no-one will be stealing your milk.

MoonlightMemories · 16/01/2025 13:28

Madre123 · 16/01/2025 13:22

I would fill it with salt....they would be far less inclined to just take it then hopefully... despise ill manners.

Why just stop at salt - try out some laxatives instead? Something like some sorbitol would have quick effects...just see who's not at their desk(s) to see who the guilty person(s) are 🤣

meisafairy · 16/01/2025 13:28

Pee in it 🤣

paristotokyo · 16/01/2025 13:27

Decant it into a bottle that you can't see through so it just looks like a different drink? Annoying you have to do this but probably the easiest way to deal with it

Sunbeam18 · 16/01/2025 13:26

How is the milk situation supposed to work? If 30 people all bring in milk then it won't fit in the fridge. Why not have a rota with everyone who uses milk?

Willyoujust · 16/01/2025 13:25

I use powdered milk for this reason and keep it in my locker

BeesAndCrumpets · 16/01/2025 13:25

This sort of thing boils my piss alongside using the comunal milk and leaving a thimble of milk in the bottom so they don't have to pop out and get more... URGH! Great suggestions from everyone, I just had to get that off my chest 😬

TeenLifeMum · 16/01/2025 13:24

I’d put “contains medication, please don’t use” 😂

BeachRide · 16/01/2025 13:22

Take a few sachets of UHT milk in every day.

herbaceous · 16/01/2025 13:22

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 13:20

My name is written about 4 times all over the bottle, it's in a bright colour and glaringly obvious! And say's 'kindly please do not use'

Ah. The 'utter bastard' theory it is then!

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