To ask if my joke to new work colleague would have offended you?

Why assume people are offended because they don’t find a joke funny?

When did not liking a joke or finding it funny equate to being offended?

People have different types of humour and for some, they wouldn’t even get the joke or know what OP was on about due to different associations therefore not laugh.

Plus, why would you make a negative comment about someone’s food choices you barely know and is new?

Regardless of intention, OP was expecting their joke to land, it didn’t and they rather blame their colleague and say they have a lack of sense of humour then admit their joke simply fell flat and was actually unnecessary and rude to begin with.

Not funny, poor form by you.

Exactly 🤣

At best, it's joking about bodily functions while someone is eating which is pretty unpleasant.

At worst, it's an attempt to humiliate a new colleague by insinuating that they must smell bad, which is also pretty unpleasant.

In between are varying shades of food shaming and toilet humour that definitely have a very niche appeal so probably not great for someone you don't know that well, especially in a work environment.

I would have got the joke, wouldn’t have found it funny, and would find you very cringe. Who even does that with someone they don’t know well?

I have a few jokey colleagues but we joke about things that are actually funny. Not farts and poo like teenage boys.

I agree. In my training for my job working with vulnerable people we were told not to use the word banter or to joke at other people's expense as it's a thinly disguised insult

Like a few others I wouldn't have been offended but I wouldn't be sure what you meant either

I would be cringing inside if I thought that was the level of stupid comments I was going to have to put up with and I'm a bit fan of office bants

Dh has just got back from dropping the dogs to the kennels, so once he's finished packing the car, we are off on our holidays.

You can't make jokes like that with someone you just met, you don't know yet what kind of person they are and whether they are the type that engages in banter or not, and they don't know you and whether you are being light hearted or are actually criticising their lunch.
I just started at a new workplace and the manager made a point of telling me about the joke culture during my induction, so I knew what to expect. I don't joke around with people until I've gotten to know them, and know what their sense of humour is like, just seems sensible to me.

Do you have a sign up saying, "You don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps!"?

That seems to be the level of wit we're dealing with here.

The person no one at work could stand was the one who constantly poked their nose into who was eating what. Embarrassing and intrusive. There’s your answer

I can only think that this is a reverse. I just cannot believe you would say such an old-fashioned, immature, uneducated thing.

I would also never, ever joke with a new employee.

They’d likely take everything to heart because they don’t know the environment and already have high anxiety.

I instantly saw that my workplace was very jokey but some didn’t joke with me for a good 6 months at least.
It was only when I started to be more jokey with them that they started being a bit jokey back and even then it wasn’t as bad as with the other staff.

Some people do not like banter and for those that do, they have boundaries and so it’s really important for you to tread lightly until you know more about your new employee and what he/she is comfortable with.

I agree @CrispySquid .
Well said.

I wouldn’t have been offended but I would have inwardly cringed and been a bit embarrassed for you and think you have the brain cells and sense of humour as a small child.

People who pass jokes and comments either about farting or the smell of food towards people eating completely normal, common and healthy foods like eggs, sprouts, beans is so childish and a bit braindead. Like how a four year old child might pinch their nose in response to seeing Brussel sprouts and dramatically wailing “ewwwwww stinky!” It’s just an incredibly immature ‘joke’ and a very odd thing for a normal intelligent adult to say.

Are you all quite young?

I’d find it irredeemably naff.

I honestly would not have liked this.

I had a colleague who brought in home made Indian made by his lovely wife who was in between jobs. He couldn't eat his lunch in peace for people coming to see what the aroma was. She could have fed the entire office had she been inclined.

People are so snide sometimes.

I would have laughed because I work in a very bantery type place.
I actually find jokes like this more comfortable than places that don’t joke but that may be because I work with 95% men.

But I never comment on people’s food, unless it’s a compliment and even then it’s a thin line.

Some people have issues around food and it’s just something that doesn’t need commenting on.

I used to have an ED and the amount of women who thought it was appropriate to comment constantly about how I wasn’t eating or my lunch wasn’t healthy enough etc or what’s that awful smell etc - this wasn’t being clumsy, it was bitchy women who likely had issues around food themselves or wanted to belittle you.

I can never understand why people feel the need to comment on what other people are eating! If it isn't stinking the office out, mind your own business!

Mike Hunt more like !! Not offensive, just bantz !!

@Abbeymum - even in a 'very friendly and jokey culture' it is a good idea to get to know new people before starting to make jokes with/at them.

I do accept that you had no nasty intention when you made the joke, but crucially, she doesn't know you or your workplace culture - so she probably didn't know that this was light-hearted ribbing, and that you are happy for her to rib you in return (I assume - because otherwise this would be bullying) - she may well have interpreted it as a nasty jibe at her.

Quite crude remark to say to someone you don't really know, especially a colleague. I wouldn't have been amused either.

Don't think our OP will be back.

With any luck she's planning out some damage limitation and kindness for her new colleague next week.