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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it's completely vile and not ok to have kippers for lunch at WORK?

55 replies

EricNorthmansMistress · 18/03/2011 11:49

Colleague who I like a lot (usually) just popped her head round my office door, which is next to kitchen, apologising for upcoming fishy smell, and then proceeded to microwave a fucking kipper. The whole building stinks and she has just posted on facebook 'XX loves a kipper, sorry colleagues for eau de fish' but, sorry, IMO it's gross and selfish to bring in such a stinky foodstuff? When I was pregnant that smell would have actually caused me to hurl (I'm not, but you know)

OP posts:
Original poster
EricNorthmansMistress · 18/03/2011 12:42

Yep, air freshener also disgusting. I feel for them who have their offices next to loos (our office is two old houses stuck together, so lots of little officelets) a sign appeared on the loo door asking people to pull it shut behind them, so maybe someone got fed up of eau de shit and air freshener wafting in. We get some eco friendly perfume type spray though, not aerosol vileness, and it doesn't spread or linger as badly. (small tip)

OP posts:
Desperateforthinnerthighs · 18/03/2011 12:44

I have never heard of a courtesy flush, what a bloody stupid idea...........the day I go into a meeting about having a shit at work (I never do BTW, I go before work Winkmy bowel is trained) is the day I go look for a new job!

StealthPolarBear · 18/03/2011 12:47

Maybe she's been reading the "How does she stay so thin?" thread on here

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 18/03/2011 12:52

Aaaah was just gonna say I love the fact that this thread has gone from kippers to taking a shit at work but Stealth has just ruined it and gone back to kippers [grin

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 18/03/2011 13:03

Question is, which smells more offensive, kippers or shit? Or air freshener??

GilmoreGeek · 18/03/2011 13:17

I do the courtesy flush. And I have told everyone living with me to do so as well. >Especially hated this uni flatmate of mine who thought it was ok to sit on your poo for ages, reading. Gross! I was taught to flush in between if it takes longer.

But the kipper smell is gross. I don't think it's appropriate in an office.
But then maybe she finds other smells offensive? Such as salami, tuna sandwiches or something? Mh

nomoreheels · 18/03/2011 13:22

A colleague brought in some sort of smoked fish risotto (leftovers) & stank the whole office out by heating it up. Even visitors were retching as they walked past the kitchen.

I think any strong food smell is inadvisable in close office quarters. That includes fast food, raw onions, egg mayonnaise (yuck), tuna straight from the tin & curry.

I once went to some 'do that offered lunch. This consisted of curling smelly egg mayo butties that had been sitting in a warm room. I fled.

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 18/03/2011 13:28

It just wouldn't occur to me to flush before wiping, especially if it is at a crucial stage in my book Grin

I think the winner has to be shit mixed with airfreshener.......kippers are slightly better!

mmsmum · 18/03/2011 13:35

oh wow! courtest flush! Now I know what is going on when someone flushes twice! I feel like a wee light bulb has gone on above my head lol I really did wonder why someone would flush twice, and now I know

But aren't you just drawing attention to the fact that you did a poo lol

And wouldn't your bum get wet with yukky splashes of poo water? eww

HeadfirstForHalos · 18/03/2011 13:35

YADNBU- that is rank!

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 18/03/2011 13:42

I always thought people just flushed twice if they did a floater Hmm

You learn something new every day hey!

Gracie123 · 18/03/2011 13:44

How long does it take you to wipe? Shock

If you do a courtesy flush, won't the toilet refuse to flush after you've wiped?

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 18/03/2011 13:48

depending on how good your plumbing is Winkthe cistern will need to re-fill so yeah, you may have to wait after wiping before flushing again...how complicated!

GilmoreGeek · 18/03/2011 14:06

Well it obviously depends on how long you take, no? If you have a quick poo fair enough. I just think if you plan on staying there for an other 10 minutes as some of the people I have stayed with then you should flush in between.

I think poo and air freshener is definitely worse than kipper!

bonkers20 · 18/03/2011 14:07

Sigh...I wish my DH would microwave his smoked mackerel at work rather than at home. Wink

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 18/03/2011 14:08

I had a colleague years ago who did that. Stunk out four floors :( She's not called Katy is she?!

lovenamechange100 · 18/03/2011 14:09

Ewyewww thats gross and such bad manners and she knew it is or else why does she feel the need to apologise.

I would draw a picture of a kipper in a red circle and with a line through it and stick on the microwave door. (Check the CCTV cameras first)

Fancy posting that on FB thinks thats so uncool.

TobyLerone · 18/03/2011 14:37

See this. And this.

TheSmallClanger · 18/03/2011 14:43

YANBU. Everyone has to get on in an office, and even people who enjoy eating kippers don't like being able to smell them when they're trying to work.

We have a shit obsessive in my other office. I wish people would just accept that shit stinks. Even a toddler knows that.

Gracie123 · 18/03/2011 16:11

Sure, shit stinks. That's why if you must take a dump at work (remember you are being paid whilst you sit on the loo) can't you do it during a break and go find a public toilet not next to your co-workers desk?
Surely if someone has to work in close proximity to a loo, you should be courteous enough not to pollute their workspace with your ablutions?

disclaimer I am a SAHM and don't work in an office. I do however find it offensive if DH uses the downstairs bathroom by the front door for a shit, so that all our guests are greeted by the aroma as they enter our home Blush

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 18/03/2011 16:19

Love the fact that people are now using the term courtesy flush. I did wonder about the splashing too, but didn't want to ask. I was already in disgrace for not knowing what she meant ( and therefore revealing I don't courtesy flush myself) and for failing to hide my amusement at the whole thing.

TheSmallClanger · 18/03/2011 16:59

Gracie, most people do go during their break.

Not everyone has access to private loos, and I sure as hell am not going to do what some people do, and go home to use the loo (yes Dad, I'm talking about you). In an ideal office, the loos should be in a corridor, not next to people's desks, but some architects don't think like that.

toddlerama · 18/03/2011 17:08

I think the real flaw comes in planning an office where someone has to sit next to the bog all day. Foul. I would want my desk moved, and I would feel on embarrassed on behalf of every stinker who emerged red-faced and pungent. It isn't fair on anybody.

As for kipper-gate, she knows she's out of order but thinks she can be funny and ride it out. The brazen stench-monger.

pointydog · 18/03/2011 17:19

lolol @ op

I had a workmate once who ate those tinned sardines in tomato for her lunch.

Big boak.

thefurryone · 18/03/2011 18:25

wow courtsey flush - the things you learn reading mumsnet.