To eat bacon

[TheCaptainsCat]

Have namechanged for this, although I really don't think I am BU.

So I share an office with a Muslim woman, who is lovely and I get on well with. Today I have found out that she has complained to our manager about me eating bacon sandwiches at my desk. Where I work people are allowed to eat at their desks as they work, it's very much part of the culture. My husband is Muslim so I don't usually really eat pork - colleague doesn't know this. I am eating it now because I am pregnant and have a hankering for bacon - colleague also doesn't know this. However I think this is by the by really.

I would like to think that I am culturally sensitive, and of course having Muslim family I'm aware of pork CONSUMPTION being haram. AIBU to think that colleague is BU in objecting to me quietly eating my bacon sandwich, and that she can't control what those around her eat on the basis of her own beliefs?

I'd be eating ham sandwiches, bacon butties and pork pies from now on. What you eat is your choice.

Yep I agree, she has overstepped the mark.

IMO, l would be speaking to the manager and pointing that their comment was BU.

This happened to DH. His colleague took offence about him eating pork (but the difference was he actually said something to DH directly). DH was ....and said huh!?

He then pointed out to his colleague that he could eat what he dam well wanted and his colleague could leave and sit elsewhere. DH also pointed out that he should be more concerned with the personal hygiene of others.....cause you know, people don't always wash their hands after the toilet etc.......

I should mention that DH is from the Middle East

OP if you are craving bacon try smoked turkey rashers: they are meaty and yummy, have no fat, much less salt (good when you're pregnant). I must have gone through 2 packets a day when I craved bacon..... They are non-pork even while they smell and taste porky. win-win.
...and if you are lucky she'll moan about these as well and you can take her head off!

Pork is haram.... But it is permissible to eat in certain circumstances. Her faith, her set of rules.
You can literally eat what you like and it really isn't any business of hers.

I suggest you address this with her and say that he should have said something to you if she was concerned about anything, and as the wife of a Muslim you know she chooses not to eat it, but that non Muslims are free to eat what they like.

If she persists, mention that her rights to religious expression don't come at the expense of your rights. All with a tilty head and a tinkly laugh.

YADNBU and most people aren't like your colleague, I eat bacon in front of colleagues, but during Ramadan I avoid eating in front of them as must be difficult. Last year was pregnant and apologised to lady I had just started sitting next too, but had to eat regularly due to sickness and she just surprised I asked and didn't have an issue..even offering advice on what to eat to help.

Ffs I can't believe some of the opinions on here. Brown sauce?ketchup? Noo. Bacon butties should taste of bacon.

Almost every thread I've read in the last 20 minutes makes me think I'm living in a parallel universe.

That's why I read mn, worra. It very rarely bears any similarity to real life.

Your manager should have told her to piss off.

(I'm Muslim and love 'bacon' of the turkey variety )

Yes Worra I thought so too...

Manager mentioned it in passing really, with a kind of 'remember to be aware of other people's cultures'.
Those are the words the manager should have used to the person complaining.

Muslim here too. YANBU. I don't eat pork but couldn't give a flying monkeys if anyone else does.

Never come across this in all my years of office jobs.

I now want bacon. Q_Q

YANBU. You're not forcing her to eat it.

I do like turkey bacon, we eat that at home, but lately it's just not providing the salty-greasy hit I'm after!

Normally colleague is funny and kind, so I'm going to let it slide, but next time I have pork for lunch I think I'll broach it with her. Not too impressed with manager though! A little galling to be reminded of my cultural awareness by someone who is probably actually less aware than me!

And no condiments on my bacon sarnie thanks

I am married to a Muslim too and I know it wouldn't bother him. Her beliefs do not trump yours. Is she going to complain if you eat in front of her in Ramadan?

Downstairs, because this thread combined with threads in my usual name might out me, and I wish anonymity

I work for a business owned by Jewish people, and I do eat the very occasional bacon sarnie at my desk. Having said that, they're hardly ever around.

I wouldn't eat a bacon sandwich if one of them was in the building though.

Manager mentioned it in passing really, with a kind of 'remember to be aware of other people's cultures'.
Manager should have perhaps passed that comment to the person who complained.

YABU because I'm a veggie and think everyone should give up bacon

YANBU to keep eating it at your desk.

YABU because I'm a veggie and think everyone should give up bacon

I have had to re-think bacon since I had a pretty harrowing conversation with the head pig farmer at a hotel I stayed at over the Christmas holidays.

He was a delightful, strapping Yorkshireman who said that he frequently cried when he took them to slaughter.

I feel so conflicted because bacon is so delicious.

Your manager is a spineless twat.

I would emulate lady Gaga and wear a dress made out of bacon to the office.

I work with people from all over the world with many different cultures and religions. The only time anyone has ever complained was when someone microwaved a whole fish in the coffee room at 9.45 am. It stank!