AIBU to refuse to buy a colleague's lunch?

[BadElsa]

Heading out of the office for lunch break and a colleague asks if I can pick up lunch for them. I joked and refused. Feel like a bitch but don’t regret it. It always gets out of hand. The order gets convoluted ie “something with chicken..... except no mayo and I hate avocado and white bread only, oh and a packet of crisps pickled onion flavour if they have it, oh and a cappuccino with soy milk and three sugars” then another colleague says “I can you get me a twix” which means a different shop. By the time you’ve finished your whole lunch break is running errands and you have to juggle 4 lunches and a tray of bloody bespoke coffees! AIBU or is it just rude to expect a colleague to do this?

I never realised how specific people were about hot drinks until I worked in an office and did the drinks round!

That variation on being a short order cook/short order shopper is obviously bothering you. Hellz It would piss me off.

I'd be out the door before they knew I was leaving for lunch.

Or be the first one to say Hey I've done enough, YOUR turn to get me lunch.

(((Hug)))

As an 18 year old I worked in an office which was opposite a Tesco store. Each lunchtime I’d take a walk over there and never minded picking up the occasional can of drink/pack of sandwiches for others.

One lazy cow however used to sometimes come over to me during the morning and give me a huge shopping list of at least 20 items to get for her. Being a meek and quiet 18 year old junior I didn’t have the guts to say no and would end up lugging about 5 carrier bags back with her stuff in.

I wish I had the balls that I have now in my 40s, I’d soon tell her to fuck off!

Even worse than the list of xyz requirements is the "get me anything, I don't mind" followed by a po-face when you plonk a tuna sarnie and a packet of Monster Munch infront of them

If it's the same Janice that I know Op you will never see that 50p again she still owes me £20 from about 15 yrs ago

Someone once asked me to buy them sanitary towels on a lunch run. Seriously.

Get them the wrong things. The teas and coffees beyond the basic tea and coffee, get the basic.
The oh I don't know what sandwich I fancy - grab the first limp sandwich you notice.
The weird crisps bog standard packet.

Amazing how quickly they never ask you again to get anything.

Making the brew - you put the coffee/tea and water in the mug. Then announce its ready for them to do the rest. Those people don't ask again either.

I'm sensing you're not a veganism fan, Tippz. But it's ok, it works both ways.

And I agree with you that OP isn't BU.

I once offered to walk to the local chippy for lunch I was on an hrs break (long day nurse ) never again I had to ask for chips pea wet and scraps for one person ffs.

Veganism isn't a pernickety health fad designed to inconvenience others, thanks.

Tipps bit rude 😂

Is this a small office thing? It's never happened to me in 27 years.

X2 boys what is chips pea wet?

I never offer and never take up offers. I also tend not to announce I’m popping out as someone usually says they’ll come with me and then uses the time to moan about work/life when actually I just want a bit of headspace.

Pea wet is the juice from chip shop peas

I’m guessing x2 is a Lancashire lass!

What a bunch of misers you all are!!

Rung round local cafes and sandwich shops to see if any of them do a sandwich delivery round in the mornings. Lots of places will come into an office for 5 minutes as part of a round visiting lots of office buildings. Saves all this hassle as the lazy feckers who don't want to leave the building can all support a local small business rather than imposing on colleagues.

I have problems making drinks at work, now, following a year of being bullied in my first work place. When I started, everyone would take turns in making a round, but once the bullying stated it became 'my job'. I remember the woman who probably treated me the worst ringing me up to remind me the two of them in the office upstairs would want drinks when I did it. I wish I'd had the balls to say something.

I know it sounds pathetic, but it was just part of the bigger picture. And now I hate making drinks for everyone as I fear I'm being taken advantage of, even though I know I'm not. I have explained this to one woman who always makes me a drink at lunchtime. I'll occasionally make one for her, but it's difficult.

Fair'nuff if you get in a round and all 4 of you take your turn to do the lunch run. But if it ends up always being you, that isn't fair. Even less so if you find it's all complicated orders from multiple shops. By the time you get to squeezing blood from a stone to get the money owed after wasting half of your break you really are in cheeky fucker territory.

Definitely duck out quickly next time. Or start bringing a pack-up. Or casually ask who is doing the lunch run today!

pea wet sounds like something you'd squeeze out of a used nappy.

The only time I ever asked someone to get me something was migraleve on their lunch break as I couldn’t see to drive to buy it. That was the longest hour ever. Nausea, pain etc.

This behaviour is totally unacceptable. I think it’s ok for the same shop for one/two people. But not hot drinks, just food like Greggs. And is there any turn taking ever?

Several colleagues do this to others and then take the full hour of their own lunchbreak (along with their lunch). Luckily I have resting bitch face so am never asked!

I dud this once and ended up having to get one of them mini feckin trollies! And if they have the CHEEK to say it’s wrong well, you get off your lazy ass next time Paula & get it!

Rant over.