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?

Nah fuck that. Get you're own shitting lunch! hmm

This. Made me laff out loud just now. thanks, Tippz

I had a similar issue. New colleague came asked me to pick her up lunch when I was out for a walk. The next day she did the same and I thought it was beginning to be an expectation. I told her that she was best to bring lunch in with her if she doesn't have time to go out. I thought I was quite rude but I spoke to my mum who said I should have asked what her last slave died of

YANBU.

If it is something simple and on rare occasions then OK, but not a regular thing.

There are one or two guys at work where we get each other lunch on a non strict rotation, no money changes hands and we are all happy with the arrangements. It's pretty even in terms of who does the going out and who does the paying. There are one or two others who I will only get stuff for if it is from where I have already decided I am going and if they pay up front and are not fussy as otherwise you never get the cash out of them "oh I don't have my wallet/ I've got no cash" types and a couple who never offer the other way either because they don't drive or can't be arsed and these always ask if you'll get rather than wait for an offer. I just say no to these people. I do t get how they don't twig when you tell them you won't get them lunch then walk in with M&S for your two mates.

Wow. Great team spirit. I often ask and often offer. Not a problem

I think saying no is fair enough. If it's picking up a can of diet coke or something equally common then that's fine , but if requests run to you queuing in several different shops then the answer should be no.

Top reply - made me laugh out loud!!

I would just say...sorry I've got things to do. Can't do it no time ........but I would be thinking...."what am I your freakin gofer.

I'd be saying "I can grab you a sandwich from (xxxxx) because that's where I'm going as long as you know exactly what you want as I don't want to get it wrong. I'm happy to pick up a drink from there as well as long as it is in a can or bottle as that's all I'll be able to carry."
Then they can take it or leave it.
Alternatively, get something they specifically said they hate, say "oops I've got a terrible memory" when they complain, and they'll never ask again.

Urghh my boss does this and I know he is the most picky eater in the world. Monday I said "popping to Tesco do you want anything"... Reply was yeah maybe something Chinese, surprise me! No matter what I get he isn't going to like it does my head in and i end up paying

I always ask my colleagues if they want anything from Morrison’s, out of courtesy, and out of courtesy they smile politely and decline.

Our secretary always did the tea round late morning. The usual "two sugar, milk, but don't stir, it'll be too sweet", "half a sweetener tablet and semi-skimmed", "skimmed soy milk and strawberry tea", "coffee with full cream" ensued.

One day, she stood up with a crazed expression and shouted "Enough! Everybody gets a PG tip teabag and semi-skimmed cow's milk in a normal mug. How many?" All but one took it .

One of the volunteers in the shop I work in once went around asking to borrow money from people for his lunch!!!

I just dart out the door. I don't have time for 13 different lunches when I only get half an hour

YANBU

Not unreasonable. There are times when I know a colleague can't get away and won't get a lunch if someone doesn't come to the rescue and I'm usually happy to do that. But NOT as a matter of routine

As long as there's no reason they couldn't go get their own lunch and you don't want them to grab your stuff other days YANBU.

I only get lunch, no other breaks (school so not even able to nip and make a cup of tea) the others in my department do lunch duty and get other breaks, so I go to the shop as I have time and they bring hot drinks/the odd treat back from break for me. it works for us, but none of us take the piss or ask for awkward things and there is only the 1 shop nearby.

Bloody Janice!!

Caster sugar in a bowl is bad??? Who knew? We only ever have caster sugar in the house (not that any of us takes it in tea/coffee).

YANBU. I used to go and get a colleagues lunch now and again but it would take a good 10 mins out of my break as id have to air and wait for the food to be prepared. I started saying I wasn't going in that direction and that id have to REALLY go out of my way..theyve since found someone else to go. I also bought a colleagues lunch once..she called while i was out and when i got back she said she didnt realise she didnt have cash on her and promised to pay me back the next day. That was months ago and didnt get anything back despite asking a couple times..so just left it. I now bring a packed lunch on most days so as soon as anyone asks I have an excuse ready and tell them I'm staying in as I have lunch with me already

First world problem.

You all ABU.

tippz -

First world problem.

You have no doubt dug a water hole for a refugee camp, saved starving orphans from malaria and invented a new way of keeping fire wood dry today? Well done you.

Next time just get everything wrong on the jumble order, tell I g them you hate having to guess what they want and definitely stop trekking to other places. YANBU.