To be freaked out by the buffet?

[BornInSydneyy]

We had a huge buffet at work today (last day today) and as my colleague who sits next to me was away all the food was placed on his desk.

I hate buffets really, just the smell is enough to make me feel sick. The team descended on it like a pack of hyenas.

People started plating their food up on my actual desk whilst I was trying to work ... food wrappers being left, cutting bread next to my hand on my mouse, leaving crumbs, piling dip on their plate on my desk.

Aibu to think it’s gross to be doing that and felt like my personal space was invaded?

I did snap eventually and told them to stop it.

I know these types of buffets, the ones where the food is put out and everyone grazes through the day.
They aren't that much fun for the person sitting right on top of it, especially as often once 5.30pm comes everyone bolts for the door/pub and it's left there.
The OP will no doubt retun to work to find mini scotch eggs under her desk.
It should be set out in a neutral place (where would it have gone had her colleague been at his desk).

I think I'd be tempted to hide a prawn in the OP's stapler.

No idea why

I guess I'm just petty like that

Was your desk right by the buffet or were people carrying their food right through the office to use your desk as a dumping ground?

If it's the latter, you've got a point

There's a hell of a lot judgement on this thread over a buffet!

It should be set out in a neutral place (where would it have gone had her colleague been at his desk).

OP has stated that the smell of buffet makes her sick.

So unless her colleagues were compelled to sit and eat the buffet in the "neutral space" too, she would have been confronted by the smell of them eating the buffet at their desks.

But i dont understand why the buffet freaked you out?

12 people eating a buffet (and one person diligently working) in an office is not a party

we've found the Christmas grinch

Mumof56

RTFT FGS please

@timeforabrewnow.
I have. What's your issue?

"people thought it was ok to leave rubbish, crumbs, blobs of dip, slice up bread and cheese on my desk whilst I’m sat there "

So what happened when you shrieked "Oi Piggos! Take your mess elsewhere!" ?

Oh wait, let me guess, you said nothing while sitting there & seethed instead. Coz It's British, doncha know.

WorraLiberty

😂 It'd be at peak ripeness by January 2nd

I think this aibu is a bit pointless

To be fair, you started it.....

I fail to see how a huge buffet could be placed on a standard office desk. Why didn't you tell them to put the food somewhere else as you were still working. But it was still quite rude of you carrying on working when everyone else was eating. You should have given in graciously and took some sips of bottled water from a crystal glass.

Aw why are people being so mean?

Maybe because this is very much a first world problem and the OP needs to unclench a little?

A work buffet is a little treat/bonding thing and the best we can hope for in some workplaces where Christmas bonuses etc are completely unheard of.

I think it was very rude of them to use your actual desk. Why didn’t you just push them off?

I wouldn't like people plating up on my actual desk but I bloody love a buffet. You've never seen people move so quick in my office as when there's leftover buffet from a meeting.

YABU- why didn’t you join in with everyone even if you didn’t want to eat?

Sounds like you were sulking and wanted to prove a point. Backfired though didn’t it?

That's really gross. I can just imagine all the crumbs on desks and random bits trod into the carpet. If they are going to have a Christmas lunch they should at least put it in a conference room or something.

But it's not the OP's desk - it belongs to the company. They can do a shit on it if they want to. It's not like they were in her home and trashing it.

why the actual fuck would a grown adult be excited about being given food?
Eh?? Why on earth not. I don't think I know anyone who doesn't find being given food exciting. How odd.

Seriously? I'm genuinely interested in this, because food is available everywhere that's why people shouldn't be excited. You might anticipate a good meal in a restaurant, but you can get sandwiches, bread etc anywhere, including in your own house.

I was on a plane a few years ago and they started handing out free chocolate bars, things like Mars Bars and snickers etc., I took two chocolates that was nice to have on the flight. Others took 10, 20 bars and stuffed their hand luggage with it. Why? I cannot comprehend it. (and I have a massive appetite).

Do you think its something to do with people who deny themselves things and then when offered it for free they then think they have "permission" to eat?

There is such an appalling lack of reading comprehension skills on this thread.

How odd that the buffet was laid out someone's desk (even if they were away)

As the person on the desk next to the buffet YANBU. I just don't think many posters have read your opening post properly.

Why the Hell wasn't it in the kitchen?

if you don't want buffet food in your desk... Move it to someone else's. Or throw it in the bin. I throw it out. I make a generation statement "Does anyone want any of this xyz?... No? ... Ok"..
BIN. They soon learn that if they want snacks for later they'll find somewhere else to put the food.