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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell colleague his coffee is bad for him?

108 replies

BeautyThief · 12/09/2019 20:17

It sounds bad I know, but we have a coffee machine in the office that we rent. I read the ingredients in the powdered milk that makes the coffees and the main one is hydrogenated vegetable oil. It’s supposed to be really bad for us and has been banned in some countries. He has about 4 cups of it every day, I know because I’m right next to the machine. He has heart problems and is on medication for these and is in his early sixties.

I don’t particularly get on with him and are not that friendly but I can’t help but worry when I see him drinking all that coffee! It’s ridiculous isn’t it? But that oil can’t be doing him much good...should I mention it?!

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 12/09/2019 20:18

No, you really shouldn't.

IndieTara · 12/09/2019 20:19

Absolutely not your business

MrsApplepants · 12/09/2019 20:19

No because it’s none of your business

Justmuddlingalong · 12/09/2019 20:20

No. I'm sure it wouldn't be appreciated.

Original poster
BeautyThief · 12/09/2019 20:22

Ok thank you. It most definitely wouldn’t be appreciated! He loves the coffee and is always talking about how it’s the nicest coffee he’s ever had, and I don’t think he’d listen to me one bit. Was just a thought I’ve been having recently but I’ll keep quiet.

OP posts:
Mummadeeze · 12/09/2019 20:23

I drink 4 cans of Diet Coke a day. Lots of colleagues have told me its bad for me. I know, but I don’t take any notice. I don’t think you should say anything personally. Most people are aware loads of coffee is bad for you.

PrincessSarene · 12/09/2019 20:23

Unless he asks for your opinion then you would be very unreasonable to say anything about any of his life choices, including but not limited to how much coffee he gets from the coffee machine. As others have said, it is quite simply none of your business.

DidYeAyee · 12/09/2019 20:25

The only way you could possibly mention it would be "oh, have you tried X coffee? Its amazing!" And offer a healthier one.

onanothertrain · 12/09/2019 20:26

Seriously? FFS.

lastqueenofscotland · 12/09/2019 20:26

Someone I once worked with told me all the caffeine I had was bad for me, I raised an eyebrow and said “and this is your business why?” She left it after that

paintedfences · 12/09/2019 20:27

Hm, I might actually. Last thing before you leave in a breezy sort of way ala ‘oh by the way Steve, I remembered you had to be careful because of your heart and I notified on the back of the coffee packets that blah blah, meant to be bad for heart health. Just thought I’d mention anyway - must dash, see you tomorrow’.

And then never ever mention it again or raise an eyebrow if you see him drinking - his choice after all!

paintedfences · 12/09/2019 20:28

Oh I’ve just seen he’s a grumpy sort who’ll take the hump. Then probably not tbh.

simonisnotme · 12/09/2019 20:28

its got naff all to do with you, keep captain beaky out of it

breaconoptimist · 12/09/2019 20:29

I know but hydrogenated fats and a heart patient - I’d be worried that the man actually didn’t know. He should, they certainly told my dad about caffeine limits and bad fats but you wonder if he hasn’t gotten the message.

Could you stumble over a newspaper article and send it to him?

Unshriven · 12/09/2019 20:29

No.

Because the minute you open your mouth, all that will come out is. 'I know so much better than you' .

And you'll sound stupid.

breaconoptimist · 12/09/2019 20:30

Can you complain about the coffee machine to HR or facilities?

DannyWallace · 12/09/2019 20:32

I would say if you're that worried try and get the coffee machine taken away (or at least changed for one with better quality coffee)

TheSlugAndLettuce · 12/09/2019 20:32

Absolutely bonkers...Confused

Fluffycloudland77 · 12/09/2019 20:33

I wouldn’t bother.

Unshriven · 12/09/2019 20:35

Jesus Christ breaconoptimist , do other people's rights to make personal decisions mean nothing to you?

Why on earth do you assume the guy doesn't know what he's doing?

Life's too short to worry about coffee whitener.

Original poster
BeautyThief · 12/09/2019 20:36

Thanks for replies, @lastqueenofscotland I get why that would be annoying. And I wouldn’t mention the caffeine to him or anyone, because we all know it’s not amazing for us. The worry is that he doesn’t know about hydrogenated oils and I genuinely don’t think he would- don’t mean that to sound horrible but I only know because of my OCD issues around food. When I tell people (about my own issues not to tell them off!) they’ve generally rolled their eyes and said they’d never heard of it being bad.

The newspaper article is a good idea actually, or mentioning another coffee. But yes I’d just sound like a nosey cow probably!

@breaconoptimist we don’t have an HR department it’s a really small office, only 4 of us there. I told my manager about this when I first read the packets and he laughed and said I’m being ridiculous. I will accept that I am Smile And maybe drop the odd hint here and there.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 12/09/2019 20:37

I was buying ibuprofen (for my arthritis) with my weekly shop at Aldi once. The check out assistant informed me they raise your risk of stroke. Arse

Userzzzzz · 12/09/2019 20:40

I think the key thing in your post is your own issues around food. Just don’t say anything.

Span1elsRock · 12/09/2019 20:40

I'd go to whoever is in charge of the machine and ask for a healthier alternative. You have no idea what he eats or drinks at home......... so I wouldn't worry about what he has at work.

GlasshouseStoneThrower · 12/09/2019 20:41

Definitely not. It's nothing to do with you and would be totally unwarranted interference.

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