Not to buy colleague a ready meal?

[CloseYourEyesAndSee]

I hardly ever think of AIBUs but this feels appropriate
In the office the other day, I was going to stretch my legs. A colleague asked me to buy her a chicken ready meal if I went near a shop.
I went to marks and Spencer to buy Percy pigs. The ready meals were about £5. She didn't offer me money before I went, she's not in my team and I might not see her in person for months. I would probably have ended up paying for her lunch.
I also don't like her, she's rude and weird and messed with my stuff once because I was using the desk she likes.
Final point, I'm vegan and don't want to buy chicken, but I was too chicken (lol) to say that.
If I liked her, I would have happily bought a meal but I would have said can I get you a veggie one instead, and I wouldn't have minded if I didn't get paid back.
I told her the meals were £5 and I didn't feel comfortable spending that much of her money without her agreement. But I never had any real intention of buying one, mostly because there were no actual supermarkets nearby anyway.
Context, I'm a manager and she isn't, but I'm a lone parent and broke as shit.

So, was I a total cow (YABU) or a diplomatic genius? (YANBU)

Percy pigs are vegan!

@CastleCrasher

I think it was poorly handled to be honest, either say no, or say yes and do it. As it was, presumably a fair chunk of lunch break was over and she then had to leave and get the lunch you said you'd pick up. Next time why not either say no or say sure, but I don't have any cash on me so I'll need the money now

We don't have lunch breaks. We pop out to stretch our legs when we can. If people need food they use that time to go buy it. She went out shortly after.

Given that so many people don't carry cash now, think I'd have said 'do you want to give me the cash or will you transfer it when I'm back?'

odd to say you'd get it when you had no intention of doing that.

I would have just asked for the money. You’re lucky to have avoided the “I will only buy vegetarian ready meals” conversation.

@WorraLiberty

I don't know, probably nothing. I would have felt super weird asking a manager who wasn't my manager to buy me things without paying up front.

But you'd be totally cool with it if they worked in a non managerial role?

It's a cheeky thing to ask anyone.

People can be very strangely entitled when it comes to anybody perceived as earning more. Managers are ‘expected’ to treat their staff so a bit awkward for them to ask for money. But a random teammate of course there’s be no such awkwardness.

I always state I’m paying. My manager doesn’t let me but I always state it upfront!

I think you should have said no to start with. Or asked for money up front.

So yanbu for not getting it, but I don’t think “diplomatic genius” either

But it’s not worth any brain space or worrying about, and it’s good she at least won’t ask you again.

YANBU but I would have said I’m not planning on going in any shops - just so she’s aware you’re not going to be buying her anything.

Her: can you get me a chicken ready meal?
You: no, sorry

Saves on all that internal frustration you’ve got going on

She's a CF for asking. I wouldn't ask anyone in my office to buy my food. And if she must ask, she should have given you some money.

Don't worry about it.

Percy pigs are not vegan it seems

Its awkward if the purse doesnt come out! My colleague used buy sandwich for the boss then colleague had no petty cash. So you can be out of pocket too.. if its regular

Also OP it sounds childish but if you (like most women) were raised as a people pleaser it gives you a little thrill to stand up for yourself

Admittedly I've only worked in smaller offices/wards but generally if I was going out to a shop I'd ask if anyone wanted anything. Even if I didn't know them I would still offer. It's the same now in a ward if someone orders in on nightshift we generally ask who wants to go in on it (admittedly would get the money before ordering). So personally I feel YAB(a wee bit)U

Yes, better to be straight up and give her a chance to get it herself, but I feel your pain as I used to get in the bacon sandwiches on way to work and always had people not paying.

YABU to agree to buy lunch, then don't buy lunch and lie about it

YANBU to just say no upfront.

Sainsbos? YABU.

Urgh, YABU. I can't get my head around vegans pushing their agenda onto non vegans.

Percy Pig ingredients

E901 is beeswax, as mentioned above. I did not know that.

They are vegan aren't they?

My attempt at a joke went well then.

Agree, pupcakes. I would have said, no I’m vegan I don’t to buy chicken.
But I wouldn’t have made my own judgment on it, without saying why...

She’s a cf to ask you to get you a ready meal without offering the money anyway .

No they are not Vegan. Just veggie unfortunately

YANBU - she should have given you the money first not presumed on you to pay for her food

@PinkSyCo

YWBU to eat Percy pigs when you are a vegan.

The only vegans i know that care about beeswax are the hardcore ones who check toilet roll holders for animal based glue. Life is just too short.

@MajorCarolDanvers

YABU to agree to buy lunch, then don't buy lunch and lie about it

YANBU to just say no upfront.

Yes, this.

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

PinkSyCo
YWBU to eat Percy pigs when you are a vegan
They are vegan aren't they