Colleague eating egg mayo sandwiches - to say something?

[DontGiveUp90]

As above really…my colleague is lovely but insists on eating the most foul smelling egg sandwiches for her lunch. It lingers all afternoon and makes me feel sick.

Would I be unreasonable to say something? We don’t have a break out area where she could eat them as only a small office.

I had no idea egg sandwiches smelled horrid. Not much sense of smell perhaps? I'd have a take out curry or prawn mayo - and buy some airfreshener.

I really want a big stinky cold egg mayo and salad sandwich now!

I used to have a colleague who microwaved mackerel every lunchtime in the kitchen next to the reception area...it was awful and it lingered all through reception and the open plan office. Very embarrassing when clients and visitors arrived.

She was bewildered when people sprayed air fresheners and shut the kitchen door.
She was also bewildered when very politely asked not to microwave mackerel in the reception kitchen.

Another colleague sometimes microwaved pork chops, that was pretty bad but not as bad as fish.

mmm me too ☺️

It's the height of ignorance to eat smelly food in shared spaces. I've sat next to someone on a train who decided to eat cheese and onion crisps and even that is foul. When I go to the doctors, there's always a smell of spicy food in her consulting room. When I used to teach, a student used to eat egg sandwiches in the classroom before I got there.

People should have some sense and not eat smelly food in public places that they share with others.

OMG I wish we had an office kitten.

i love egg sandwiches! Surely they're not that smelly unless the eggs are off?! You could politely ask if it really bothers you.

PS Get some Febreze air freshener. Squirt it around. Then go out for a while.

No nowhere near as bad.

I would say that the smell is lingering and making you feel green - if she could bring a different filling that would be great, but failing that you are going to have to open 2 windows to breeze it out.

I like them but the home made ones are stinky

By whom? I've never called them this or heard them referred to as such.

Same but with Tyrell’s cheese & onion!

I love egg mayo sandwiches but I feel embarrassed eating them! I worry someone will think I’ve farted and I have my own office lol

My husband thinks I’m mad and that the smell is nice and not a fart smell!!

I used to take them in then go sit in my car to eat them which he said was ridiculous! So now I brave eating them at my desk but open a window and eat them fast!!

someone once said ‘my god the fridge smells like sewage’ I knew it was my sandwiches haha!!

I find the smell of Red Bull to be vile. But if someone is drinking one near me I move further away. I wouldn't even consider asking them not to drink it or to drink something different.

I can't believe that someone could be so up themselves that they would tell their colleague they need to alter their lunch preferences going forward.

No wonder people like WFH so much when colleagues are so unpleasant.

Death is too good for them.

I genuinely hate people who eat smelly food in the office, or any other confined space. Especially if they are smacky-lipped eaters.

I had a colleague who microwaved curried fish regularly. If anyone had to go into the staff room, they’d take a deep breath, hold it and run in and out as fast as possible.

I don't notice egg or tuna smelling 🤷‍♀️

Is it really realistic to police colleagues' sandwich choices, given that all foods have a smell? Will you give her an approved list?

“Mate…..have you just dropped one?”

Or if you want to be more polite, find a face mask from Covid times & put it on when she eats her lunch 😷

she should get the hint 😉

I think in a work environment where you don’t have anywhere else to eat lunch that no one should bring in any food that smells. It’s not fair.

OP I’d start opening windows and spraying air freshener. Might make her think if nothing else.

Crackers? All those crunchy noises? Best stick with the chocolate and tap water.

People sitting in front of me on a plane today ordered tuna sandwiches..it was truly sickening and obviously no windows could be opened..disgusting to have to sit through. First time I've seen an airline serve that.

I hate it too but I think it's tough luck. I wouldn't want to told I couldn't eat tuna sandwiches or curry etc

As a stinky food enjoyer myself, I must say I love a home made egg mayo. I never took that stuff into work tho, especially with our tiny basement staff room that would get so hot in the summer. Food smells don’t make me gag, but new car smell fucking repulses me, so I do understand where you’re coming from. It’s a tricky one, and I think if you say something or not kind of depends on how well you know her and what she’s like. You can’t really dictate what she eats tho.

Well no, you can't 'police' people's choices but egg sandwiches are notoriously smelly so it's pretty inconsiderate to be eating them in a confined space. I mean, fine, do it, but know that everyone is calling you 'Stinky Egg Woman' behind your back.