Called “greedy” at work

[HamOnBeth]

Yesterday we had a lunch buffet for a staff member who is going on mat leave. Usual routine is the buffet comes out at lunch time and everyone brings something such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, flapjacks, etc etc … basic party food. We do a little gift and card giving presentation then everyone gets tucked into the buffet. After lunch the food stays there and people just pick at it during the afternoon whilst they work.

So after lunch we got back to work and I walked across and got a few more sandwiches (other people were also going back up). An hour or so later I went back and got a few more bits - certainly not platefuls - just a couple of sandwiches, a couple of (bite size) flapjacks and a muffin.

We leave at 5pm. At 4pm someone said “there is so much food left”. That’s all I heard so I assumed it needed using up so I went back and got a few more bits. At this point someone said “Jesus Christ Beth, are you hungry?!”

I said “well it needs using up doesn’t it?” And laughed trying to keep it light hearted. Someone else then said “there is going to be none left for people to take home! No need to be greedy with it”.

Long story short it was apparently agreed that whatever was left would be taken home by those with kids. I did not hear this. I said I hadn’t heard this so someone said “Well no, you won’t have” and rolled their eyes.

was I really out of order here?? The food was there, lots of it. Nobody else was bothering with it. I’m embarrassed but I still don’t really think I did anything wrong? It’s not like I scoffed it all as soon as it came out.

Tough! You snooze you lose! Also that’s implying OP wasn’t working. @HamOnBeth YANBU If it’s a regular party buffet, the expectation is people will be picking at for the remainder of the day while it’s there. Then whatever’s left is usually shared fairly between whoever wants it. OPs office sounds a judgemental nightmare monitoring who’s taking what and then deciding only people with kids are allowed to take any leftovers at home - feck that!

Well… They were certainly working less than everyone else if they spent the afternoon back and forward to the buffet.

It literally takes seconds to grab a plate and load up on food. I think loss of output was negligible!

Are you?

It feels weird to have food sit out all afternoon. We do pitch-ins at work, but the food is put away after an hour or so and sometimes we eat leftovers for days.

I think that if you had a plate at lunch time then thought you'd take more at 4pm you are taking your chances. Better to make up another plate for yourself after everyone has had a chance at a first round and save it.

Well, maybe the OP was hungry. Some days you can get hungrier than usual, you've got your period, it's cold, you didn't sleep enough. whatever.

I don't know about manky leftovers but I used to hate if there was cake left out to go stale and not covered. Such a waste.

I don’t like people putting lots on a plate, nor going back for more. I am an inveterate snob, mind.

So what would you do?

Lucky you if you think it's that simple.

ooh shocking!

This must honestly be the dumbest thing I’ve read in a long time.😂

There was plenty of food, no-one at work was missing out, fill your boots OP - you weren't sticking it in Tupperware to take home, you were eating it then and there. As was intended.

I'd be glad to see the food being eaten if I'd brought it, and if I heard someone say that to you, I'd make a point of going up and getting some more myself, because again, that's what it was for.

The food is there to be eaten! As long as other people have had a chance to grab some, then go back for seconds as many times as you like. It's quite normal for people to grab a few bits throughout the day at my work when there are treats out.

I wouldn't dream of commenting like this to a colleague; it is rude and unnecessary.

Shocking behaviour of them to say things like this in a work setting. Make a point of saying something to them to highlight that you took note of what they said. It gives warning vibes to not mess again. ‘Ey people were really narked about they buffet yesterday weren’t they’ or something like that. If you’re passive, as another poster said, a bullying situation could start.

It’s posts like this that make me think I’ll never leave my job, this situation would simply never arise. I’m not sure of your office etiquette but I would have said fuck off you cheeky bastard and feed your kids yourself and no one would bat an eyelid but I suppose it depends on your environment

Why are those with kids the chosen ones? Fuck that.

I would be subscribing to the Sarah Millican school of work buffets.

Ok maybe OP should just say “ stop being tight wads and buy your kids actual dinner rather than cadging left overs from office party “

Probably would have raised an eyebrow at someone visiting the buffet 4 times which seems like a lot of me but don’t think I would really have registered . I mean who keeps tracks of these things.
it’s a lunch time buffet you were entitled to visit it ten times if you wanted ( assuming of course
there was enough food for everyone of course )

Don’t give it another thought op. It will old news by the morning

How is it not that simple though? I know (believe me, I know!) that it's really not easy to change your diet. But it's a plain fact that if you eat less than your body needs, you'll lose weight; if you eat more than it needs, you'll gain weight. That's just basic physics.

It’s rude to say anything but you did have the equivalent 3 lunches and then took more of the same food to eat at home…

No, they weren’t very nice or polite, OP. Nobody should be calling a colleague ‘greedy’ in front of others and embarrassing them. In hindsight, you should’ve said, “I’m quite upset by that. I’ve only had a few small things and there’s plenty to go around.” Rude colleague.

Which is why I'd go for a 2nd piece. 😁

Really rude- tell them to bugger off next time. A buffet is there to be eaten.