Coworker Shatters Fish Tank, Doesn't Think They Have To Pay For It

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Eric Lund
Sep 24, 2021 6:00 PM EDT

This gem of a coworker went and destroyed a fish tank and then had the audacity to say it's not their fault—poor fish. Reddit user u/Judith_mayo posted this story to r/AmITheAsshole and received a classic internet pile-on from others, who pointed out that this person went into another person's office when they weren't supposed to be there, broke something valuable, and then refused to help pay to fix the mess they created. What a unicorn moment of peer pressure. The worst part of this is that their co-worker didn't give the user permission to be in their office — what were they even doing there?

To be fair, check the edit to the post: u/Judith_mayo accepted they were in the wrong and wrote that they made the initial post before thinking the whole situation through. It's nice to see people take responsibility — even if they need quite the nudge just to get there. For some more examples of straight-up baffling behavior, here's the roommate who stole food, had an allergic reaction, and demanded payment for their EpiPen.

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  • 01
    Font - A r/AmItheAsshole · Posted by u/Judith_mayo 22 hours ago 2 AITA for not wanting to pay for my coworkers new aquarium. Asshole My coworker has a 20 gallon aquarium in her office that's been there a year. It's sitting on a very long shelf. With out thinking I leaned on the shelf with my full weight getting something from her desk. When I stopped leaning the shelf shook and the tank fell and shattered all over the floor. She was a lunch when this happened. Some of the techs helped me get all
    via Judith_mayo
  • 02
    Font - When she came back from lunch she freaked out and screamed at me telling me No one should have been in her office to begin with with her not being there. 4 of her 7 betta died and about half her plants. She bought me a receipt this morning saying I need to reimburse her. It came out to $250 worth of plants, rocks, and other stuff which is insane. She also told me that she has ordered $75 worth of specially bread betta females from the same breeder she got her previous fish from. She said
    via Judith_mayo
  • 03
    Organism - Mammoth-Neat-6393 - 1d - edited 15h O4 & 18 More Partassipant [1] YTA. You destroyed her property, killed her fish, and are not taking any responsibility for your f..k up. If what she says is true, that you shouldn't have been in her office, add that to the list of other reasons you're TA.
    via Judith_mayo
  • 04
    Font - lihzee · 1d Professor Emeritass [92] YTA. You caused the tank to fall. And why were you in her office when she wasn't there? Why the hell are you leaning your full weight against an aquarium in the first place?
    via Judith_mayo
  • 05
    Smile - TenaciousTiger666 - 1d 2 e YTA. So you're telling us that you went into her space and broke her sh, but somehow that's her fault for having her shit in her space?
    via Judith_mayo
  • 06
    Smile - Time-U-1 · 1d YTA. You break, you buy. Require receipts. Ask for an installment plan if you cannot pay all at once. Accidents happen, so does responsibility.
    via Judith_mayo
  • 07
    Font - dingthewitchisdeaf - 1d - edited 1d S Asshe Aficionado [14] How are you NOT at fault? You were in her office without permission, you leaned on a shelf supporting a full tank full of fish, you caused said shelf to break resulting in the deaths of her expensive pets and the destruction of her tank. Half if my office says I should not have to pay for it because it was her choice to build it If you buy a car and someone accidently hits you is it all your fault for purchasing and driving said
    via Judith_mayo
  • 08
    Font - pinkbutterfly26 - 1d · edited 23h YTA. Why were you in her office if she wasn't there? Why weren't you more careful if you know there is a 20 gallon aquarium in her office? 'She should have had a sign saying don't touch the shelf?' Are you a kid? Please don't be an AH and pay her, you broke it and killed some of her animals.
    via Judith_mayo
  • 09
    Font - Persicophobia · 1d YTA for sure. As someone with a betta sorority I can tell you getting it started is one of the hardest things to do and very expensive. You better give her the money. This is your fault.
    via Judith_mayo
  • 10
    Font - Crafty-Koshka · 1d Asshole Enthusiast [5] YTA What the f ? You're blaming her? When you're the one to clearly admit that you had caused this? If she had gotten approval from HR or the building owner or whoever is in charge of office changes she's allowed the aquarium. If it's been there for so long that's likely the case. What, did you, like, climb up onto the table or something? Putting your whole weight on it? That was irresponsible and you should pay full cost for replacing it
    via Judith_mayo
  • 11
    Font - BlackStarBlues · 1d Asshe Enthusiast [8]] So you're that person that breaks people's stuff and refuses to pay for a replacement because they shouldn't have had that nice thing. Thankfully, I've never met one of you IRL. YTA
    via Judith_mayo
  • 12
    Font - ImpressiveCollar5811 · 1d Asshe Aficionado [10] YTA. You said it yourself "without thinking I.." you're admitting fault. It's only right you pay her fir what you destroyed even if t was by accident. Why were you at her desk, in her office to begin with without permission?
    via Judith_mayo
  • 13
    Plant - Update: I am aware that IATA ok. I will be paying for anything and everything that she needs. I wrote this when I was in shock due to the cost but you have Made me realize I am 100% wrong. I will also be giving her extra for compensation.
    via Judith_mayo

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wtf morals work coworkers judgement fish tank jerk story fish
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