'Lisa is absurd': Nosy coworker keeps trying to get employee to share her lunch, confronts her in the office kitchen

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 13, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

Is Lisa not capable of making her own lunch? Can you imagine being wired in such a way that you genuinely would feel entitled to your coworker's lunch?! Lisa wasn't even slightly senior to OP as far as we know, not that it would be ok if she were but we all know how horrible bosses can be. 

This thread was posted to Reddit's r/AmITheA**hole subreddit by u/sxrllyya, who became known for making elaborate lunches and bringing them to the office. Now, as someone whose homemade office lunch is often a sad and empty turkey sandwich, I too would be intrigued by OP's dedication to making a balanced meal. But I'd never ask for some of it. I'd let OP offer some, and even then, I would feel wrong to take a bite. 

Lisa, however, had the audacity to confront OP numerous times over the fact that she never shares her beautiful lunches with her coworkers, as if that were part of her contract or something. If someone were to ever do this to me (not that they would because, obviously, I only make sad and empty turkey sandwiches), I would ask them where in the employee handbook does it say that I am obligated to share my lunch. Thankfully, OP rightfully stood her ground, and apparently, things got heated in the office kitchen, which was probably fun to witness if you were a bystander.

Keep scrolling below for the full story. For more, check out these work stories where entire teams quit.

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  • 02
    Font - for Refusing to Share My Food with My Co-worker? I (22F) work in a busy office with several co-workers, and one of them, Lisa (26F), has been causing a bit of drama recently. I'm not sure if I'm the Ohole in this situation.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 03
    Font - It all started when Lisa noticed that I often brought delicious homemade lunches to the office. She began making comments about how she'd love to try my cooking and suggested that I bring extra portions to share with everyone. While I don't mind sharing occasionally, I didn't feel obligated to do so every day.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 04
    Font - One day, Lisa saw me heating up my lunch, which was a special dish I had prepared for my anniversary with my husband. She asked if I could share some with her and a few other co-workers. I politely declined, explaining that it was a special meal for my anniversary, and I had made just enough for the two of us.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 05
    Font - Lisa seemed offended and said I was being selfish. She continued making comments about how I should be more giving and share my food with my co-workers to foster a better office environment. I tried to explain that it wasn't my responsibility to provide food for everyone, but she didn't seem to understand.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 06
    Font - A few days later, Lisa confronted me again, asking if she could at least have a taste of whatever I brought that day. I was getting frustrated with her constant requests and told her no, which led to a heated argument in the office kitchen. Other colleagues got involved, and it turned into an uncomfortable situation.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 07
    Font - Now, I'm wondering if I overreacted by not sharing my lunch with Lisa and whether I should have been more accommodating. Ofor refusing to share my food with my co- worker?
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 08
    Font - Oeozoe0 6 hr. ago Absolutely NTA. This is so weird to me. I can't even imagine having Lisa's mindset and thinking I'm entitled to someone else's lunch. That's bizarre.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 09
    Font - Honestly, I think you should go to management or HR at this point. Someone needs to talk to Lisa about her inappropriate behavior. You shouldn't have to deal with her pestering you every time you have your lunch. 3.8k Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 10
    Font - WaldoJeffers65. 6 hr. ago Not only does she feel entitled to OP's lunch, she feels entitled to telling OP to bring in food for everyone. 1.3k Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 11
    Font - RoyallyOakie 6 hr. ago NTA...You are under absolutely no obligation to share your food with a colleague. You are not a personal chef. Your management or HR should be talking to Lisa about her antics. It's ridiculous that it went this far. 619 Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
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    Font - or torienne4lyfe 6 hr. ago NTA- not only is this weird and overstepping, but like it's also a huge liability for you if you did. If she got sick after eating your food she could make your life Imagine if she got an allergic reaction? I would talk to HR and if she asked again I would tell her that "you are making me uncomfortable." And just leave it there. She is creating a hostile work environment. truly 372 Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 13
    Font - jess3842 6 hr. ago NTA. This woman is overstepping and creating the uncomfortable environment. I would hope your boss or HR dept could tell her to cut it out. 146 Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 14
    Font - DueIsland2983 NTA, and Lisa? - 6 hr. ago You aren't a meal service. If you take the effort to make yourself a nice lunch you've made yourself a nice lunch; Lisa can make herself whatever she wants to. If that isn't what she prioritizes then that's fine, but it doesn't give her the right to demand yours. 103 Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 15
    Font - LiesTricks 6 hr. ago. edited 6 hr. ago NTA. Asking once is fine, asking twice is cringe, this is just harrasment. I mean this is actually creepy and unhealthy. Speak to your manager and file a complaint before she does. And if she was that bothered about sharing food and creating a better office enviroment why doesn't she make the effort and bring her own food to share with every one? Or give her the recipe as a olive branch, just to show this is more about her wanting to take what is you
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 16
    Font - Info do you cook any particular quisine? Something Lisa might not have learned to cook at home?
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 17
    Rectangle - murphy2345678 · 6 hr. ago NTA. It's time to talk to HR. 62 Reply Share
    via u/sxrllyya
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    Font - Ingwall-Koldun. 6 hr. ago NTA. Who does Lisa think she is? Tell her that if she wants you to share your food on a regular basis, she should at least offer to share her money. You know, to be more giving and foster a better office environment.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 19
    Font - Ravenclaw EC 6 hr. ago NTA! You are in no obligation to feed her or anyone else in the office. I would put a complain in HR about her harrassing you because that is what she is doing.
    via u/sxrllyya
  • 20
    Font - TheNewVoice Of Reason. 6 hr. ago Definitely NTA. Why on earth would Lisa think she or anyone else is entitled to your food? Lisa is absurd. Tell her that you only make enough food for yourself and your hubs, and you'd be happy to share your recipes if she wants to cook and provide for the office.
    via u/sxrllyya

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terrible coworkers karens aita workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace work coworkers lunch Office karens in the wild entitled reddit thread Reddit karen entitled people toxic-work-environment
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