Coworker gets asked to pick up another coworker's lunch all the time, once he did, but never got paid for the food, and now he doesn't know how to set boundaries: 'There is no reason that he can't drive to a restaurant during lunch'.

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Jul 5, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

Setting boundaries is hard, but when it is with coworkers you have to see every day, it's harder.

Entitled people are everywhere, and it is not uncommon to have them as coworkers. Asking you for thousands of favors but never offer to repay you. These ungrateful beings that love the idea of someone doing something for them but hate getting confronted for their lack of repayment are especially annoying when you have to put up with them every day for more than 8 hours a day. You can't escape them or make excuses to avoid them because you will have to see them the next day. You can't run away from them forever.

In this Reddit story, this employee is tired of being taken advantage of by a lazy coworker who not only asks people to go out of their way to get him lunch but also does not repay them when they come back. The worst thing is not the money, but also the fact that he never offers to do it in return or to invite lunch as a way to repay. He just forces other people to take on his expenses without their consent. He takes advantage of friendly co workers that thought it was a one-time favor. That shows the kind of person he is, a bad one, someone who uses other people for their benefit without any shame. He also has to see the people he exploited every day, but he does not care. Not even a second thought. He just pretends it's fine to ask them again. All because no one dares to confront him or wants to, as it's happening in the work environment.

These coworkers who are being pawns of this horrible man need to stand up for themselves. Start saying no, which, by the way, is a full sentence. No. I don't want to get you lunch and pay for it. Get your lunch by yourself like an adult and stop using nice people who are trying to be helpful for your own benefit.

Advertisement
  • I have a coworker who almost instinctively knows when I'm leaving the office for lunch. I bring my lunch most days, so this doesn't happen too often. The issue is that he always asks me to bring him lunch if I'm going somewhere. He'll even come out to your car in the parking lot while you're trying to leave. Sure, it doesn't sound too bad, but this person always asks and has never once offered to get lunch for me or anyone else. I bought him
    via LocalGoat81
  • Co-workers working together and discussing diverse topics by sitting around a table.
    via Annie Spratt

    Co-workers working together and discussing diverse topics by sitting around a table. 

  • breakfast once about six months ago, and he still hasn't paid me back. That's another reason I don't want to help him. How would you handle this? Avoiding him can be tricky sometimes. Also, he drives himself to work each day and has a safe and reliable car. There is no reason that he can't drive to a restaurant during lunch like many others do. I don't want to be ride, so I'm just curious about others' opinions.
    via LocalGoat81
  • gi_fm "I can't do that today, but I think Doordash delivers from a couple places around here". Or, if you are willing, "Sure! Do you have any cash on you?" If he says no, then add "well, next time then" and leave before he says anything else.
    via LocalGoat81
  • ForestOfIllumination If he hasnt paid you back tell him this lunch ain't for the broke Standing up for yourself isnt being r de either
    via LocalGoat81
  • Capn_Link Just straight up tell them no. Get uncomfortable, you'll get past it quickly enough.
    via LocalGoat81
  • grumpvet87 "you never payed me for the last time. no thank you"
    via LocalGoat81
  • Three men talking to each other while at work in an office.
    via Austin Distel

    Three men talking to each other while at work in an office.

  • bugabooandtwo If you want to avoid conflict "I"m not going for lunch. I have an errand to run." Then go for your lunch.
    via LocalGoat81
  • Tight_Steak_232 Say no. There are a host of reasons, and money is number one. Number two is that they always screw you in the drive through, and the larger the order, the better the chance your order will be messed up. Number three is that you are not Uber eats. He's trying to avoid using Uber eats so he doesn't have to tip. Number four is the MOST important reason: you don't want to.
    via LocalGoat81
  • bumbleforreal No is a complete sentence just say no
    via LocalGoat81
  • Particular_Copy_666 "I can't, I'm sorry." And leave it at that. Providing a long, drawn-out explanation or lying, as some people have suggested, is strange. And it's not needed.
    via LocalGoat81
  • Cyborg Bob1977 You got to figure out a way to set some boundaries here. It doesn't sound like the guy has many.
    via LocalGoat81
  • MYQkb 21h ago People like this love "getting people to serve them." They will wait as long as possible, and the moment you maneuver yourself to get lunch they will ALLOW you the opportunity to get something for them.
    via LocalGoat81
  • I would be interested in talking to this person, they most likely are always calculating how to generate "value for themselves." Out of everyone they meet. Meager as it is but something as simple as getting you to buy them a meal, and never reciprocating is huge to them. But I'll bet if you bring it up or ask about it, they will ridicule you for being so petty, or stingy and greedy to
    via LocalGoat81
  • want compensation. They will move heaven and earth before they pay you with their money. Get ready for a Dunkin donuts gift card that still has $11.32 on it..... Which is more than what you bought me, so now you owe me. The fact they run down your car.... Are they a manager? Who do they report to?
    via LocalGoat81
  • Next-Drummer-9280 How would you handle this? Learn the word no. Stop worrying about being ride. He doesn't care how r de he is to you. Him: "Pick me up some lunch." You: "No."
    via LocalGoat81
  • Him: "Why not?" You: "Because I said no." Him: "But why not?" You: "Because I said no. Stop asking."
    via LocalGoat81

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

lunch break boundaries entitled people workplace
Scroll Down For The Next Article