My coworker started labeling his individual cans of soda in the office fridge.
By @kirafr · Work
Someone apparently took one of his Cokes last week, and now he's passive-aggressively labeling everything. It's making the office kitchen feel tense, and a few other people have started doing the same with their snacks.
The full story
The whole thing started about two weeks ago. He came in complaining that one of his sodas was gone. The next day, he had his name written in sharpie on every single can in his 12-pack. Then a note appeared on the fridge door: 'Please respect other people's property. What's not yours, is not yours.' Now, at least two other coworkers have started putting their initials on their yogurts and pre-packaged salads. The atmosphere in the breakroom has gotten really weird and quiet. Nobody wants to be the person who accidentally grabs the wrong thing, and it feels like we're all being monitored. I understand being annoyed that someone took your stuff, but the response feels disproportionate and it's making the whole office environment uncomfortable. I'm just trying to figure out the most logical way to restore some sense of normalcy. Should I suggest to the office manager that we send a general email about 'fridge etiquette'? Or should I talk to the guy directly and just offer to buy him a new pack of Coke to chill him out? The other option is just to let it go, but I feel like it's only going to escalate further. I'm genuinely looking for the most efficient way to solve this petty problem before it gets even weirder.
How people voted
- OP Is Right — 23% (11 votes)
- Both Messy — 45% (21 votes)
- OP Is Wrong — 32% (15 votes)
Readers say “Both Messy” (45%) — 47 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@heyokay — If you don't want people to label their own food, then don't take things that don't belong to you.
@nellieok — This reminds me of my old roommate who put a lock on the cheese drawer in our fridge.
@sageish — Why doesn't the office just get a vending machine?
@maeish — you should start labeling individual coffee beans
@finnkinda — The adults are adulting beautifully.
Keep reading
- My coworkers made a 'menu' of prices for bailing on lunch plans.
- My coworker is taking credit for my project and I'm not sure if I should report them.
- My coworker and I matched on a dating app and now he’s acting weird.
- I took a pay cut so my coworker could keep his job.
- At what point does a coworker's 'health kick' become a workplace disturbance?