Stealing other people’s food is a big no-no.
If a person is hungry, it’s ok to ask for a piece or a little cash to get by.
But outright taking someone’s food is frustrating.
It’s especially problematic in the workplace.
Redditor bigproman wanted to discuss his experience and get feedback, so he naturally joined the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subreddit.
He asked:
“AITA for locking the office fridge after someone kept stealing my lunch?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“I (34 M[ale]) work in a small office with about 10 people.”
“We share a communal kitchen, including one fridge.”
“Over the past month, my lunch has been stolen five times.”
“Not just random snacks, entire homemade meals I bring from home, gone without a trace.”
“It’s not just frustrating, it’s expensive and messes up my day.”
“I mentioned it a couple of times in the group chat, like ‘Hey, someone’s been taking my lunches. Please stop.’”
“Everyone either ignored it or sent vague messages like ‘ugh that sucks’ or ‘some people are the worst,’ but no one took responsibility.”
“So I bought a mini fridge and put it under my desk.”
“Nothing fancy, just enough to hold my meal and a drink.”
“I also put a little lock on it just for extra peace of mind.”
“Since then, no more stolen lunches.”
“Well, last Friday, one of my coworkers (I’ll call her Dana, 29 F[emale]) confronted me during lunch and said it was ‘weird and selfish’ that I had a personal fridge.”
“She said it made me ‘look paranoid’ and ‘not part of the team.’”
“I said I was tired of my food being stolen, and this was the only solution that worked.”
“She said I should’ve just brought stuff I wouldn’t care about losing, like snacks or microwave meals, if I was so worried.”
“A couple of others have now made little comments like, ‘Don’t let him see your lunch, he might lock it up,’ or ‘We get it, you’re special.’”
“I’m starting to feel like the weirdo in the office just for protecting my stuff.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“AITA for locking up my lunch instead of letting this keep happening?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed in on some options to the question AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared OP was NOT the a**hole.
“NTA… sounds like Dana is hangry now that she doesn’t have free lunch.” ~ Worried_Cucumbers
“It’s not paranoia if it’s true.”
“Dana told on herself by confronting OP.”
“Guaranteed no one else cared about a fridge OP bought with their own money.”
“Dana should be ashamed of herself.”
“Maybe if other people had their lunches stolen, management would actually do something about it.” ~ CatsAndDogs314
“NTA, but Dana is your thief, she got hungry and came looking to steal food…” ~ Visual_Locksmith_976
“This is one of those issues (lunch stolen from shared office space) that pops up frequently online but I’ve never encountered IRL, or known anyone who’s had that happen, either (that I know of).”
“I hope that it’s not so much a pervasive problem but gets disproportionate posts online.”
“I would be inclined to make passive-aggressive jokes/responses when the co-workers make comments like that… or just snappy responses, like, I guess I am special, if my lunch was the only one getting taken!”
“Or, hey, someone else is the lunch thief, I’m just protecting my delicious meals- maybe you are the thief and missing my cooking.”
“Or something snappier, I’m petty, not funny… lol.”
“Definitely NTA.”
“And the coworkers are, especially the one calling you paranoid when your lunches were being stolen, not an unfounded fear, it was actually happening to you.” ~ ZennMD
“Your reply should be ‘Yeah, it sucks that I had to buy a refrigerator but what were my options since a dirtbag thief kept stealing my lunch? I mean, how big of a loser does someone have to be to steal other people’s lunch?'”
“Whoever gets angry at that comment is your thief.” ~ JohnnySkidmarx
“So Dana’s the one who’s been stealing your lunch. NTA.” ~ IAmTAAlways
“Yup. I would point that out too. To everyone.”
“OP: ‘Isn’t it weird that the person who is so concerned about my lunches is Dana?'”
“‘Why is she so upset that no one can get access to my lunches now?'”
“‘Why does she care?’ NTA.” ~ throwawtphone
“NTA, the one who first confronted you is the one who has been stealing your lunch.”
“Also f**k the other people who keep joking about it, it’s your lunch that you paid for.”
“Also, why isn’t your manager doing something about it?” ~ Jazzy404404
“Exactly that.”
“Where the hell are the people who get paid to deal with this kind of sh*t.”
“OP’s coworkers are creating a hostile work environment by stealing and then by harassing OP for protecting themself.”
“Should have been reported officially every single time the lunch was taken, and everyone who is being an AH about it.” ~ CannibalisticVampyre
“NTA, and it’s more than 1 person taking your lunch.”
“Just respond back, ‘The only person who would have a problem with this is an actual thief. So not worried about their feelings.'” ~ Spiralinnigirl
“So Dana is the office thief and is pissed she can’t steal your food anymore???”
“Because that’s my takeaway. NTA.” ~ nw826
“Why would anyone give a sh*t what you have going on under your desk???”
“Who actually cares where you keep YOUR food?”
“You’re living in crazy town.”
“Dana was stealing your lunches and feels justified in doing so, and now she’s spreading awkward rumors about you being paranoid.”
“Maybe you should just steal everyone’s f**king lunch and toss it in the trash for a week, and if they confront you, just say whatever Dana said to you.”
“F**k them all. Scorched earth.” ~ albino_red_head
“NTA WTF is wrong with these people?”
“Clearly, Dana has identified herself as the thief.”
“She said I should’ve just brought stuff I wouldn’t care about losing, like snacks or microwave meals, if I was so worried.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“I don’t care if you brought a can of beans or a stick of gum as your lunch.”
“You don’t want it stolen.”
“I’d directly ask Dana if she’s the thief just to see what she says.”
“If she lies and denies it, ask her why she’s so concerned with your lunch if she’s not the thief?” ~ Mirvb
“NTA, but like we have all said, it’s 100% Dana.”
“Send her a Venmo request for the cost of the food.” ~ Pleasant_Scar9811
“NTA, and honestly, it might be time to have a chat with H[uamn] R[esources] about a hostile work environment.” ~ PodcastJunkie8706
“NTA. Five missing lunches is a literal office crime wave.”
“They should be a little more concerned with that than what steps you take to keep your own food safe.”
“This tells me there’s probably more than one person in on the thievery.”
“By the way: Dana totally did it.” ~ Muted-Win-3515
“NTA. That’s the weirdest dynamic… in my place of work, the thief gets attacked, not the victim.”
“Next time, tell their teammates not to steal from each other, and adults own up to stuff.” ~ CannibalisticVampyre
“Great job, you found the lunch stealer (Dana)!”
“Honestly, just ignore everyone else.”
“If they can’t act like grown a** adults and not steal s**t that isn’t theirs, you can do what you need to do for peace of mind. NTA.” ~ m33chm
“NTA. Don’t engage on this topic.”
“You already justified your valid choice to Dana once, and that’s one time too many.”
“You raised the problem, no one fixed it, so don’t subject yourself to their irrelevant opinions now.” ~ CandylandCanada
“NTA. But why didn’t you go to HR?”
“Stealing lunches is theft, and it adds up to misdemeanors and potential felonies.”
“Now, you’re getting harassed by the potential thief, and she’s mad she can no longer get free food?”
“This is all kinds of messed up.” ~ creamatwinkie
“NTA, the people trying to make you feel bad are the ones stealing your lunch or being egged on by the ones stealing your lunch.”
“Respond by turning the tables, ‘Why are you so frustrated? Could it be because you no longer get a free home-cooked lunch?'”
“Then just stare at them.” ~ FairyFartDaydreams
“I’d straight up start throwing away the lunches of people who are saying sh*t from the community fridge multiple times and when they complain about it shrug your shoulders and advise them to get a mini fridge.”
“Also, I’d address everything with your boss and HR if you have one, that you’re being bullied and targeted by multiple people on your team. NTA.” ~ PhantomsOpera
“Little Miss Dana may be the culprit as well.”
“You are NTA.”
“Plus your coworkers sounds like they need to grow the hell up and realize someone was stealing your lunches I mean damn they would do the same over their s**t!” ~ Maleficent-Garden585
“NTA. Let your boss know what’s going on and why you, with your own money, purchased a mini fridge if this doesn’t blow over.”
“Why on Earth should you bring unappetizing meals so adults don’t steal them?”
“Her logic makes zero sense.”
“Looks like you found your lunch thief, though. 👀” ~ YasQueenies
“NTA, kinda sounds like most of the office were dipping their hands in your grub.” ~ pentacasst
“NTA, and Dana is now upset she’s not getting free lunches anymore.”
“She’s also actively talking about you and your fridge behind your back, stirring up others to do the same.”
“Treat Dana accordingly, and keep using your fridge.” ~ TepHoBubba
Reddit is with you, OP.
Stealing is not cool.
And Dana is most likely your thief.
This calls for an HR solution to the crime wave at lunch hour.
Protect what’s yours at all costs.