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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/10/2008 1:12:11 AM
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jaimestarcross
Posts: 789
Joined: 11/28/2005
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Don't feed complainers - it doesn't make them stop!
Put a sign up saying "I don't have snacks or food to share any more". --- any one asks any way just point to the sign!
If it's possible to eat somewhere else... do it.
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/10/2008 1:28:08 AM
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pbaribeault
Posts: 1011
Joined: 4/29/2005
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"I'm not interested in sharing."
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/10/2008 12:56:12 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4262
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: online
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I've dealt with this before. Don't bring extras in (the whole cake, unless its a birthday or something)
If you can get a key to your desk, lock it up. It's dumb but people will just take stuff because "so and so has it". I don't bring plastic forks, sugar, anymore just because I made a trip to the store and they didn't. They have a job (obviously) so they need to provide for themself.
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/10/2008 5:04:08 PM
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cynthia
Posts: 7999
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
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You are sending mixed messages and have set a precedence of giving your food away when asked. It is difficult to change the boundaries once they have been established, but you can do it if it’s really that big of a deal to you. First off, as a Christian, all boundaries must be established from a loving attitude, so when you speak to them, it ought not to be out of irritation.
Next time they come to you and ask if you have any food, do not answer their question directly. Say, I’m sorry, I didn’t bring enough to share. That’s all you have to say. Every time they ask you for food that you do not want to share, tell them the same thing. When you do bring food to share, make sure you tell them you brought some goodies to share and ask if they would like some. If you don’t want them to help themselves, then don’t leave it out for them, but give them a piece.
Remember you are not the food police. It’s really none of your business how much they eat of what you bring, if it is set out self serve style. It’s actually kind of rude of you to count how many each person has and it is certainly rude to then hold that against them.
_____________________________
My husband and I have a motto:
We are the leader. We are one.
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/10/2008 6:32:05 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1845
Joined: 9/26/2007
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Yeah, you'll have to change the way you do things, as Cynthia says. I would say, with an apologetic smile, "I'm afraid I only brought enough lunch for my own needs. Sorry." Then get busy doing something and turn away from them. Don't call it snacks because that indicates that it's not a need but an extra treat that you could possibly share.
When the vultures realize they will always be disappointed, they'll quit asking.
And yes, they are rude, and selfish to expect you to feed them. Like you said, they have incomes to buy their own food with. Your anger is probably from knowing you are being violated somehow, and I think you're right: they are adults and not your dependent children that you have to plan and buy extra for.
I find you can say almost anything to a person and it won't be taken as an insult if it's said matter of factly and not in anger. If they take your refusal to feed them as a reason to get mad, it's not your problem (except to live with it) and possibly a reasonable time to go to the boss about it. If you treat people in a friendly, upbeat way, they get tired of trying to convince you they are angry and they give up and become more friendly themselves because it's easier for them.
God bless you, dear one. Stand strong, and enjoy your lunch.
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/12/2008 4:13:29 AM
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solomonsprayer
Posts: 523
Joined: 8/1/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jaimestarcross
Don't feed complainers - it doesn't make them stop!
Put a sign up saying "I don't have snacks or food to share any more". --- any one asks any way just point to the sign!
If it's possible to eat somewhere else... do it.
The sign is an absolutely hilarious suggestion, but not one that I would use because of how it might come across to your co-workers. Your situation really does sound annoying and I too would be offended and frustrated if my co-workers constantly asked me for free food (I just find it to be very rude). On the other hand, I think keeping calm and finding a civil way to solve the problem is best in the long run. You want to maintain, as best as possible, a friendly working environment and relationship with your co-workers and also uphold your own dignity.
I'm wondering if there is a way you can tell them politely that you have limited food and that it is primarily for your own meal(s)?
Something like: "Yeah, I did have [so and so food item...], but only enough for my meal(s) today. I'm sorry." ...And without waiting for their response, you can simply move on with a polite smile and get back to work. ...That could work in letting them know the situation, while keeping it short, simple, and polite.
-solomonsprayer 
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/12/2008 4:43:46 AM
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ebony101
Posts: 893
Joined: 4/1/2007
From: the big blue marble
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
I would say, with an apologetic smile, "I'm afraid I only brought enough lunch for my own needs. Sorry." Then get busy doing something and turn away from them. Don't call it snacks because that indicates that it's not a need but an extra treat that you could possibly share.
When the vultures realize they will always be disappointed, they'll quit asking.
Yep, plain talk, bad manners. You've got to learn to say "no" and the above is such a nice way of saying it too.
_____________________________
'We're writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By the things that we do & the words that we say.'
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RE: Annoyed by Greedy Co-Workers - 8/16/2008 2:56:14 AM
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Annie64
Posts: 901
Joined: 6/4/2007
From: Indianapolis, IN
Status: offline
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When I started reading your post, I was for a minute afraid you might be MY co-worker, complaining about me.  It wasn't until you said that she comes to your desk and asks what you're eating all the time that I realized it wasn't me. 
I work at night, wish I weighed less, and I always bring enough food with me so I can graze all night since I'm sitting at a computer not doing much all night (it's the nature of my job--I have to be ready at all times, but times when there is something to do are infrequent, and never takes long). Sometimes, what I eat at work is most of what I eat in a 24-hour period, so it looks like I'm eating a lot. Another thing that made me think you were my coworker is that there are only 3 of us on third shift where I work--one man and two women. And your job doesn't sound extremely busy, either, if your co-workers have time to annoy you or eat your pound cake. But the other lady on third shift with me doesn't eat all night or complain about her weight (or have any reason to). And I don't beg my co-workers for their food--I bring plenty of my own and would even share if anyone asked. But I'd get a little annoyed, too, if people started asking me all the time and depending on me to provide snacks for everyone.
I sympathize with you, and I understand your frustration. But I hope you'll forgive me if I also have some empathy for your co-workers. I'm often hungry when I get to work, and if one of my co-workers made homemade pound cake and brought it in to share, I could easily eat several slices, too!
_____________________________
On Christ the solid rock I stand
ALL other ground is sinking sand.
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I try to act like I'm busy doing something else. Or if she sees anything in my hand that's edible, she asks me what is it...it very aggrevating. 
