I was just wondering if you think it is appropriate to take a helping of food lying open in the breakroom on the counter. It could be a cake (someone's birthday - and I would feel awkward having the cake anyway, since I don't even know the person whose b'day it is) or food that was ordered for a group, and then was left there. I would think the leftovers are for everyone, but I have always been hesitant to help myself, however hungry I was :-). What would you do?
2007-07-03 09:29:42 · 16 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
find out what the norm is for your workplace. if no one else takes it then maybe its not appropriate. if the other co-workers tell you about it then the norm is probably OK to take it.
2007-07-03 09:33:19 · answer #1 · answered by brk 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Around here, food left over from any kind of function is fair game for anyone.
Etiquette is that if you are not an invitee to the occasion where the food is served or presented, you have to wait until the invitees have taken what they want. Once they have finished (typically when the meeting at which the food was presented has dispersed), it's acceptable for any and all comers to take what they want. Just don't be greedy about it.
I work at a large aerospace defense contractor, and after thirty years here, it's my observation that a lot of the engineering geek types are "free food" connoisseurs. There are guys I work with who know that on days when customers are here for a drawing review, lunch will be catered, and that because customers are involved, it will be good food. They know right down to the minute when the left-overs will be put out for all comers. They also know that early morning meetings usually mean donuts, danish, or bagels; and that professional organizations meeting during lunch means pizza; and that during the holidays, people bring food in.
2007-07-03 10:10:14 · answer #2 · answered by Karin C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd leave it -- that's me though. Germ issues of course. You might have seen how long it was there and then feel safe about it. If it's somewhere you've worked for a while, you have some idea of what others expect. In some places, they label everything with markers, it's like kids. In large companies, it's different, it's like a requirement.
But here's the deal -- if it's open game, get yours before it's gone, lol. But I never like the idea of people stealing my food from the fridge -- I mean, they DO know it's not theirs, so they have no argument. But food left on a counter?
I wouldn't eat it, but that's me, and we're back where we started -- kinda dizzy here...
Glad I was able to help, lol....
2007-07-03 10:01:59 · answer #3 · answered by fitpro11 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never worked in such a big work place to have this problem. I would ask someone. Nobody available? I would think the leftovers were left there for others to eat. So long as you know the food wasn't left there overnight. I would probably eat some, if there wasn't anyone around to ask.
2007-07-03 09:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I can understand how you feel.If I were told to go on and help myself to a slice of cake from a birthday, I would. But I'd find that birthday person and wish them a happy birthday.But left overs that were paid for by a group of people ...I don't think I'd help myself to as someone may come back for it later on...and they paid for it.
2007-07-03 09:45:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you were not invited to the "event" or even know what the occasion was I would say no! if the food was ordered for a group that usually means everyone chipped in to pay for it. And they may come back later for "their" leftovers to take home. Unless someone specifically says to you, help yourself, then don't.
2007-07-03 09:37:36 · answer #6 · answered by shootingstars957 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If it was a company-sponsored event, then helping yourself is probably okay. If it was from a group of people that had a little get-together of their own & spent their own money on the food, then I would ask before helping yourself.
Asking to be sure it's okay is always appropriate
2007-07-03 09:33:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think it's perfectly fine for you to take food left in the break room on a counter or table. I've always operated under the assumption that if it's there and unmarked, then it's up for grabs. If somebody cares so much about who gets leftovers, they should put it away or put their names on it. Go for it!
2007-07-03 09:34:24 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Brown 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Eat it. I worked at Mervyn's and the often got food for the managers and then there was left overs they would put in the break room for the team members. Also, they would order cakes for birthday's and that is for everyone.
2007-07-03 09:34:18 · answer #9 · answered by charmedonecml 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Food that is in the breakroom is for everyone. Unless it's obviously someone's lunch and they just stepped away for a second, you should feel free to help yourself.
2007-07-03 09:42:16 · answer #10 · answered by leaptad 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋