I work in a office with about 20 other people and enjoy 1/2 a glass of Coke every 2 days or so. I don't mind sharing my drink as long as I'm asked. HOWEVER, I only get to drink 1/2 a cup from each 2l bottle I buy. My office is next to the kitchen and I can see who goes in and out. When I leave the office for the morning or afternoon My full 2l bottle is always taken, not even the empty bottle is left behind in the bin. I buy the 2l because I don't like the taste of the canned drink and 2l coke costs the same as 2 cans here. I am part owner of the company. I have no idea who is doing it but it is seriously pissing me off. How would you approach the situation?
2007-07-21 14:44:17 · 22 answers · asked by Odie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Several options:
Keep bottle in office and get a cup of ice as needed
Meet with employees and say 'All food with a name on it is private and not for public consumption' then put your name on the bottle (giving the benefit of the doubt that the employee doing this is thinking that it is communal soda or at least a chance to save face and pretend he didn't know)
Put a note on the fridge. "If you want my coke, come ask me."
And at a certain point it becomes practical joke time. Nothing too cruel, I would just pour out the coke and replace it with flat diet cola. That'll get their attention.
2007-07-21 15:47:11 · answer #1 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel! I left my lunch box open on the table, intending to come back and finnish it. [I have a job that when a customer wants something, lunch is over]. My dessert was gone when I came back to eat it. A co-worker informed me that since I left the box on the table, it was fair game for anyone to eat! And I have had things stolen, thrown away, and once my lunch was removed from the refrig and left out on the table for hours.
Try getting a lunch box that will hold your sodas. Put your name on it, and put that in the refrig. I know it means getting the smaller bottles, and it costs more, but it might be cheaper than losing the rest of the 2L bottle.
If you are the part owner, put up a nicely worded, professional looking sign. You can be to the point, and say something about not taking other's belongings, or be subtle, and say that all items in the refrig must have the person's name and the date on it.
Someone has an entitlement problem, and thinks an open 2L bottle of soda means help yourself to it. And unless your name is on it, it will be.
And one of LXV's ideas I really liked. Let the soda go flat, and let the culprit enjoy.
2007-07-22 02:58:40 · answer #2 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send a memo indicating that it is Your personal drink. After that I would place my name on it. It is nothing to be embarassed or intimidated to do. Since you are part owner, someone will get the hint. Or maybe you should drink right out of the bottle and let people see you doing it. Maybe they will stop taking your beverage. Personally, sharing is not my thing. I work to hard to support everyone else. I understand if people ask for it, but one person has ruined it for everyone else, like usual.
2007-07-21 21:49:54 · answer #3 · answered by vixxen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is probably known that it is yours, and being that you are part owner of the company, bring it up to the other co-owners, and send everyone a memo stating if theft around the office does not cease, matters will be taken, such as removal of the rifrigerator.
Should thieves be working at your office/company? Are they getting away with more stuff that you do not know about?
It's drastic measures but someone needs to show them who is the owner and who is in control.
2007-07-21 21:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by Marissa C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A friend of mine did this with the same problem and an unopened can of Coke. Maybe you can adapt it to your situation.
He ground some poison ivy leaves into a sort of paste, and rubbed them all over the lid (with rubber gloves of course). Then left it in the office fridge and the fun began (and the culprit was exposed).
2007-07-22 02:44:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next time, spike it with some laxative and get a little Montezuma's Revenge!
The dirty thief will learn their lesson after a dose of 'the squirts'. And try buying a smaller bottle size so that if it's taken, you're not losing as much.
Also, you could put something gross like vaseline on the bottle so that the thief doesn't know WHAT they put thier hands on!
2007-07-22 22:51:41 · answer #6 · answered by Tough Love 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put your name on the bottle in big letters
put a plastic baggy over the top with a rubber band
put a paper bag over the top requesting others to "do not drink" belongs to Jane Doe.
If it continues, bring up the issue at the next employee meeting.
2007-07-21 21:49:22 · answer #7 · answered by JB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is outrageous. I hate when people do stuff like that. Why don't you at least you put your name on it see if this helps? It really won't stop an dishonest person but maybe it may put them on a guilt trip. Put a note up saying, "To whomever stole my coke (on a daily basis), I hope you have enjoyed them. I won't be bringing in any more refreshments for you."
Good luck.
2007-07-21 22:13:42 · answer #8 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a mini fridge for you office. There problem solved because i think you can see who comes in your office and takes a Coke easier than someone coming in the kitchen and taking one.
2007-07-21 21:53:43 · answer #9 · answered by xoLoveMaexo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some laxative in it and see which employee is in the bathroom for the rest of the day. Alternatively a hidden camera could identify the thief.
2007-07-22 19:08:34 · answer #10 · answered by Sleep deprived 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋