My department managers decided to buy us lunch today as we have been overworked lately and see this as a good gesture.
When the managers went around to take the orders, a man that sits in the next isle over said he did not want the actual lunch but the monetary amount of what it would cost.
He went on to state "If I ordered a meal you would be paying for it, so giving me the amount of the lunch in money satisfies the same intention."
I don't know what to make of this. He actually does make a logical point & I think the manager is considering giving him the money.
Has anyone ever heard of this before? Is this normal?
2007-08-03 05:04:57 · 13 answers · asked by Billy Jack H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I've heard of it before and it is becoming increasngly normal
But it is still tacky, tacky, tacky and rude. If someone gives you a thank you gift (such as buying you lunch for all your hard work) you don't get to stipulate what it will be. (Your boss should just say 'Gee well if you don't want to eat with the rest of us . . . ")
Just because something is logical, it doesn't mean it's apropriate behavior.
2007-08-03 05:36:06 · answer #1 · answered by LX V 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's absurd. The company buying you lunch is a polite gesture, not a form of compensation. Therefore, there is no grounds for requesting the money, and it's terribly, terribly impolite and makes this employee look like a jerk.
It's kind of like, say, refusing a birthday present and then asking for the money instead.
2007-08-03 12:16:18 · answer #2 · answered by stmichaeldet 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've heard of it, but not in a business context. My pathetic older SIL does the same thing because she's money-hungry. When she doesn't want to go to a dinner, she asks her mom for the value of the meal in cash. How stupid.
But as for your co-worker, it's rude to ask for monetary value of the meal. He's selfish. Like the previous reply said, a lunch is a gift and he should accept it, not turn the offer into something for himself (by pocketing cash).
2007-08-03 12:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by linda 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No this is not normal - the managers should not give him the money unless that was part of the original deal. This person is not a team player, and if that wasn't already known, it should be now.
2007-08-03 12:13:09 · answer #4 · answered by Jack S 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Thats impolite, because he offered to buy him something to eat not to give him money. The manager was just trying to be nice, but the guy just wanted to get a little extra pocket money.
2007-08-03 12:32:45 · answer #5 · answered by whitehawk 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is NOT normal, nor is it professional. This guy is taking advantage of the generosity of the manager, and should not be allowed to have the money. I think it shows a real lack of character on his part.
2007-08-03 12:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by Eric W 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Such a cheap thing to do!
I liked the answer that said that the lunch was actually a GIFT, very much true... it's not a bonus or an overtime!
2007-08-03 12:19:51 · answer #7 · answered by Serendipity 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He sounds like a total anti-social jerk. His attitude and behavior towards your manager's generosity is completely out of line and rude.
2007-08-03 13:05:50 · answer #8 · answered by krzychk30 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was being very rude. I would have pointed out that if he were given money in lieu of luncheon, he would have had to report the cash as income on his taxes.
2007-08-03 12:16:52 · answer #9 · answered by jewel_mayhew 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's impolite. The lunch is a gift, not a form of compensation.
2007-08-03 12:12:38 · answer #10 · answered by Wolfithius 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋