Would it be rude to request natural peanut butter at work?

Question

The secretary keeps bread and peanut butter in the cupboards for us (in case we can't get away for lunch) but she always buys the bad stuff full of hydrogenated oils and extra sugar and salt. I like the 100% natural stuff better. Should I say something?

She doesn't pay for it herself - nor is it because she's nice. It's part of her job to keep food and coffee stocked.

Answer 1

You could very well bring your own, show the secretary, and ask her if she'd consider stocking that instead, as it has no saturated fat, no artificial ingredients, and tastes better.

Since the company is paying for it, hopefully it won't be too much of a problem.

Answer 2

Edited following on from your explanation re the secretary's role:

OK, that does make a BIG difference. If it is part of the secretary's job to keep food stocked, then there is no need for you to hold back.

Of course it is not rude to request your preferred food if it is supplied by your firm as a staff amenity.

Ask away and if there is an issue, you can take it up with the management.

Cheers! :-)

~*~*~*~

One way you could do it is when you notice the jar is getting towards the end, bring a jar of your preferred brand and say to her "Thank you for being so thoughtful always having this for us, I thought I'd bring a jar of this brand I like for you to try next time", or something similar.

Some people just prefer the taste of the 'bad stuff', but maybe she's never tried the natural kind! You may find others prefer it. If they don't, and want to go back to the other kind, you can always bring a jar of your own in and leave it in the cupboard for anyone to share (as you share the bread).

Cheers :-)

Answer 3

Feel free to share your opinions with the secretary, but it would be bad form to ask her to switch or bring in another type of peanut butter. Your better option is to buy some yourself and bring it in to share. Chances are, others may join you in your opinion and if enough join in, the secretary will change on her own.

Answer 4

I think it would be a little rude; she's doing this as a favor to everybody else, and the money is coming out of her own pocket.
Kind of goes with the saying "beggars can't be choosers". And besides that, your coworkers may not like the taste of the natural stuff.
I don't see why you can't buy it yourself if you really don't like the cheap stuff.

Answer 5

I think it sounds a little high maitenance. Buy your favourite peanut butter yourself if you don't mind sharing it with other workers. Otherwise, you can just bring your own sandwhich.

Answer 6

Bring your own and put your name on it.
If someone is giving a gift (like buying peanut butter for you) you don't get to dictate what it will be. (Besides I like the kind with extra sugar and salt)

Answer 7

I think you should buy a jar of the natural peanut butter and just put your name on it instead of insisting she buy it.

Answer 8

I wouldn't ask. I would just bring in the kind of peanut butter that I preferred, and keep it in my desk drawer. I don't need to feed the whole office, and the office doesn't need to cater to my whims either.

Answer 9

Why not buy your own natural peanut butter and keep it for yourself at work?

Answer 10

No. She doesn't have to provide lunch for anyone but herself, she's doing it as a courtesy to you and your coworkers. Therefore, you never look a gift horse in the mouth. If you have a specific preference, bring it yourself.