Overheard at Work

[trailrated]

Company provided lunch for everyone today, all of the drivers were told that yesterday so they wouldn't have to pack a lunch if they usually do. Needless to say one stupid employee that has been mentioned on this thread many times before was spotted on the gps system stopped at Togo's.

Guy spent $12 on a sandwich, chips, and a drink and then got back to the office where food was waiting... sandwiches, chips, and drinks from Togo's.

[cripzychiken]

Company provided lunch for everyone today, all of the drivers were told that yesterday so they wouldn't have to pack a lunch if they usually do. Needless to say one stupid employee that has been mentioned on this thread many times before was spotted on the gps system stopped at Togo's.

Guy spent $12 on a sandwich, chips, and a drink and then got back to the office where food was waiting... sandwiches, chips, and drinks from Togo's.

There's a guy at my work that does this every time - but on purpose.  If work brings in BBQ, he'll leave and go get the same thing but not have to 'deal with the rest of the workers'.  This guy is 65+ and still basically entry level, no one seems to like him for some reason.

edit- I spell not so well

[Sam E]

One thing about going out for lunches on Fridays, it may be an expense worth it. Occasionally I'll eat out even though I don't want to because the socializing and networking helps.

+1000

The whole point of an internship is to get a (better) job when you graduate.  You don't want to be labeled the "weird loner".  Every company loves the "team player" buzzword when they go to hire people, and I guarantee the young engineers you're working with will be asked at the end of the summer which interns are potential hires.  Who do you think they are going to recommend, assuming all of the interns are equally qualified?  Spend the $10 a week on the group lunch and consider it an investment in your future.  Even if this place doesn't pan out long term, these other young engineers will have friends at other places looking for entry level employees.

This.

And remember, it isn't a permanent thing. When you get a full time gig, every time for the first month or so that someone asks if you want to go to lunch, join them. Especially if they're a higher level than you. After a month, pull back on that to about once a month, or whatever you deem is the correct amount.

A trick that's worked for me is "Oh, I don't do Mexican, (Or whatever the most expensive place is) my stomach always reacts poorly to it let me know when you hit that Greek place (Or whatever the cheap place is), I just love it!" Using this technique, you are snubbing the restaurant, not the invitee and you are only going to the cheapest places. I have one boss who I have only ever seen join the guys for lunch at Subway - everywhere else "takes too long for his packed schedule."

"Casa Bonita? - I can't spend the whole afternoon on the can"......problem solved

I'm going to disagree on this. If you don't like a place or can't tolerate it, that's one thing, but I wouldn't say that you can't stomach Mexican. One lie leads to another and it's just too hard for me to keep up with them. You don't want to say that you can't handle Mexican and then a week later your supervisor sees you at a Mexican restaurant.

Also, no one likes that person that shoots down most places. If you find that people around you are sighing and saying, "Fine, where do you want to go," because you've shot down the places they've recommended, you can lose friends that way, or at least look bad to your colleagues.

My solution for that is to always pack a lunch or just be willing to go out to my own place. It works well for me. The reason is that I'm just a particularly picky eater, but I think the situation still applies. Whenever people are talking about where to go out to lunch, they'll ask if I want to go; if I don't want to go, I just tell them thanks for the offer but I brought lunch, but if I do want to go I'll just throw my lunch in the fridge for the next day. There are some places where my coworkers know I'll never go, so they'll mention it as a courtesy so I know what they're doing but they don't expect me to join.

I agree that if you try to force everyone to go where you want to go every time you'll come off as annoying and no one will invite you, but in my experience no one is sour over just declining the invitation and doing your own thing. Just be polite, thank them for the invitation, and ask them to keep you in the loop in the future with the clause that you just might not go with them every time.

[mm1970]

One thing about going out for lunches on Fridays, it may be an expense worth it. Occasionally I'll eat out even though I don't want to because the socializing and networking helps.

+1000

The whole point of an internship is to get a (better) job when you graduate.  You don't want to be labeled the "weird loner".  Every company loves the "team player" buzzword when they go to hire people, and I guarantee the young engineers you're working with will be asked at the end of the summer which interns are potential hires.  Who do you think they are going to recommend, assuming all of the interns are equally qualified?  Spend the $10 a week on the group lunch and consider it an investment in your future.  Even if this place doesn't pan out long term, these other young engineers will have friends at other places looking for entry level employees.

This.

And remember, it isn't a permanent thing. When you get a full time gig, every time for the first month or so that someone asks if you want to go to lunch, join them. Especially if they're a higher level than you. After a month, pull back on that to about once a month, or whatever you deem is the correct amount.

A trick that's worked for me is "Oh, I don't do Mexican, (Or whatever the most expensive place is) my stomach always reacts poorly to it let me know when you hit that Greek place (Or whatever the cheap place is), I just love it!" Using this technique, you are snubbing the restaurant, not the invitee and you are only going to the cheapest places. I have one boss who I have only ever seen join the guys for lunch at Subway - everywhere else "takes too long for his packed schedule."

"Casa Bonita? - I can't spend the whole afternoon on the can"......problem solved

I'm going to disagree on this. If you don't like a place or can't tolerate it, that's one thing, but I wouldn't say that you can't stomach Mexican. One lie leads to another and it's just too hard for me to keep up with them. You don't want to say that you can't handle Mexican and then a week later your supervisor sees you at a Mexican restaurant.

Also, no one likes that person that shoots down most places. If you find that people around you are sighing and saying, "Fine, where do you want to go," because you've shot down the places they've recommended, you can lose friends that way, or at least look bad to your colleagues.

My solution for that is to always pack a lunch or just be willing to go out to my own place. It works well for me. The reason is that I'm just a particularly picky eater, but I think the situation still applies. Whenever people are talking about where to go out to lunch, they'll ask if I want to go; if I don't want to go, I just tell them thanks for the offer but I brought lunch, but if I do want to go I'll just throw my lunch in the fridge for the next day. There are some places where my coworkers know I'll never go, so they'll mention it as a courtesy so I know what they're doing but they don't expect me to join.

I agree that if you try to force everyone to go where you want to go every time you'll come off as annoying and no one will invite you, but in my experience no one is sour over just declining the invitation and doing your own thing. Just be polite, thank them for the invitation, and ask them to keep you in the loop in the future with the clause that you just might not go with them every time.

I remember at my old company, my very sweet coworkers decided to take me to lunch for my birthday.

But the didn't let me pick the place.

I still remember, because they picked Chili's, which doesn't have a whole lot of healthy foods.

This was the year I turned 32, and I'd just lost over 50 pounds, mostly by NEVER EATING OUT.

[benjenn]

So yesterday my office had a "going away" lunch for me since next week is my last week.  One of our members from another town in the state brought a bunch of fish that he had caught and did a big fish fry for everyone.  I'm vegan.

And this is one of the reasons I'm really, really glad to be leaving.

[MgoSam]

Company provided lunch for everyone today, all of the drivers were told that yesterday so they wouldn't have to pack a lunch if they usually do. Needless to say one stupid employee that has been mentioned on this thread many times before was spotted on the gps system stopped at Togo's.

Guy spent $12 on a sandwich, chips, and a drink and then got back to the office where food was waiting... sandwiches, chips, and drinks from Togo's.

There's a guy at my work that does this every time - but on purpose.  If work brings in BBQ, he'll leave and go get the same thing but not have to 'deal with the rest of the workers'.  This guy is 65+ and still basically entry level, no one seems to like him for some reason.

edit- I spell not so well

Gee, I wonder why people don't like him.

[I'm a red panda]

So yesterday my office had a "going away" lunch for me since next week is my last week.  One of our members from another town in the state brought a bunch of fish that he had caught and did a big fish fry for everyone.  I'm vegan.

And this is one of the reasons I'm really, really glad to be leaving.

My first company did that for my "going away" lunch. We were supposed to all go out (on expense) to celebrate, but we were really busy, so my final lunch ended up being a working lunch, and the boss ordered in.  Ham sandwiches.

I don't eat pork.

[klystomane]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

[MgoSam]

So yesterday my office had a "going away" lunch for me since next week is my last week.  One of our members from another town in the state brought a bunch of fish that he had caught and did a big fish fry for everyone.  I'm vegan.

And this is one of the reasons I'm really, really glad to be leaving.

My first company did that for my "going away" lunch. We were supposed to all go out (on expense) to celebrate, but we were really busy, so my final lunch ended up being a working lunch, and the boss ordered in.  Ham sandwiches.

I don't eat pork.

In both of your cases, did they do that deliberately or was it an innocent mistake?

[MgoSam]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

I would advise that you grow up.

[dragoncar]

One thing about going out for lunches on Fridays, it may be an expense worth it. Occasionally I'll eat out even though I don't want to because the socializing and networking helps.

+1000

The whole point of an internship is to get a (better) job when you graduate.  You don't want to be labeled the "weird loner".  Every company loves the "team player" buzzword when they go to hire people, and I guarantee the young engineers you're working with will be asked at the end of the summer which interns are potential hires.  Who do you think they are going to recommend, assuming all of the interns are equally qualified?  Spend the $10 a week on the group lunch and consider it an investment in your future.  Even if this place doesn't pan out long term, these other young engineers will have friends at other places looking for entry level employees.

This.

And remember, it isn't a permanent thing. When you get a full time gig, every time for the first month or so that someone asks if you want to go to lunch, join them. Especially if they're a higher level than you. After a month, pull back on that to about once a month, or whatever you deem is the correct amount.

A trick that's worked for me is "Oh, I don't do Mexican, (Or whatever the most expensive place is) my stomach always reacts poorly to it let me know when you hit that Greek place (Or whatever the cheap place is), I just love it!" Using this technique, you are snubbing the restaurant, not the invitee and you are only going to the cheapest places. I have one boss who I have only ever seen join the guys for lunch at Subway - everywhere else "takes too long for his packed schedule."

"Casa Bonita? - I can't spend the whole afternoon on the can"......problem solved

I'm going to disagree on this. If you don't like a place or can't tolerate it, that's one thing, but I wouldn't say that you can't stomach Mexican. One lie leads to another and it's just too hard for me to keep up with them. You don't want to say that you can't handle Mexican and then a week later your supervisor sees you at a Mexican restaurant.

Also, no one likes that person that shoots down most places. If you find that people around you are sighing and saying, "Fine, where do you want to go," because you've shot down the places they've recommended, you can lose friends that way, or at least look bad to your colleagues.

My solution for that is to always pack a lunch or just be willing to go out to my own place. It works well for me. The reason is that I'm just a particularly picky eater, but I think the situation still applies. Whenever people are talking about where to go out to lunch, they'll ask if I want to go; if I don't want to go, I just tell them thanks for the offer but I brought lunch, but if I do want to go I'll just throw my lunch in the fridge for the next day. There are some places where my coworkers know I'll never go, so they'll mention it as a courtesy so I know what they're doing but they don't expect me to join.

I agree that if you try to force everyone to go where you want to go every time you'll come off as annoying and no one will invite you, but in my experience no one is sour over just declining the invitation and doing your own thing. Just be polite, thank them for the invitation, and ask them to keep you in the loop in the future with the clause that you just might not go with them every time.

I remember at my old company, my very sweet coworkers decided to take me to lunch for my birthday.

But the didn't let me pick the place.

I still remember, because they picked Chili's, which doesn't have a whole lot of healthy foods.

This was the year I turned 32, and I'd just lost over 50 pounds, mostly by NEVER EATING OUT.

Stolen from elsewhere, but... on your 32nd bday...

[Pylon]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

In response to the complaint about vegans, yes there are millions of starving people in the world and if more people ate fewer animal products, fewer crops would go to feeding animals for the meat and dairy industries, so there would be enough food for everyone in the world. 

[I'm a red panda]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

Why would I eat it?  Eating it makes me sick. I'm not subjecting myself to that. Not eating it didn't make me starve. It just meant I went a few extra hours without a meal. 

The point was, this was a party IN MY HONOR, with the provided food being something I don't eat.  That's rude.

I didn't whine at the time, I'm not a baby, I just didn't eat. But it sure was a hella thoughtless for a "party".  She made a banner for me though :)

In both of your cases, did they do that deliberately or was it an innocent mistake?

I think it was a forgetful mistake. She knew I didn't eat pork, as it had always been worked around at other meetings- in fact, this is the first time I can remember there not being choice offered (as lots of people have food restrictions due to religion, allergies, or personal preference). My guess is that it was just very short notice to order food, so she did what was easy.  I don't think it was meant as a slight (though I'm sure you can guess how excited/motivated I was to participate in a "working lunch" on my last day :)  I don't get paid overtime, so it was just extra hours and no meal out at my favorite Mexican restaurant. )

[klystomane]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

In response to the complaint about vegans, yes there are millions of starving people in the world and if more people ate fewer animal products, fewer crops would go to feeding animals for the meat and dairy industries, so there would be enough food for everyone in the world.

All I'm trying to say is, why can't you guys look at the bright side of things? Some people at work are offering you a free meal, and although it may not be what you like/prefer, at least appreciate that they tried and the fact that you're getting to eat, instead of complaining about how they got it wrong.

I have literally seen people fight each other over food scraps...just be grateful for what you have.

[mm1970]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

I can't speak for vegans, because I'm not one.

I can speak, however, for having struggled with my weight almost my entire life, spending a very long 6 months counting every calorie (well, points in WW), to lose over 50 pounds.

This involved treating my meal plans like a part time job, never drinking alcohol, never eating out.  It was a HUGE struggle HUGE.

And I can understand that people who have never struggled may not understand it (most of my coworkers were skinny).

Do you take an alcoholic out for a drink on their birthday?

"It's your birthday, treat yourself."  Except:
It's my birthday
Then it's my kids' birthdays
then it's my anniversary
then it's a work lunch
then it's mom's night out
then it's a well-deserved date night
then it's a party at a friend's house
then it's vacation
then it's a friend's birthday
then it's a going away party
then it's lunch out with a friend who is in town
then it's a hot day, and friends are visiting, and there is ice cream

There are quite literally "special occasions" twice a week sometimes.  At least 5-6 a month.

If I ate to be polite "just effing eat it", I'd easily weigh 30+ pounds more.  It's a slippery slope.
So suck it.

[I'm a red panda]

All I'm trying to say is, why can't you guys look at the bright side of things? Some people at work are offering you a free meal, and although it may not be what you like/prefer, at least appreciate that they tried and the fact that you're getting to eat, instead of complaining about how they got it wrong.

I have literally seen people fight each other over food scraps...just be grateful for what you have.

I'm not seeing the bright side of a paid office outing being canceled in favor of a work through lunch meeting with food I don't eat, disguised as a party for me.

If someone just brought in ham sandwiches on a random occasion and said "free food in the breakroom!" - well, it wouldn't do anything positive for me; but I certainly wouldn't see it as a slight against me in the same way either.

I am incredibly grateful I have the ability to feed myself and my family on a daily basis. That is completely separate issue. I don't need to be grateful for my former boss for basically doing something to make life easier for herself.

[mtn]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

Allergies definitely count. Intolerances to gluten specifically do not count, because they don't exist, and they're dangerous to real celiacs.

[HydroJim]

Supervisor and another coworker were talking about taxes, finances, etc. Both are pretty old looking to me. I know my supervisor is within a couple years of retiring. He has been with the company since at least 1980. I don't know for sure. A lot of older people here strike me as frugal but they're definitely not mustachian. Cable and other things are necessities for them and they are cool with working until retirement age. Either way, people around here at least contribute to their 401ks.

Supervisor: With the 401k that company offers, everyone here should be millionaires by the time they retire.
Coworker 2: Not everyone has the same amount of money to contribute to their 401k. Everyone has different expenses.

I've been tempted to chime in on these financial talks lately but nobody really includes the intern in these things and I don't want to reveal my ways.

[klystomane]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

Are you asking me if I believe that we should eat anything and everything, even if it could potentially kill us?

(By the way, you don't have to answer it, it's a rhetorical question).

[Hall11235]

Not really overheard at work but, I hate being the youngest at the company where I work. Anytime I try to convince others to not be so facepunch worthy, I get laughed at and people assume that, because I'm unmarried and have no children, I cannot understand how expensive life TRULY is.
Example:
CW: My (6 year old) daugter wants a pool. City law requires a 4 foot fence around my yard before we can build a pool. Building a fence is going to be super pricey.
Me: I would just get a small pool that fits in under the requirements of the law.
CW: I already found the pool I want. I am just looking up fencing prices.
Me: I would just pass on the pool for now, there's no way its worth it.
CW But she wants one. (As he huffs off with a disgusted look on his face, baffled at my lack of understanding how finances work when you have a child)

This coworker both vapes and smokes regular cigarettes, and drives a NEW Dodge SUV/Minvan combo (they only have one daughter).

[zephyr911]

Not really overheard at work but, I hate being the youngest at the company where I work. Anytime I try to convince others to not be so facepunch worthy, I get laughed at and people assume that, because I'm unmarried and have no children, I cannot understand how expensive life TRULY is.
Example:
CW: My (6 year old) daugter wants a pool. City law requires a 4 foot fence around my yard before we can build a pool. Building a fence is going to be super pricey.
Me: I would just get a small pool that fits in under the requirements of the law.
CW: I already found the pool I want. I am just looking up fencing prices.
Me: I would just pass on the pool for now, there's no way its worth it.
CW But she wants one. (As he huffs off with a disgusted look on his face, baffled at my lack of understanding how finances work when you have a child)

This coworker both vapes and smokes regular cigarettes, and drives a NEW Dodge SUV/Minvan combo (they only have one daughter).

Hahahahaha
My business partner has a $50K pool financed by a loan from his wife's TSP account. I have an 18-foot circular blowup pool that I got for free (a friend literally took it off the curb from someone who was moving). I think I actually have more fun with mine.

[dragoncar]

Not really overheard at work but, I hate being the youngest at the company where I work. Anytime I try to convince others to not be so facepunch worthy, I get laughed at and people assume that, because I'm unmarried and have no children, I cannot understand how expensive life TRULY is.
Example:
CW: My (6 year old) daugter wants a pool. City law requires a 4 foot fence around my yard before we can build a pool. Building a fence is going to be super pricey.
Me: I would just get a small pool that fits in under the requirements of the law.
CW: I already found the pool I want. I am just looking up fencing prices.
Me: I would just pass on the pool for now, there's no way its worth it.
CW But she wants one. (As he huffs off with a disgusted look on his face, baffled at my lack of understanding how finances work when you have a child)

This coworker both vapes and smokes regular cigarettes, and drives a NEW Dodge SUV/Minvan combo (they only have one daughter).

Hahahahaha
My business partner has a $50K pool financed by a loan from his wife's TSP account. I have an 18-foot circular blowup pool that I got for free (a friend literally took it off the curb from someone who was moving). I think I actually have more fun with mine.

Wow... 50k is a pretty expensive pool, too. 

[Hall11235]

It blows my mind why people would want a pool. I lived in a house where we had an in-ground pool for about 15 years (we bought it foreclosed). God bless my father. He did all the maintenance himself. It took so much time and money to upkeep. What a waste. There is literally a beach 10 minutes drive in Mass where they live. Not a "nasty lake beach" but the ocean beach. I far prefer lakes, but maybe that's because I grew up in Minnesota.

[cripzychiken]

Not really overheard at work but, I hate being the youngest at the company where I work. Anytime I try to convince others to not be so facepunch worthy, I get laughed at and people assume that, because I'm unmarried and have no children, I cannot understand how expensive life TRULY is.
Example:
CW: My (6 year old) daugter wants a pool. City law requires a 4 foot fence around my yard before we can build a pool. Building a fence is going to be super pricey.
Me: I would just get a small pool that fits in under the requirements of the law.
CW: I already found the pool I want. I am just looking up fencing prices.
Me: I would just pass on the pool for now, there's no way its worth it.
CW But she wants one. (As he huffs off with a disgusted look on his face, baffled at my lack of understanding how finances work when you have a child)

This coworker both vapes and smokes regular cigarettes, and drives a NEW Dodge SUV/Minvan combo (they only have one daughter).

I like how the 4ft fence is $$, but the pool, I guess, is free.  But, obviously, since you don't have it kid, you don't realize that.  /s

[zephyr911]

Wow... 50k is a pretty expensive pool, too.

It's a sweet-ass pool with all this custom rock work and shit. The sad thing is the TSP financing... she truly hates her job and would love to quit yesterday. This added years to the timeline for that ever happening.

It blows my mind why people would want a pool. I lived in a house where we had an in-ground pool for about 15 years (we bought it foreclosed). God bless my father. He did all the maintenance himself. It took so much time and money to upkeep. What a waste. There is literally a beach 10 minutes drive in Mass where they live. Not a "nasty lake beach" but the ocean beach. I far prefer lakes, but maybe that's because I grew up in Minnesota.

I always said I'd never do it... maintenance is a bitch, liability, etc. My glorified kiddie pool is almost too much. But I love skipping my morning shower and just splashing around in it after walking my dogs, and when it's 100 degrees out, there's nothing better than coming home, knocking out some yardwork, then grabbing a beer and floating in my lounge tube.
I'd never want my own in-ground pool, but I love having the use of one. I grew up swimming competitively and it's still one of my favorite workouts. We still have access to the community pool by the townhouse we rented out last year, and I stop in there to do laps (just went this morning) or just hang out. It'll do until I can get back to the ocean.

[mm1970]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

Allergies definitely count. Intolerances to gluten specifically do not count, because they don't exist, and they're dangerous to real celiacs.

Huh, I'll have to tell my three friends that.  Who aren't celiac, but have major reactions to gluten, like doubled-over stomach pain.  Must be in their head.

[Hall11235]

I always said I'd never do it... maintenance is a bitch, liability, etc. My glorified kiddie pool is almost too much. But I love skipping my morning shower and just splashing around in it after walking my dogs, and when it's 100 degrees out, there's nothing better than coming home, knocking out some yardwork, then grabbing a beer and floating in my lounge tube.
I'd never want my own in-ground pool, but I love having the use of one. I grew up swimming competitively and it's still one of my favorite workouts. We still have access to the community pool by the townhouse we rented out last year, and I stop in there to do laps (just went this morning) or just hang out. It'll do until I can get back to the ocean.

+1,000

Not really overheard at work but, I hate being the youngest at the company where I work. Anytime I try to convince others to not be so facepunch worthy, I get laughed at and people assume that, because I'm unmarried and have no children, I cannot understand how expensive life TRULY is.

Additional family members are expensive in this unpredictable way that gets harder to handle as you add more people if you're poor at money management. In any given year, you probably experience a couple random Expensive Events, whether it's needing a bunch of dental work, or a random pricey car repair, or suddenly getting sick and needing some unpaid time off.

As you add more people to your family, the odds of a Random Expensive Thing happening increase. Your kid accidentally throws out their expensive retainer. Your spouse needs a root canal. Your car gets hit by a deer and insurance doesn't fully cover the cost of the repair. Your child needs speech therapy and you live in east bumblefuck nowhere and need to put a ton of miles on the car twice a week to get there. Your furnace breaks down. Your baby needs hideously expensive baby formula because they can't tolerate anything else. Your child is so severely unable to fit in to public school that you need to seriously consider private school. Your spouse needs an expensive tool to do his job and his last one just broke and you need to replace it right now. All of these have happened to either me or my parents at one time or another. We sort of just assume that a few of the moving parts in our family are going to fail in a given year and save accordingly, but I get the impression a lot of people don't.

And this I understand. Hence the emergency fund. Hence why maybe they don't need a pool or a fence. Why would you let your 6 year old decide things like that. Its mostly the condescension that irks me.

For the record, one of my most scarring events as a child is when I dropped my retainer in the school garbage on Taco day. When I called my mother, she told me I had to dig it out or I wouldn't have a retainer. So, I asked the janitor to bring me to the garbage after lunch and I rooted around in the salsa, black olives, chocolate milk, rice slurry until I found it, way at the bottom. To this day, black olives make me want to hurl.

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

Allergies definitely count. Intolerances to gluten specifically do not count, because they don't exist, and they're dangerous to real celiacs.

Huh, I'll have to tell my three friends that.  Who aren't celiac, but have major reactions to gluten, like doubled-over stomach pain.  Must be in their head.

+1. If I consume gluten, even on accident, I call my boss and tell him I won't be at work the next day. Any bathroom I use must be walled-off forever more do to potential radioactive contamination. Not only that, but I get the worst migraines and stomach pains I've ever had.

This is, of course, a lie. Gluten intolerance is completely fake. ;)

[Zaga]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

Allergies definitely count. Intolerances to gluten specifically do not count, because they don't exist, and they're dangerous to real celiacs.

Huh, I'll have to tell my three friends that.  Who aren't celiac, but have major reactions to gluten, like doubled-over stomach pain.  Must be in their head.

I thought that "real" celiacs loved people who eat gluten free.  Because of the gluten free fad it's much easier to find gluten free products in supermarkets.

[mtn]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

What about allergies to foods, or gluten intolerances, do those count too?

Allergies definitely count. Intolerances to gluten specifically do not count, because they don't exist, and they're dangerous to real celiacs.

Huh, I'll have to tell my three friends that.  Who aren't celiac, but have major reactions to gluten, like doubled-over stomach pain.  Must be in their head.

I thought that "real" celiacs loved people who eat gluten free.  Because of the gluten free fad it's much easier to find gluten free products in supermarkets.

That part is true. But the part that hurts is restaurants will advertise "Gluten Free" and it will be 99% gluten free. Most of it isn't. But a celiac will go in there and find it to definitely not be gluten free. Most so called gluten intolerants wouldn't even notice, because it is so little.

And yeah, gluten intolerance doesn't exist. Or rather it is a false-negative where they're missing the real diagnosis of Celiac, IBS, IBD, Chrohns, Colitis, etc. Also, there is the factor that your body no longer recognizes it after being off of it for so long that it treats it as a toxin. Same thing happens with meat with some vegetarians, or spicy peppers with people who don't eat them, etc.

I guess I'm arguing semantics here, but doesn't really matter. If you're happy not eating gluten, continue to not eat it. FWIW, I'm currently gluten free other than beer, but not because of the gluten, just because of everything that it eliminates.

[Hall11235]

As someone who actually can't eat gluten, it bothers me when people talk about they have gone "GF" but still drink copious amounts of beer. It also bothers me when people are whiny about it. If you have a death-level reaction to gluten, I would be a hardass about it. But otherwise, if bread touches your food. please STFU, ESPECIALLY if you suffer no adverse effects from gluten consumption. Plus when others bitch about gluten issues yet still orders a beer, it may give the wrong impression to waitstaff about the seriousness of gluten contamination for those of us who suffer from an actual intolerance.

[Sibley]

One thing about going out for lunches on Fridays, it may be an expense worth it. Occasionally I'll eat out even though I don't want to because the socializing and networking helps.

+1000

The whole point of an internship is to get a (better) job when you graduate.  You don't want to be labeled the "weird loner".  Every company loves the "team player" buzzword when they go to hire people, and I guarantee the young engineers you're working with will be asked at the end of the summer which interns are potential hires.  Who do you think they are going to recommend, assuming all of the interns are equally qualified?  Spend the $10 a week on the group lunch and consider it an investment in your future.  Even if this place doesn't pan out long term, these other young engineers will have friends at other places looking for entry level employees.

This.

And remember, it isn't a permanent thing. When you get a full time gig, every time for the first month or so that someone asks if you want to go to lunch, join them. Especially if they're a higher level than you. After a month, pull back on that to about once a month, or whatever you deem is the correct amount.

A trick that's worked for me is "Oh, I don't do Mexican, (Or whatever the most expensive place is) my stomach always reacts poorly to it let me know when you hit that Greek place (Or whatever the cheap place is), I just love it!" Using this technique, you are snubbing the restaurant, not the invitee and you are only going to the cheapest places. I have one boss who I have only ever seen join the guys for lunch at Subway - everywhere else "takes too long for his packed schedule."

"Casa Bonita? - I can't spend the whole afternoon on the can"......problem solved

I'm going to disagree on this. If you don't like a place or can't tolerate it, that's one thing, but I wouldn't say that you can't stomach Mexican. One lie leads to another and it's just too hard for me to keep up with them. You don't want to say that you can't handle Mexican and then a week later your supervisor sees you at a Mexican restaurant.

Also, no one likes that person that shoots down most places. If you find that people around you are sighing and saying, "Fine, where do you want to go," because you've shot down the places they've recommended, you can lose friends that way, or at least look bad to your colleagues.

My solution for that is to always pack a lunch or just be willing to go out to my own place. It works well for me. The reason is that I'm just a particularly picky eater, but I think the situation still applies. Whenever people are talking about where to go out to lunch, they'll ask if I want to go; if I don't want to go, I just tell them thanks for the offer but I brought lunch, but if I do want to go I'll just throw my lunch in the fridge for the next day. There are some places where my coworkers know I'll never go, so they'll mention it as a courtesy so I know what they're doing but they don't expect me to join.

I agree that if you try to force everyone to go where you want to go every time you'll come off as annoying and no one will invite you, but in my experience no one is sour over just declining the invitation and doing your own thing. Just be polite, thank them for the invitation, and ask them to keep you in the loop in the future with the clause that you just might not go with them every time.

I've actually taken my packed lunch to the restaurant and eaten it there on occasion.

[mtn]

As someone who actually can't eat gluten, it bothers me when people talk about they have gone "GF" but still drink copious amounts of beer. It also bothers me when people are whiny about it. If you have a death-level reaction to gluten, I would be a hardass about it. But otherwise, if bread touches your food. please STFU, ESPECIALLY if you suffer no adverse effects from gluten consumption. Plus when others bitch about gluten issues yet still orders a beer, it may give the wrong impression to waitstaff about the seriousness of gluten contamination for those of us who suffer from an actual intolerance.

This, exactly.

[dragoncar]

I loVe pools and need a way to convince my neighbors who have them to lete use theirs (there are three adjacent lots and one across the street is actually installing one now in The middle of the CA drought *facepalm*).  Problem is I'm not very friendly

[Hall11235]

Offer to pay? I would let you use my pool all you goddamn want (if I had one) if you gave me 40 bucks for the season that its open.

[nobody123]

It blows my mind why people would want a pool. I lived in a house where we had an in-ground pool for about 15 years (we bought it foreclosed). God bless my father. He did all the maintenance himself. It took so much time and money to upkeep. What a waste. There is literally a beach 10 minutes drive in Mass where they live. Not a "nasty lake beach" but the ocean beach. I far prefer lakes, but maybe that's because I grew up in Minnesota.

I've always heard that you don't want to own a pool or a boat.  You want to be friends with the guy that owns a pool and a boat.

[ingrownstudentloans]

Your car gets hit by a deer and insurance doesn't fully cover the cost of the repair.

So there I was, at a red light, just minding my own business when ALL OF A SUDDEN my car gets HIT BY A DEER!!!!  I mean, it was like it just fell from the sky and HIT MY CAR!!!!

*** This was written in jest by someone whose father and sister hit a combined 4 deer in a two-year span (including a nice 10-point a week before season opened that my neighbor had been watching/dreaming about), our insurance threatened to drop the whole family if another deer was hit, and who once had the side of his car run into by a deer...I know it can happen.

[mtn]

Your car gets hit by a deer and insurance doesn't fully cover the cost of the repair.

So there I was, at a red light, just minding my own business when ALL OF A SUDDEN my car gets HIT BY A DEER!!!!  I mean, it was like it just fell from the sky and HIT MY CAR!!!!

*** This was written in jest by someone whose father and sister hit a combined 4 deer in a two-year span (including a nice 10-point a week before season opened that my neighbor had been watching/dreaming about), our insurance threatened to drop the whole family if another deer was hit, and who once had the side of his car run into by a deer...I know it can happen.

Ex-coworker of mine hit 3 in about 2 years. The second one was a buck, hitting him--broke his window. His side window. (This was a truck-topper, I doubt it could have happened on the regular car windows)

[shelivesthedream]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

You are completely missing the point. These people aren't being picky about food. They are feeling hurt because some food was bought which was focused entirely around them was something which they will obviously not eat. Imagine you hate scary films and your great big birthday treat is going to see Jaws - insensitive much? Or your least favourite colour in the whole world is green and someone specially buys you a green scarf - like, how hard would it have been to pick up the blue one instead? If it was jut random office food then either eat it or don't, but if it's food for YOUR party, you bave a right to be pissed off.

[klystomane]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

You are completely missing the point. These people aren't being picky about food. They are feeling hurt because some food was bought which was focused entirely around them was something which they will obviously not eat. Imagine you hate scary films and your great big birthday treat is going to see Jaws - insensitive much? Or your least favourite colour in the whole world is green and someone specially buys you a green scarf - like, how hard would it have been to pick up the blue one instead? If it was jut random office food then either eat it or don't, but if it's food for YOUR party, you bave a right to be pissed off.

Let me get the logic straight here. A bunch of coworkers go out to try and do something nice for me (when they have no obligation to), randomly picks a restaurant/food which I happen to dislike (I am assuming this was not done intentionally), and you're telling me that I should be angry at the fact that they didn't do it right.

[shelivesthedream]

And yeah, gluten intolerance doesn't exist. Or rather it is a false-negative where they're missing the real diagnosis of Celiac, IBS, IBD, Chrohns, Colitis, etc. Also, there is the factor that your body no longer recognizes it after being off of it for so long that it treats it as a toxin. Same thing happens with meat with some vegetarians, or spicy peppers with people who don't eat them, etc.

HA HA HA SURE FOOD INTOLERANCES DO NOT EXIST LOL

Are you volunteering to clean the bathroom after I ate something I shouldn't?? And if my turbulent bowels, intense joint pain and crippling fatigue are actually IBS disguised as food intolerances, how come I have no symptoms as long as I keep onion-, garlic- and lactose-free? If someone stops eating gluten and gets better, are you saying that's irrelevant? I used I be snotty about food intolerances too, and then I got some. And every time someone says "Just eat it, it's really nice!" I want to punch them in the face. With my bowels. Because no one would make this shit (pun intended) up if they knew what it was really like.

[mm1970]

And yeah, gluten intolerance doesn't exist. Or rather it is a false-negative where they're missing the real diagnosis of Celiac, IBS, IBD, Chrohns, Colitis, etc. Also, there is the factor that your body no longer recognizes it after being off of it for so long that it treats it as a toxin. Same thing happens with meat with some vegetarians, or spicy peppers with people who don't eat them, etc.

HA HA HA SURE FOOD INTOLERANCES DO NOT EXIST LOL

Are you volunteering to clean the bathroom after I ate something I shouldn't?? And if my turbulent bowels, intense joint pain and crippling fatigue are actually IBS disguised as food intolerances, how come I have no symptoms as long as I keep onion-, garlic- and lactose-free? If someone stops eating gluten and gets better, are you saying that's irrelevant? I used I be snotty about food intolerances too, and then I got some. And every time someone says "Just eat it, it's really nice!" I want to punch them in the face. With my bowels. Because no one would make this shit (pun intended) up if they knew what it was really like.

Mostly my friends are people who had to do a lot of experimentation.  They dealt with a lot of issues - intestinal pain, joint pain, and other intestinal issues.  The celiac tests came back negative.   (I also have a friend with Crohns, so I'm somewhat familiar with that).

It took a lot of experimentation to realize that if they gave up gluten (mostly wheat, but other gluten-containing grains), then their issues went away.  You have to be hyper aware and ready to experiment to figure that out.

One of my friends just mentioned that she doesn't do gluten.  She's a physician's assistant.  She had many patients who gave up gluten and swore by it, but basically told them they were full of crap - you don't have celiac, you are making this up.

Then she decided to try it herself, and couldn't believe the difference.  Thing is, when your body behaves a certain way, you get used to it.  In her case, I think it was constipation.  She figured it was normal.  Then she got rid of gluten and all of her nasty problems, that she'd just been dealing with, went away.

I personally don't think I have a gluten sensitivity.  But I did experiment with giving it up for a month last year.  After several months of a strict calorie controlled diet (where I was losing about 2 lbs a month), I gave up wheat, sugar, and wine.  For a month.  My calories remained the same, I just substituted rice, beans, popcorn, corn, and potatoes, for any bread, sugar or wine.  I lost 7 lbs that month.  (It's important to note that in a normal month, I'd have 1-2 servings of bread, wine, or sugar in a week, so not very much).

I'm glad I don't appear to have issues with gluten, because I love bread sooooo much.  Is there anything better than a slice of toasted sourdough for breakfast with fresh garden tomatoes??

[music lover]

For those who wish to get on the gluten bandwagon, this video has some good tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oht9AEq1798

[forummm]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

In response to the complaint about vegans, yes there are millions of starving people in the world and if more people ate fewer animal products, fewer crops would go to feeding animals for the meat and dairy industries, so there would be enough food for everyone in the world.

The trouble is getting it to all those people wherever they live and having them pay for it. There's already enough food grown in the world. We even waste 50% of what we grow in the US. And some additional portion we feed to our cars.

[MoonShadow]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

In response to the complaint about vegans, yes there are millions of starving people in the world and if more people ate fewer animal products, fewer crops would go to feeding animals for the meat and dairy industries, so there would be enough food for everyone in the world.

The trouble is getting it to all those people wherever they live and having them pay for it. There's already enough food grown in the world. We even waste 50% of what we grow in the US. And some additional portion we feed to our cars.

Indeed.  This world can still feed itself, the problem is logistical, not agricultural.

[Brawndo Salesman]

I attended a mandatory presentation at work on the topic of "personal financial management." I'm in the military so mandatory training of this kind is standard.

I was very surprised that the presenter was able to talk for 30 minutes and never once mention credit, debt, recommended savings rates, net worth, retirement plan withdrawal rates, the value of index funds, and management fees.

It was essentially an infomercial for how to understand how a military retirement pension can fit in to your total retirement portfolio.

Not too helpful for the portion of the audience that will be forced out early and not have the option to serve the requisite  number of years.

Oh, and the only example of how compounding works involved saving $200/month for 40 years at 10% interest. Cute.

[MoonShadow]

I attended a mandatory presentation at work on the topic of "personal financial management." I'm in the military so mandatory training of this kind is standard.

I was very surprised that the presenter was able to talk for 30 minutes and never once mention credit, debt, recommended savings rates, net worth, retirement plan withdrawal rates, the value of index funds, and management fees.

It was essentially an infomercial for how to understand how a military retirement pension can fit in to your total retirement portfolio.

Not too helpful for the portion of the audience that will be forced out early and not have the option to serve the requisite  number of years.

Oh, and the only example of how compounding works involved saving $200/month for 40 years at 10% interest. Cute.

Then things haven't really changed since I've been in.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Nothing major today, just bad habits.

Co-worker 1 buys two espressos every day. He's also still 'working' at 70-something.

Co-worker 2 smokes. A lot. His office smells like an ashtray, and he's the first to leave meetings to go have a smoke. Complains about school fees, petrol prices, etc.

Co-workers 3 and 4 buy their lunch together every day. Usually Subway at about $12 a pop, from what they say. One is in his 50s and complains about the cost of his ongoing kitchen renovation.

[shelivesthedream]

For those who wish to get on the gluten bandwagon, this video has some good tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oht9AEq1798

YES! I wanted to link to that video but couldn't find it.

[shelivesthedream]

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat out, especially not at Chili's."

"Waah, waah, waah...I'm a vegan."

"Waah, waah, waah...I don't eat pork."

There are literally millions of people starving all over the world...just f* eat it!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

You are completely missing the point. These people aren't being picky about food. They are feeling hurt because some food was bought which was focused entirely around them was something which they will obviously not eat. Imagine you hate scary films and your great big birthday treat is going to see Jaws - insensitive much? Or your least favourite colour in the whole world is green and someone specially buys you a green scarf - like, how hard would it have been to pick up the blue one instead? If it was jut random office food then either eat it or don't, but if it's food for YOUR party, you bave a right to be pissed off.

Let me get the logic straight here. A bunch of coworkers go out to try and do something nice for me (when they have no obligation to), randomly picks a restaurant/food which I happen to dislike (I am assuming this was not done intentionally), and you're telling me that I should be angry at the fact that they didn't do it right.

Compare these scenarios:

CW: "Hey, we're throwing a party for you and thought we'd take you out to [steakhouse]. How does that sound?"
You: "I'm vegan."
CW: "Oh sure, I forgot! Let's go to [other place] instead!"
You: "Awesome!"

Result: Genuine mistake corrected.

---

CW: "Hey, we're throwing a party for you! We're buying you lunch, anywhere you like because it's your party!"
You: "Awesome! Let's go to [place].

Result: Optimal.

---

CW: "Hey, we're throwing a party for you! We're going to [steakhouse].
You: "I'm vegan."
CW: "Sure, but everyone else picked [steakhouse] and we already booked a table.
You: "But I don't eat steak. Why didn't you ask me?"
CW: "Oh, the whole office wanted to go to [steakhouse] so we thought you wouldn't mind."
You: "But it's supposed to be my party..."

Result: Asshole

---

In the examples given upthread, the result was that the office went for the inappropriate (for whatever reason) food choice anyway without offering to let the person pick somewhere else that they wanted to go. So yes, if you were vegan and they took you to a steakhouse anyway, I would be cross.

[LennStar]

Regarding the whole gluten thing you have to differentiate between the "radioactive explosion" type of illness - that is a very low  percentage of persons who suffers this, its actually way under one percent, ranging from 1:10000 to 1:100 depending on country and a bit on test method.

If people call gluten intolerance bullshit it is because that gets mixed up with other types of illnesses like allergies and most infamously with lactose intolerance, which has a wide spread of symptons and percentages of people who have it in different contries.
Being intolerant often does not mean you have problems - you can eat your sliver of cheese without problems, you should just not drink a liter of milk. But people often put a bad diet on lactose intolerance, because then they dont have to question their weight or their habit of eating a burger every day.

This confusion does not get better when you can read "loctose free and gluten free" on an ever growing number od products. I especially "like" it on meat. It's a bit like calling ice heat free.