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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Katie Williams

Woman told she's unreasonable about pointing out colleague's 'annoying' habit

A woman has been left frustrated by her work colleague who 'constantly' eats at the desk next her.

Now many of us are back in the office, the question of 'office etiquette' has returned. It can range from questioning what is appropriate to wear (not your beloved lockdown dressing gown apparently) or what food can be eaten at the desk.

The woman took to a popular online forum to vent after she found crumbs of KFC in her bag, the chosen lunch of her workmate. She was quickly met with many comments sympathising with her, while others hit back and told her to stop judging.

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The woman explained that they work on reception and share a phone - which is left greasy after her colleague has a snack at her desk.

Writing on Mumsnet, she complained that her 'Colleague was constantly eating all the time'.

She explained: "We share a desk. She comes in at 9am. Usually a McDonald's breakfast bun of some kind.

"Snacks on cake, sausage rolls, meats. Lunch is chicken and chips, McDonald's, KFC. Loads of crisps for a snack after at her desk

"AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to be annoyed? She is constantly eating! The crumbs drive me up the wall. They edge onto my side."

She added: "We share a work phone that we answer. It rings. If I'm doing something she picks up, and vice v etc. She leaves it greasy from just eating loads of crisps etc, answers sometimes with her mouth half full! Crumbs everywhere. It's just frustrating."

"I'll give an example of today - she had a box of KFC wings as a snack. They're really crumbling. She was working and then had one, rinse and repeat until they were gone. There were little KFC wing crumbs on top of my handbag by the end! Not sure how when my bag was on the other side but as I say, the mess is everywhere"

The comments quickly stacked up with many sympathising and calling it 'gross'. Some told her to speak to her line manager, while others told her to stop judging.

"If it's not affecting your life I'm not sure why it's any of your business what she eats to be honest," one hit back.

A second said: "I don't think you should be judging her for eating. It's completely fine to ask her to keep all of her stuff on her side of the desk though."

"Keep a box of wet wipes/telephone wipes by the phone and pointedly wipe the phone before answering," another suggested.

A fourth commented: "There is something gross about this. I had this with a colleague who I became good friends with, but I found it really grim. If she wasn't eating, she was drinking coffee. Constant food smells from the desk next to you is not nice. I sympathise."

One simply said: "Ask her politely to sweep up her crumbs and focus on something else. Or change desks."

Another added: "I really think you have a case for asking for separate phones."

How do you feel about food in the office? Let us know in the comments.

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