Woman fumes at colleague's 'selfish' lunch habit - but others don't see the issue
Anyone with special dietary requirements knows buffets can present a headache, but one man was branded 'selfish' over his lack of tact at a paid-for lunch - while others didn't see an issue.
Some of us have to contact caterers in advance of an event to let them know about our needs, and you can't always guarantee that the suitable options will be as varied as the alternatives. The perceived wrongdoing occurred at a work buffet in which sections were provided for those with special dietary requirements. Among those were vegan, gluten free and nut free, each with 'limited' supplies.
Writing on Mumsnet, the woman explained she had specific food requirements but was dismayed to find a male colleague helped himself to grub from every section. She had witnessed people do the same at many similar events, and she was often left with 'very little to eat' as a result.
The woman wrote: "At a work conference, where a catered lunch is being offered. There are specific sections for dietary requirements with limited supplies eg vegan, gluten free, nut free, along with a larger section for ordinary non-vegetarian sandwiches with ordinary bread. The guy ahead of me takes something from every single section including the ordinary non-vegetarian section, so clearly is not a vegan with gluten allergies! Why do people do this?
"As someone with specific dietary requirements I've been left many times with very little to eat because others have eaten food without thinking about whether others might actually need it."
'My vegan girlfriend is mad I won't give up butter, I'm doing the best I can'
Many of the forum's users sympathised with the woman's plight, with one writing: "My dear husband has been in this situation quite a lot lately. It's a mix of not engaging their brains, ignorance and bad buffet layout. People are absolute gannets where free food is provided. And don't even start me on the subject of people who refuse to respond to invitations and then show up so there's not enough food available."
Another said: "They're probably thoughtless. I've been the person left with hardly anything to eat because everyone just wanted to 'try' a bit. It's really annoying. Have a word with the conference organisers and see what they suggest, if there is a shortage."
Agreeing, another added: "Yes it's selfish and entitled behaviour, thoughtless and grabby. It is not news that plenty of people like this exist. Any decent events organiser knows this will happen and factors it in, providing multiple quantities of the special options on the assumption that most will be eaten by people who don't need them but think the things look nice and can't bear the idea of there being something that looks nice but isn't for them."
However, others questioned whether the poster was overreacting. One wrote: "I don't think it's necessarily selfish, thoughtless or greedy to assume that food on a buffet is available to them. Can none of you use your voices and ask that the items for those with dietary requirements are kept for those who need them? Do you not get a separate platter delivered so it is free from cross contamination anyway?"
"They might just be taking what looks nice?", another suggested.
Another asked: "Surely if you're a vegan because you think it's more humane or better for the planet it's good if other people try vegan food too, even if only as part of their diet? In this case though the buffet should be better marked, it should be clear that certain items are off limits for most and are reserved for certain groups of staff."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
