# The deepest circle of hell is reserved for busybody work snitches **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 19, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229 "2006-04-19T00:24:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/1 "2006-04-19T00:24:15Z")
Backround: I’m a programmer. I sit safely at a desk and am good at what I do and have a good work ethic. I have a serious deadline due for a project that grew WAY beyond original expectations, (but not the due date, naturally). I’ve been working 16 hour days, six days a week. I also cut out one afternoon for lunch on a particularly stressful day and had a couple of vodka gimlets with my Bennigan’s burger. No big deal, right? I get back to work for a meeting with a self-rightous employee who has been freinds with the owners, but otherwise, nobody in the company can stand her. A day later, I get a meeting request from my boss saying that this person smelled alcohol on my breath. Oh, my Og, NO! It’s not like I was stinkin’ drunk, slurring my words and throwing up on her. I conducted the meeting professionally and completely unimpared. What the fuck business of it of hers that I had a couple of drinks at lunch? Who is she that she feels the compulsion to actually go to my boss and mention it? Why do people act like this? If I’m not harming anyone, who the fuck cares? If I smelled alcohol on one the employee’s breath, I’d be like, “wow, booze. Who cares?” I would certainly NOT be in his manager’s office narking this person out. It’s not my business, as long as this person is performing his job and not in a position of putting others or themselves in danger. Almost eveyone in the company have weekly department-level get-together working lunch meetings where the drinks flow freely completely in the face of the senior management, and in fact, the owners, who have on more than one occasion footed the bar bill at these lunches. This is the second person in my life who I have encountered like this. The first one completely destroyed the USAF career of a good friend of mine for a minor discretion on his part (I worked in a Top Secret facility where even a minor discretion will kill your career). Like we all don’t bend the rules every now and then. I pit these busy-body “rulemongers” to the deepest circle of hell doomed to read and re-read their rulebooks that they carry like Bibles under their arms on a daily basis while they hold their nose up high and look down on everyone. I may get pitted for tossing back a couple at lunch, so lay it on me. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/2 "2006-04-19T00:25:26Z")
You’re writing this from jail, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/3 "2006-04-19T00:29:39Z")
A \*couple \*of vodka gimlets? I’m not going to pit you, I think what this person did was a bit silly, but man, I’m impressed that you can toss back a couple of those at lunchtime. I don’t think I could, ever. What’s a gimlet, anyway? Other than a dwarf that runs a delicatessen? (Note: This is Terry Pratchett humor). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/4 "2006-04-19T00:35:54Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > You’re writing this from jail, aren’t you? Not if he’s tossing a few back right now. Well, not usually, anyway. Jails don’t have as good toilet hooch as prisons do. Any of my colleagues or underlings show up at work with obvious ethanol in their system, they **will** get walked off the grounds by a minimum of 2 officers. We don’t allow folks to compromise security or safety or well-being at my institution. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/5 "2006-04-19T00:40:56Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > A \*couple \*of vodka gimlets? I’m not going to pit you, I think what this person did was a bit silly, but man, I’m impressed that you can toss back a couple of those at lunchtime. I don’t think I could, ever. What’s a gimlet, anyway? Other than a dwarf that runs a delicatessen? (Note: This is Terry Pratchett humor). A gimlet is usually a cocktail of gin and lime, a vodka gimlet is… er… vodka and lime. 😉 They’re quite small, though, aren’t they? A couple of them, depending on your tolerance, is likely small potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/6 "2006-04-19T00:42:31Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > You’re writing this from jail, aren’t you? Jail? Nice. Dig taken in the best of spirits. I hope it was given in kind. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/7 "2006-04-19T00:42:35Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > Like we all don’t bend the rules every now and then. If you bend the rules, you roll the dice that your bending won’t get you in trouble. Sometimes the dice come up snake-eyes. Sorry - no sympathy to you. HOWEVER – it doesn’t sound like you broke any rules, since you yourself acknowledge that on other occasions people drink during lunch. So I’m unclear – is there a rule in your workplace against lunchtime alcohol? If there is, then – as I say - no sympathy. If there is not, then what reason did the other person have for complaint? ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/8 "2006-04-19T00:43:00Z")
Any of my people show up with alcohol on their breath, and they get tagged for an escort to the clinic for a reasonable cause random test. If there’s alcohol, they are summarily out on their asses. And not just the drivers, the staff as well. Not a lot of sympathy from me for tossing back a couple at work, no matter how stressed you are. Drop by my place anywhere from early August until after the first couple weeks of school if you want to see long weeks and stress, we got enough to go around. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/9 "2006-04-19T00:44:03Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > A \*couple \*of vodka gimlets? I’m not going to pit you, I think what this person did was a bit silly, but man, I’m impressed that you can toss back a couple of those at lunchtime. I don’t think I could, ever. What’s a gimlet, anyway? Other than a dwarf that runs a delicatessen? (Note: This is Terry Pratchett humor). On top of a 1/2 pound burger, fries and a salad this is really nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/10 "2006-04-19T00:44:05Z")
I don’t see where you have much to be upset about, really. Ingesting drugs is something you do on your own time, and since you were working, your time was not your own. You got caught; you’re upset. Get over it, and stop drinking whilst on the job. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/11 "2006-04-19T00:44:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > HOWEVER – it doesn’t sound like you broke any rules, since you yourself acknowledge that on other occasions people drink during lunch. So I’m unclear – is there a rule in your workplace against lunchtime alcohol? > > If there is, then – as I say - no sympathy. If there is not, then what reason did the other person have for complaint? I meant to add something along these lines. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/12 "2006-04-19T00:50:56Z")
So it looks like the general consensus here is that I was in the wrong. Do any of you remember back in the '50’s and '60’s where managers would have a bottle of scotch on their desks and would offer clients a drink whilst having meetings? Have times changes that much. So, with the first sentence being said, I withdrwal my pit and hereby pit myself for making a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/13 "2006-04-19T00:52:13Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Not if he’s tossing a few back right now. > > Well, not usually, anyway. Jails don’t have as good toilet hooch as prisons do. > > Any of my colleagues or underlings show up at work with obvious ethanol in their system, they **will** get walked off the grounds by a minimum of 2 officers. > > We don’t allow folks to compromise security or safety or well-being at my institution. Yes, but will YOU be the one ratting them out? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/14 "2006-04-19T00:53:02Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > Jail? Nice. Dig taken in the best of spirits. I hope it was given in kind. It was. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/15 "2006-04-19T00:53:18Z")
I’m a big proponent of minding one’s own damn business. I tend to let karma (or whatever) take care of people, not some dumbass busybody. It sounds like the bosses have set an example that it’s okay to have a few, so they’re being a bit hypocritical. You get your job done and aren’t endangering or offending anyone; what the hell does some bitch care? Which brings me to my next question: What the hell _does_ some bitch care? Was there bad blood between you before this? ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/16 "2006-04-19T00:54:19Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > A gimlet is usually a cocktail of gin and lime, a vodka gimlet is… er… vodka and lime. 😉 > > They’re quite small, though, aren’t they? A couple of them, depending on your tolerance, is likely small potatoes. A shot of vodka and lime _juice_. In a two ounce tumbler. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/17 "2006-04-19T00:54:58Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > Yes, but will YOU be the one ratting them out? You’d better believe that I will be. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/18 "2006-04-19T00:58:03Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m a big proponent of minding one’s own damn business. I tend to let karma (or whatever) take care of people, not some dumbass busybody. It sounds like the bosses have set an example that it’s okay to have a few, so they’re being a bit hypocritical. You get your job done and aren’t endangering or offending anyone; what the hell does some bitch care? Which brings me to my next question: What the hell _does_ some bitch care? Was there bad blood between you before this? Thank you. One fan in this post. There was no bad blood. Just some woman who felt the need to poke her nose in someone else’s business. Like I said before, if I smelled alcohol on a co-worker’s breath, smelled _real_ drugs on them, or even saw them stealing office supplies, I would mind my own fucking business. Nothing is lower than a rat-fink. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/19 "2006-04-19T00:58:55Z")
> [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > I don’t see where you have much to be upset about, really. Ingesting drugs is something you do on your own time, and since you were working, your time was not your own. You got caught; you’re upset. Get over it, and stop drinking whilst on the job. He said he was working 16 hours a day and I presume he is on salary. When is “his time”? It probably all just mixes together like it does for many IT people and there is no clear segregation. I have known plenty of IT people that had to program around a problem completely snockered in the middle of the night because they are on call all the time and that is just the way it is. I have worked at plenty of places that allowed alcohol at work or at lunch. It isn’t that unusual and the prohibition against against that sort of thing tends to be pretty recent. It isn’t SHOCKING that someone would engage in that standard even by many contemporary workplace standards let alone the recent past. I really, really hate busybody’s too. The Gladys Crabbits gang has tried to nail for me stuff they should have no interest in since I was young and it really sits wrong with me. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229/20 "2006-04-19T01:00:27Z")
Your scenario is interesting. Other than client management type scenarios, or social “party” type lunches where you go home for the day after the meeting, I’ve never heard of modern professional companies having lunches where lunchtime drinking was encouraged or acceptable. I’m in commercial real estate sales and leasing, and although we don’t have rules against drinking I would never drink before meeting with a client or holding a meeting, even with a fellow employee (and esp a sinister employee) . Some people can smell alcohol on your breath from 10 paces and it’s just bad form (IMO) to drink while you’re working and (again IMO) it gives a bad impression to others re your professionalism. Regardless of how evil this busybody is, what you did was stupid in and of itself, and doubly stupid in putting your reputation into her clutches. Don’t assume what’s OK in a group is OK by your lonesome. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-deepest-circle-of-hell-is-reserved-for-busybody-work-snitches/353229.md?page=2)