# Why do I get snarky comments for buying breakfast at work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 8, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355 "2012-11-08T14:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/21 "2012-11-08T16:54:17Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Beat me to it. They’re just making small talk about the first thing that pops into their mind: your food. > > If you were carrying just about anything else you’d probably hear the same thing, “Ohhh, what do you have there? armadillo, huh? Nice.” the next time I see _anyone_ eating _anything_ at the office, that’s what I’m saying. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/22 "2012-11-08T16:55:53Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Agent Foxtrot, I think you are reading WAY too much into your co-workers comments. I recently heard a bit of advice that I love. If someone says something disparaging about you, think of two other reasons why they might have said it. And +1 on the “Most important meal of the day” comment. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/23 "2012-11-08T17:00:45Z")
“Yes, I know. I remember that you said that the last time you saw me getting breakfast.” Yes, I’m all about the snark. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/24 "2012-11-08T17:14:05Z")
It’s just verbal diarrhea, monkey see monkey say. They just don’t know any better. I first try the forced smile and finally The only correct response when you see someone eating is “Bon appetit” ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/25 "2012-11-08T17:39:17Z")
I think people just want to have something to say and there you stand with breakfast in your hand. Tell them they have a breathtaking grasp of the obvious and go about your business. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/26 "2012-11-08T17:41:03Z")
They like you. They just want to be social. They are tired of talking about the weather. Try not to read so much into things. Lighten up Francis! ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/27 "2012-11-08T17:41:15Z")
I don’t know about your area, but ALL of the hospitals in the cities I reside in have atrocious food. Maybe they are trying to say you have bad taste, lol. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/28 "2012-11-08T17:46:07Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > I think people just want to have something to say and there you stand with breakfast in your hand. Tell them they have a breathtaking grasp of the obvious and go about your business. That’s probably most of it, but maybe they’re also unaware of how you shift your work around to allow yourself that extra time? Are you still taking a full lunch break? Coming in at the regular time? If you’re not specifically entitled to a morning break, and you’re running off for breakfast just because you happen to have free time, your coworkers may be pissed. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/29 "2012-11-08T17:53:14Z")
I’ll be thinking of armadillos in a LOT of small talk social situations this month. Probably with a stupid grin on my face. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/30 "2012-11-08T18:06:31Z")
Our workplace has pretty strict rules about eating for exactly this reason - HR is super tight about people working EXACTLY when and as long as they’re supposed to (no more, no less - EVER) but they were pretty easygoing about what you did when you got here. Then there were all these people who would come in and spend the first 30 minutes of their shift making coffee, roaming around the office visiting, eating breakfast, surfing the web, and generally not working. People who made coffee and did their socializing and internetting before they got to work got a bit bitchy about it. Understandable - we all share tasks here, so if I’m slacking off, that means you’re picking up my shit while I slurp my cereal milk. So now you can only eat if you’re on your official clocked (still paid, but clocked nonetheless) 15 minute morning, afternoon, or evening break, or on your clocked-out lunchtime. No eating at desks ever. Just because some people couldn’t be somewhat responsible about a relaxed atmosphere. Pisses me right off. So - I’d check your official rules, and the unofficial workplace “atmosphere” about eating at your desk or about eating on shift at all. If there’s no official rule, but NO ONE ELSE ever eats at their desk, then perhaps you should just eat in the cafeteria or break-room rather than at your desk, so it doesn’t make people notice you doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/31 "2012-11-08T18:15:52Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > What are they trying to say? It gives me the feeling that they’re relaying, “The rest of us don’t have time for breakfast. You shouldn’t get to eat either,” or “No one around here eats breakfast at work. Why are you being different?” My view is that you’re working hard to feel insulted. After all, you say that these are people you get along with. Human beings often speak just to interact. It’s like apes grooming each other. Just answer with good humor and don’t think twice about it. **Anaamika** , I’d offer you the same advice. People make comments about food because (1) people like talking and (2) people like food. It’s like talking about the weather. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/32 "2012-11-08T18:43:25Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Now I want to carry an armadillo through the office! Here’s me [carrying an armadillo](http://tinypic.com/r/2h50cif/6) just outside my office. Of course, my office is zoo education… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/33 "2012-11-08T19:04:43Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Now I want to carry an armadillo through the office! Do it! > [@kayaker](#): > > If you smashed the omelet into the dude’s face and said, “now look who has egg on his face”, I’ll bet that would stop the comments. Do it! > [@araminty](#): > > Here’s me [carrying an armadillo](http://tinypic.com/r/2h50cif/6) just outside my office. Of course, my office is zoo education… That’s awesome. Add me to the list of people who will be thinking of armadillos in the office at small talk time. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/34 "2012-11-08T19:07:12Z")
Oh, why people make snarky comments - because they are assholes who can’t mind their own business. Unless you’re not working as much as other people because of the eating or smelling up the office, it’s none of their business how big your omelet is. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/35 "2012-11-08T19:09:59Z")
I was going to respond to Ascenray but WHO CARES THERE IS A PICTURE OF A CUTE LITTLE ARMADILLO. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/36 "2012-11-08T19:44:39Z")
araminty, do you care to share what zoo it’s at? I love that picture! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/37 "2012-11-08T20:02:10Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Here’s me [carrying an armadillo](http://tinypic.com/r/2h50cif/6) just outside my office. Of course, my office is zoo education… That made my day! Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/38 "2012-11-08T21:15:35Z")
What a great pic! Coincidentally, just last week I asked the senior director of my department for some armadillo. Sadly, he didn’t have any and offered some Squirrel Surprise instead. (We had a Road Kill Diner-themed Halloween decorating/costume contest. Hilarious, but short on armadillo.) ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/39 "2012-11-08T21:39:21Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Here’s me [carrying an armadillo](http://tinypic.com/r/2h50cif/6) just outside my office. Of course, my office is zoo education… This makes me so happy! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![firstname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355/40 "2012-11-08T23:32:46Z")
They’re just jealous, now I’m going to make some breakfast. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-snarky-comments-for-buying-breakfast-at-work/640355.md?page=3)