An office worker has been accused of “food shaming” after asking a coworker to bring something else in for lunch instead of “insane”-smelling fish every day.
The 30-year-old office worker described on Reddit this week how “Jason”, estimated to be in his late 20s and one of 10 colleagues in their small office, regularly brought fish-based meals such as mackerel, sardines and salmon.
The lingering smell, according to the original poster (OP) azuuredamsel, was overwhelming and made the breakroom unpleasant for others.
‘Tough for everyone’
While multiple coworkers had privately complained, no one had directly addressed Jason about the issue—until the OP decided to speak up.
“I pulled him aside and as politely as I could, I said something like, ‘Hey, I noticed you bring fish for lunch a lot. It’s kind of strong-smelling, and it’s tough for everyone to deal with in such a small space.
“‘Do you think you could bring something else now and then?'” the OP explained.
Rather than responding with understanding, Jason reportedly became defensive, arguing that fish was a healthy choice and that his coworkers needed to “grow up” and stop being so sensitive.
He even went so far as to bring the issue up in a team meeting, accusing colleagues of trying to “food shame” him. Feeling “horrible”, the OP began to question whether asking Jason to adjust his lunch habits was unfair, despite others in the office expressing similar frustration.
‘It’s gauche’
The debate sparked more than 700 comments from fellow Reddit users within a day online, many of whom sided with the OP.
As one user wrote, “Breakrooms are a shared space. There’s nothing wrong with asking Jason not to bring strong, fishy smells into the breakroom.
“I’d also ask a coworker not to bring durian in, if someone did. It’s gauche to stink up the breakroom with fish smells.”
Another added, “It’s pretty inconsiderate to smell up your workplace, particularly when it’s a small space, every day and not take into account the impact it might have on others.
“You approached it in a reasonable way and others have told you how they hate it as well. It’s give and take in an office with stuff like this and his refusal to compromise and weaponize your comment make him [in the wrong].”
Office Etiquette on Strong-Smelling Foods
The dispute highlights a broader workplace issue—whether certain foods should be restricted in communal office spaces. According to Bon Appétit, office lunch etiquette suggests that strong-smelling foods like fish, eggs and certain cheeses should be avoided in shared spaces out of courtesy to coworkers.
Experts argue that while employees have the right to eat what they like, they should also consider the impact of their choices on those around them.
Similarly, workplace lunch habits have become a trending topic online, with social media users regularly debating whether certain foods should be off-limits in office environments.
A Newsweek article discussed another instance where an unusual lunch choice left coworkers feeling uncomfortable, further demonstrating that food-related workplace disputes are not uncommon.
“Maybe if Jason got barfed on, he’d stop bringing fish for lunch,” a Redditor quipped.
Newsweek has contacted azuuredamsel comment via Reddit.
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