View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
In the realm of workplace disputes, certain problems are more pungent than others—quite literally.
A Redditor recently shared a juicy story on the well-known "Am I The A**hole" (AITA) forum, detailing a lunchtime conflict with her colleague Jason and his habit of bringing strong-smelling fish dishes to work every day.
In a post titled "AITA for asking my coworker to stop bringing fish for lunch every day?", the OP (original poster) set the stage for a seafood showdown that’s got everyone talking.
The original poster expresses frustration regarding a colleague's unusual and odorous meals.
“I (30F) am employed at a small office that has around 10 colleagues,” the original poster shared. “One of my coworkers, ‘Jason’ (likely in his late 20s), has this peculiar habit of bringing fish for lunch nearly every day. And I’m not talking about plain fish—he brings things like mackerel, sardines, or salmon. The odor is overwhelming and sticks around for hours,” she explained.
She mentioned that although she fully supports individuals enjoying their food choices, the breakroom is quite cramped. "I understand that everyone should have the freedom to eat what they like, but since we all use this small shared space, I think it's just polite to steer clear of foods that are... particularly strong in smell."
"Several colleagues have approached me in private with their concerns, but nobody has confronted Jason face-to-face. I feel terrible about trying to control what someone eats, but the entire office is bothered by it, and the smell is quite unpleasant," the OP added.
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
The original poster took it upon themselves to handle the situation. "A few days back, I made the choice to tackle the issue. I approached him privately and, trying to be as courteous as possible, I mentioned something along the lines of, 'Hey, I've noticed that you often bring fish for lunch. It has a pretty strong odor, and it can be challenging for everyone in this confined space. Would you mind bringing a different meal occasionally?'"
However, Jason became defensive, arguing that fish is nutritious and insisting that people should “mature” and stop being overly sensitive. To make matters worse, he raised the issue in a team meeting, accusing his colleagues of “food shaming” him.
"I genuinely believed I was being fair, but now I'm starting to feel like a jerk for possibly expecting someone to alter their diet just to make me feel comfortable. Am I in the wrong?" the original poster inquired.
The Reddit jury has reached a unanimous decision.
The AITA community is always ready to share their thoughts, and this occasion was no exception. Many of the leading commenters strongly supported the OP and criticized the actions of her colleague.
"Not the Asshole," a user commented. "Breakrooms are communal areas. It's perfectly reasonable to ask Jason to refrain from bringing in strong, fishy odors. I would also request a colleague to avoid bringing durian if it were the case. It's inconsiderate to fill the breakroom with unpleasant fish smells. Jason’s response is definitely inappropriate."
"While he has every right to keep bringing in fish, telling others to 'grow up' because they're frustrated with the smell in the breakroom is definitely a selfish move. It's completely reasonable to expect some consideration for communal areas. After all, it's a staff room, not Jason's Fishy Odor Chamber," they remarked.
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
"No way, that's not fair. Your request is totally valid, and you approached him in a calm and respectful manner. All you asked was for him to occasionally refrain from bringing fish, which seems perfectly reasonable. It's kind of wild that he a) does that so often and b) expects others to be okay with the persistent fish odor. It's hilarious," commented another user.
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
"NTA, heating up fish in a communal breakroom is definitely one of those major workplace offenses, right alongside the crime of burning popcorn. It's completely reasonable to expect a pleasant environment during the workday without having to hold back nausea," one commenter stated.
"NTA - It's rather thoughtless to fill your workspace with unpleasant odors, especially in a confined area, without considering how it affects your coworkers. You handled the situation calmly, and you've got others backing you up about their dislike for it too. In an office environment, it's all about mutual respect, and his unwillingness to find a middle ground while turning your feedback against you definitely makes him the AH," another person added.
Several commenters even recounted their own bizarre and unsettling experiences from the office.
"NTA - we had a colleague who did the same thing, bringing smelly fish to work daily. It was so annoying. The managers finally reached a breaking point with our complaints and told him to bring more 'neutral' food or to eat outside," shared one individual.
"His behavior affects all of us, so he should adjust his actions accordingly. Sure, he has the freedom to eat whatever he likes, but he can do it in a manner that doesn't disturb you. He can either choose different food, or he can take himself elsewhere, like the parking lot, to eat in peace," they continued.
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.