AITA for embarrassing a lunch thief at work.

A Redditor shared a story about catching a lunch thief at work who stole their food while it was in the office microwave. After confronting him, they yanked the plate away and ate it in front of him, embarrassing him in front of his colleagues. The thief apologized, but others at the office have since criticized the Redditor for being rude. The Redditor wonders if their response was too harsh or justified. Read the full story below to see if they were right to stand up for their lunch.

‘ AITA for embarrassing a lunch thief at work.’

So pretty much the title, I don’t think I am the A but I’ve been getting some flack for it so I really want to clear this up. So I started a new job recently I work in small studio, there are several others in the building, think open plan office with sections assigned to each studio. The person I had an altercation with doesn’t work for my studio just FYI.

I eat lunch at 1ish and most people eat at 12. I came down ealry to eat at 12, I made coffee and while at the counter noticed my tuppaware in the sink, empty. Imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw a man I didn’t know sitting down at the table with my food on his plate.

He had just stuck it in the microwave. Acting rashly since I was mad, I sat down next to him and said ‘hey that looks good, mind if I try it?’ Then before waiting for an answer I yanked the plate away from him and snatched his fork out his hand, he just blinked in shock as did the other people there as I started eating.

He then, quite loudly, asked what I thought I was doing and I replied ‘huh you know this was actually much better when I first cooked it, it probably lost some flavor in the fridge.’ he caught on quickly that it was it was my food and went a lil red. I then asked him where he got the gall to steal someone else’s lunch and then ask them what they were doing when they took it back.

He stuttered out some nonsense about not knowing it was mine and I replied well you knew it wasn’t yours right? He just mumbled something like an apology and I said that’s no problem it was nice he’d warmed it up for me at least, in an admittedly b*tchy tone, and then he just got up and left and the people there just stared in silence.

2 of the silent watchers, maybe his mates idk, told me that I was rude to him and that there had been nicer ways to go about it. I told them to think how they’d feel if someone ate their food before saying they should focus on their lunch and I’ll focus on mine.

Well it’s been a little awkward at lunch since and I have the impression a few people are talking shite about me at work now, maybe I could’ve been nicer sure. I still don’t think I was wrong but tell me reddit AITA. Tldr lunchthief tried to eat my food in front of me I took it back and embarrassed him in front of his colleagues.

Edit: Okay this blew up, just wanted to drop an edit on here to say thank you so much for all the comments, support and awards it’s great to know I wasn’t completely overreacting. Maybe I shoudl chat tp some people and see if the food thief has struck before will update then if yall are interested.

Otherwise additional info, I saw some comments saying I should go to hr but my studio doesn’t have hr and the perp doesn’t work for the same place, we do have a defacto office manager but I don’t want to take it any further since I’m still new here and on probation/think my reaction might have been enough.

Update: So not sure if anyone wanted an update but I finally found out from a a new friend at work that yes the lunch thief has struck before! Apparently everyone wrote their names on their lunch to combat this, and the thief then targeted unmarked lunch or lunch items, guess no one told me ha.

People apparently starting being petty and standoff-ish to the thief since and he blames me for that lol. Also according to my new friend most were actually very pleased that the thief was finally identified/dealt with.

I was assured that besides the thief in question and his cronies no one thought I was being a b*tch. However, not knowing much about me, assumed I was a very serious or clique-y person from my reaction,

which I mean fair, I dress very professionally when most of the office dresses quite casual which probably added to that (think high heels, blouse and skirt VS shorts, graphic tee and slops). I’ve started to come down to lunch earlier to chat to some people and the office seems to be warming up to me.

So not a drama filled update but I’m very happy things turned out so well and my reputation with my colleagues is off to a good start, thanks again for all of the comments and support think this will be final edit slash update too, thanks reddit 🙂

Here’s what people had to say to OP:

Judgement_Bot_AITA − OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a**hole: I feel I may be the ah for embarrassing him quite intentionally because I was angry, there was definitely a softer way to go about it..

Intelligent-Bite9660 −  NTA. Haha, I say the same thing when someone tries to pull the “I didn’t know it was yours” card. Especially at work. If you know you didn’t bring it, then obviously you can’t take it.. Some people 🙄🙄🙄

[Reddit User] −  NTA. You never f**k with a persons lunch. I admire you tbh.

[Reddit User] −  NTA but you are epic.

flipytrippy −  Nta i would have done more of a scene actually,food i sacred

hinkelmckrinkelberry −  NTA. F**k that person.

GingerMic −  You are an absolute legend. NTA. Let’s see someone try to take your food now!

SnooPandas9346 −  NTA. Sure, you could have been nicer. But you know what would have been REALLY nice? If that j**k hadn’t stolen your food in the first place!

MasonJarFlowers −  I don’t think you’re an a**hole bc they clearly didn’t care how taking FOOD would effect the emotional state of whoever it belonged to. I would actually have bawled my eyes out if someone ate my lunch at work bc when I first started working it was very hard to keep groceries on the table while paying bills & gas.

edwadokun −  HEY STOP BEING RUDE TO THE GUY WHO STOLE FROM YOU. NTA

Do you think the Redditor was justified in confronting the lunch thief the way they did, or would a more polite approach have been better? How would you have handled this situation? Share your thoughts below!