The vending machines at work are so expensive and so infrequently stocked that I buy a few multipacks of snacks and leave them in my desk. A few of the other guys in the office buy snacks from me (at cost), and then a few more join in. Suddenly, I get requests to stock other items, and then, before I know it, I’m running a fully-stocked tuck shop.

I only charge what it costs for me to buy items, but when a bar costs, say, 19p from a multipack, most people round up. I’m not making any real money, but it probably covers more than my petrol.

One day, my boss pulls me into his office.

Boss: “We’ve had a concern raised about you running some sort of racket.”

Me: “You mean the tuck shop? I would hardly call it a racket.”

Boss: “I’ve been told it’s more of a business, being run on company time. There was something about exclusion or—” *reading from a paper* “—an all-boys club?”

Me: “I have food at my desk, and people come by on their breaks and pay the cost price for what they want. I’ve told [Female Coworker] that if she wants to join in, she can, but I’m not buying a mini-fridge out of my own money to suit her.”

Boss: “Hang on, I didn’t say any names. Okay, I think I need to see this for myself.”

We go back to my desk. My desk gets emptied in front of everyone, and I have to admit there is a lot of food. I volunteer the ledger, the price list, and all emails related to it.

My boss goes through everything, returns it to me, and leaves, saying something about checking with Human Resources.

I hear nothing for weeks until the senior HR manager comes into the office and is pointed to me.

HR Manager: “Are you [My Name]?”

Me: “Yes.”

HR Manager: “Do you have any salt and vinegar crisps?”

Me: *Pauses* “Sure, what brand?”

HR Manager: *Laughing* “What brand?! Oh, you’re being serious. Any will be fine.”

Just like that, he became one of the most frequent customers. He would often stop to chat and we got on really well. I know [Female Coworker] lied to get me in trouble, but it certainly didn’t work!

Apparently, I left my office desk drawers unlocked when I was last in the office a few months ago. I find that they have been ransacked and anything of perceived value has been taken.

Luckily, it was mostly company stationery, but I did have some food stuff in there. It’s beyond annoying, and I’m pretty sure I know who it was.

Me: “Oh, no! My drawers!”

Coworker #1: “What happened?”

Me: “Someone has stolen all of my things!”

Coworker #1: “What?! Some people are scum in this office.” *Glares at [Coworker #2]*

Me: *Dramatically* “Oh, no! They’ve taken the food, too.”

Coworker #1: “Don’t worry. We can buy some more.”

Me: *Loudly* “No, I mean it was really out of date. Like months. I had been meaning to throw it out for ages.”

Coworker #1: “Really?”

Me: “Yeah, I hope they didn’t eat it. That stuff can be toxic when it goes off.”

Coworker #1: “Come on. Let’s get some more stationery for you.”

When we returned, [Coworker #2] was nowhere to be seen. Later, he went home feeling sick. The joke’s on him; none of it was out of date. It was just his paranoia and guilt making him sick.

I did make sure to buy more food and offer [Coworker #2] some when he came back in. Surprisingly, he declined.

My coworker is packing up her things to leave when our supervisor emerges from her office.

Supervisor: “[Coworker], I’ve noticed you often leave a few minutes before 5:00.”

Coworker: “Oh, it’s okay. I don’t mind.”

Supervisor: “Uh, no, you need to stay until 5:00.”

Coworker: “No, really, I don’t mind!”

Supervisor: “We’re paying you to be here until 5:00.”

Coworker: “It’s fine. I don’t mind!”

Supervisor: “We need you here until 5:00!”

Coworker: “No, it’s okay. I don’t mind!”

[Coworker] cheerfully leaves. Frustrated, [Supervisor] turns to me.

Supervisor: “You get it, right?!”

[Coworker #1] is a bit deaf but won’t admit it. Everyone else is wrong, whispering, or “doesn’t know how to talk properly.” It’s not really a problem, but it can be a nightmare if you have to work with him, as you end up having to yell the whole time. Ironically, he can’t hear the background noise so he doesn’t talk nearly loud enough.

Management has offered him free hearing tests, and he would qualify for free hearing aids, but they can’t force him.

One day, I get to work, arriving late after a booked appointment.

Me: “What’s everyone doing outside?”

Coworker #2: “Fire. Sounds like a small one, but we’ve been evacuated.”

Me: “Okay. I’d better let them know I’m here and let [Coworker #1] know; he is probably trying to get me reported for being late.”

I find my boss and let him know I’m here. After a while, I go back to find him again.

Me: “Is [Coworker #1] working today?”

Boss: “Yes, I saw him earlier.”

Me: “Well, he isn’t anywhere; I can’t find him.”

Boss: “Oh, s***.”

He went to let one of the fire marshalls know, who let the firemen know. It turned out that [Coworker #1] couldn’t hear the ear-piercing siren and didn’t notice that no one else was around. He was at his station working away!

After that, the company forced him to get his ears tested and he was given hearing aids. Suddenly, [Coworker #1] could hear us properly again, even though he swears the hearing aids don’t do anything.

My husband and I are expecting our first baby and just found out we’re having a girl. I am talking with a coworker who is also pregnant and having a girl, as well.

Me: “We just found out we’re having a girl!”

Coworker: “And you’re happy about that? You didn’t want a boy first?”

Me: “Not really. I’d be happy either way, but I am really excited to be having a girl.”

Coworker: “Is your husband disappointed?”

Me: “Uh, no. He’s thrilled. He was actually really hoping for a girl; he’s probably more excited than I am.”

She didn’t say much after that but I got the impression she wasn’t happy about having a girl.