Marla wanted to join her coworkers and enjoy teamwork when she began a new job. The crew traditionally halves the cost for Friday lunch. However, Marla earns less and cannot afford these extravagant meals. She instructs her teammates.
After starting my new job, I tried to get along with my colleagues. As a new employee, I understood it was crucial to create strong connections with my coworkers.
I didn’t want to refuse their invitation to join their routines. They went out for lunch every Friday, and I didn’t want to be the only one missing out.
But there was an issue.
Many of my colleagues made more than me. They had worked for the firm for years and made good money, whereas I had just begun and was barely making ends meet. Starting salary had to cover college debts, expenses, and rent.
My colleagues no longer had to worry about them.
We went to these posh restaurants every Friday, even though the prices increased each week.
Always, they wanted to divide the expense equally. At first, I tried to ignore it. I said, “It’s only lunch, right?” However, I felt my money was leaving quicker than expected.
Important: I’m a vegetarian. I order basic, pleasant, light cuisine. Salads or simple dishes are my usual dinners. However, Derek and Tasha, two of my colleagues, consistently ordered the most costly beef.
The most expensive ribs or steak were ordered. Their lunches typically cost over $60. We split the cost 50-50 each week. Because of them, my $15 salad became $35 lunch.
They could afford it, so I understood why they treated themselves. I was silent at first. I believed that was part of fitting in and didn’t want to create any difficulties as the new guy.
I couldn’t handle it after a few months. These meals consumed over half my monthly food budget, yet no one noticed. They would laugh, speak about the weekend, then throw their credit cards on the table when the check arrived without verifying the amount.
When my mom arrived with food bags, she remarked, “Marla,” sincerely. “You must defend yourself. Why squander money on one dinner and struggle the rest of the month?
“No, Mom,” I responded, grabbing her tea donut. “But I don’t want to complicate things since I’m new.”
“How would you complicate things, Marla?” She asked. Due to budget constraints, certain things are impossible. They were once like you.”
I nodded to avoid upsetting her by informing her I had been silent for so long.
I finally got the confidence to speak up one Friday after another lunch when I paid for stuff I hadn’t eaten.
“Hey, everyone, I was thinking,” I stated casually while waiting for the check. “Maybe we could each pay for our order? I eat less than you people, which may be fair.”
Derek shook his head and chuckled.
“Separate bills? Please, Marla, don’t be foolish. This way’s simpler.”
Tasha smiled as she completed her dessert.
Yes, we’re not broke. We’re adults, right? Derek, divide as usual.”
Holding my tongue. I wanted them to know I was suffering. Instead, I smiled and nodded.
“Sure. No problem, I replied.
I felt furious within. Money wasn’t everything. It was how they ignored my worry. Like my viewpoint didn’t matter. As if sitting at the table with them is fortunate.
I knew fighting wouldn’t work. So I changed my approach. I would join in if they wanted to divide the cost equally, but I would make sure it worked for me.
I had more than warm veggies and couscous salad for lunch the next week. I ordered two starters instead. One for myself, one “for the table.” They joyfully ate mozzarella sticks without thinking as usual.
The next Friday, I went farther. I ordered two appetizers and two mains.
Extra mozzarella and crumbed mushrooms. Then lasagna and four-cheese pizza. When the pizza came, I instructed the server to bag it to-go before anybody touched it. Nobody spoke. They may have observed but not spoken out.
Change began in the third week. We ate at our usual place. I ordered two appetizers, two mains, and something new—a dessert. A costly vegan cheesecake was on the menu, so I decided to push it.
“You don’t usually eat this much, Marla,” Derek replied, perplexed.
It seems I’m hungrier nowadays. It must be work stress.”
When the meal arrived, I requested the waitress to box one major dish and one appetizer immediately. This time, Tasha raised an eyebrow when the waiter gave me a well-packed to-go container.
Were you genuinely bringing food home? She queried irritably.
Derek looked at me sharply but remained silent until the check arrived. I saw anxiety as everyone glanced at the total. My lunch was almost $40, therefore everyone else paid about $30 since we shared it.
I almost laughed when they understood what I did.
Derek annoyedly slapped his card on the table.
Are you serious, Marla? You’ve ordered and taken everything home? All of us pay for it? Not even eaten! What’s up?
Just following the rules we’ve always had. Remember we divided evenly? I wanted something more too.”
Tasha grimaced and crossed arms.
“Marla, this isn’t takeout. It should foster teamwork.”
“Yes, but I’ve paid for your food for weeks. Now I do what you did.”
They didn’t speak since they couldn’t dispute the facts. They paid the bill, evidently irritated as they tapped their cards.
I knew things changed by week four. Derek cleared his throat, seeming uncertain, as we sat at our customary booth.
“Hey, maybe we should start doing separate checks now?”
Tasha nodded swiftly.
Yes, it should be easy. Especially if we order different things.”
I smiled without concealing.
“That sounds fair to me,” I answered.
I ordered one appetizer and one main that day. Simple, like before. I volunteered to share the meal, as they did with their large meat dishes.
“Want to try my halloumi sticks?” I requested.
Derek and Tasha shook their heads, clearly unhappy. Since they had to pay for my meal, they didn’t touch it.
After then, everything changed. We abandoned sharing the cost equally. Only then did they discover how much more they were spending.
And I?
Finally, a stress-free lunch. I stuck to my budget by paying for what I ate. I’ll ask for a raise soon, so maybe I won’t worry about money.
I’m OK with salads and green tea for now.
