AITA for giving a thief diarrhea?
Working as an intern at a general hospital is no easy task, especially when one must contend with constant theft. This 24-year-old intern always brings his own lunch box since hospital food isn’t an option for interns. Yet over the past three months, his carefully prepared meals have been repeatedly stolen—sometimes only the fruit, sometimes the juice, and other times the entire meal along with the containers. One particularly dismal day, when his lunch box was found completely empty, he decided that enough was enough.
Inspired by an online story, he devised a plan to teach the persistent thief a lesson. He purchased the most expensive pudding available and, using a syringe, filled it with laxatives. Not stopping there, he spiked his other food and juice with the same substance, fully expecting that the thief would soon suffer an explosive case of diarrhea.
Ironically, the plan backfired when his boss, a well-compensated professional, ended up with a terrible stomachache. Now, the intern finds himself questioning whether his act of retribution went too far.
‘AITA for giving a thief diarrhea?’
When faced with repeated theft, frustration can push individuals toward drastic actions. In this instance, the intern’s decision to tamper with his own food was driven by the hope of deterring the thief. However, food tampering—no matter how justified it might seem—carries serious ethical and legal risks.
Dr. Scott A. Caldwell, a food safety expert at the University of Georgia, has warned that “Food tampering, even if done as a prank, can lead to unpredictable gastrointestinal reactions and potential legal ramifications.” His caution underscores that retaliatory actions in food handling are fraught with danger.
The ethical implications of this situation extend far beyond personal revenge. By choosing to spike his food with laxatives, the intern risked harming anyone who might consume it, even if they were not the intended target.
In a hospital environment, where safety and trust are paramount, such actions can have ripple effects that damage professional relationships and jeopardize workplace safety. The incident involving his boss—who suffered a severe stomachache—serves as a stark reminder of how personal vendettas can inadvertently affect innocent bystanders.
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
The overall consensus in the Reddit community is that while the intern’s frustration is understandable, his method of retaliation was risky. Many agree that using laxatives in food is a dangerous approach that could have unpredictable outcomes and serious legal consequences. The community advises that, although the desire for revenge is strong, there are safer and more appropriate ways to address recurring theft without endangering others.
In the end, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of letting frustration override reason. While the intern’s actions were intended to protect his belongings and deter theft, the unintended consequences—most notably the harm inflicted on an innocent party—underscore the need for more constructive solutions. How should one handle a situation where repeated theft forces drastic measures? Readers are invited to share their thoughts and experiences in the discussion below.
