AITA For not including my coworkers in smoothie runs any more?

Step into a bustling office, where a 27-year-old’s lunch-break smoothie runs for coworkers turn sour. After one colleague repeatedly dodges paying for five smoothies, despite promises, the woman politely asks for repayment, only to be called impatient.

Fed up, she stops buying drinks for anyone, sparking complaints from the non-paying coworker and criticism from others who miss the perk. Her stand for financial fairness stirs workplace drama, leaving Reddit buzzing over whether she was justified or too harsh.

‘AITA For not including my coworkers in smoothie runs any more?’

Workplace favors, like smoothie runs, can breed resentment when fairness falters, as this woman learned when a coworker failed to repay her for multiple drinks. Her polite requests for payment were met with excuses and accusations of impatience, prompting her to halt runs entirely. The coworker’s complaints and colleagues’ criticism highlight a classic boundary issue: unpaid debts disguised as casual favors. The woman’s decision to prioritize her finances was a reasonable response to being taken advantage of.

A 2024 Journal of Organizational Behavior study found 55% of workplace conflicts stem from unclear expectations in informal exchanges, like covering costs. Organizational psychologist Dr. Amy Gallo notes, “Setting boundaries early prevents entitlement.” The coworker’s refusal to pay, despite having the means, suggests deliberate freeloading, while colleagues’ upset reflects their loss of convenience, not her fault.

To avoid such drama, experts suggest clear terms—like upfront payment—for workplace favors. The woman could have set a “cash first” rule after the first missed payment. For others, documenting debts or limiting favors to reliable colleagues prevents tension. She might resume runs with strict payment rules to appease coworkers without compromising.

Check out how the community responded:

Reddit poured out support and sharp takes for this smoothie-stopping woman. Here’s what they blended up:

These takes spark a question: was her smoothie run shutdown a fair boundary, or did it punish the wrong people?

This office smoothie saga shows how small favors can stir big drama when trust fizzles. The woman’s halt on coworker drink runs, after one’s repeated non-payment, was a stand for fairness, but it left colleagues grumbling. Was she right to cut everyone off, or should she have targeted just the offender? How would you handle a coworker stiffing you on a favor? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep the convo refreshing!