Eating Potatoes At Work: AITA For The Sexy Way I Enjoy Them

A 28-year-old woman is just trying to eat lunch at her desk, and somehow it turns into a workplace drama about potatoes. Not “I spilled sauce everywhere” drama, not “your lunch smells weird” drama, but a full-on accusation that her bite-by-bite potato routine is, somehow, sexy.

Here’s the setup: OP microwaves sweet potatoes or regular potatoes, then eats them hot-dog style, usually while staring at her screen. She’s done it her whole life, her Japanese parents taught her that way, and nobody ever said a word. Then a new coworker starts pulling her aside, claiming OP eats potatoes too suggestively, and insists everyone else is just “too polite” to complain.

OP asks coworkers what she’s doing wrong, and the answers are basically, “Wait, what?”

Original Post

Final update (posted in another subreddit): https://www.reddit.com/r/FuckYouKaren/comments/jmvcxu/sexy_potatoes_karen/ Update in comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/jdnt43/aita_for_eating_sexy_potatoes/g9hn8la?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&utm_context=3 I was told for some reason the update isn't showing up through the link, so I've pasted it at the bottom of this text (it's long, so I apologize) #######OP######## It honestly feels ridiculous that I have to post this, but my coworker has been getting onto me about this for weeks now, so I have to ask. My whole life, I've been eating potatoes by microwaving them, then biting into them, eating them hot-dog style.This is the easiest, most convenient, and intuitive way for me to eat potatoes (sweet potatoes or regular). I think this is how people in Japan eat them, or at least, this is how I was taught by my Japanese parents to eat them.Whenever I go to a grocery store, I always pick out the most easily biteable potatoes, which are generally longer and thinner than most potatoes. So, I work in an office of about 30 people.We all typically bring our own lunch, and I usually just eat at my desk while doing work. No one has ever commented on how I eat potatoes, but I do eat them quite frequently.Recently, a new person was hired, and she clearly has a problem with the way I eat potatoes. A couple of times, she pulled me aside and asked me to just eat potatoes in a more normal way.I asked her what she meant, and she said I was eating potatoes too suggestively. I was a little shocked because I literally just have my eyes glued to my screen whenever I'm eating and barely pay attention to how I eat.I told her no one else seemed to have a problem with the way I eat potatoes, but she insisted others were just too polite to say anything. I asked a few other coworkers who were all just as confused as I was about what she was saying.I figured no one else really had a problem with it. But this happened multiple times.She kept coming to me and asking me to tone down the way I eat, even accusing me of going out of my way to choose sexy potatoes (????). I've considered bringing them another way, but this is just the easiest way for me to eat them, and they're honestly delicious like this to me.I asked her to maybe just not watch me eat, but apparently, that's just not feasible. Unfortunately, she reported me, and now I have a meeting with HR next week.This seems really dumb to me, but AITA for eating sexy potatoes??? Edit: Thank you for the gold!And thank you to everyone who gave tips on how to approach HR! I will update after the meeting.Edit 2: Please stop asking me for videos of me eating potatoes. It's creepy and weird.And also would be extremely boring and the least sexy thing you'll ever watch. Edit 3: Because I've gotten a ton of comments asking how to microwave a potato: scrub the potato thoroughly with a sponge to remove dirt. Stab the potato with a fork or knife all over.Then put it in the microwave for about 5 minutes (more or less depending on the size of the potato and power of the microwave). Then flip and do the same thing.To tell if it's done, poke through the center with a knife or fork. You can generally tell how soft it is by stabbing through it (the texture will be relatively intuitive).Make sure you let the potato cool for at least 10 minutes (potentially longer) or it'll be too hot to eat. When you're ready to consume, I usually hold it wrapped around a napkin.I'm sacrilegious, so I eat the skin, but you don't have to. I'll sometimes add butter to regular potatoes, but I normally just sprinkle some salt as I eat it.For sweet potatoes, I just eat them as is. Either way, you'll probably need to drink water or some liquid with it.Enjoy! ______________________________ UPDATE: So, I had a couple of meetings with HR.The first one was on my own yesterday morning alone with the HR woman." Not going to lie.After hearing those accusations, I was honestly pretty scared. Sexual harassment is a really serious charge.I was allegedly making lewd gestures while eating, despite repeatedly being asked to stop. I told her exactly what had happened.I was eating potatoes the same way I always had in the four years I've worked in this office. No one else had ever had a problem with this until now.The new coworker (let's call her Karen) approached me, telling me I was eating potatoes inappropriately and told me to eat them another way. I had explained to her that this was how I grew up eating them and would not stop.If it bothered her, she could (and should) look away. I continued eating potatoes this way, then over the next several weeks, she kept complaining about my potatoes every time I ate them this way.As I explained my side, I could tell HR was getting really annoyed. I don't think she believed that this was all there was to it.She pressed for more information: "Are you sure you didn't do anything to make her believe you were being inappropriate?" "Are you sure you weren't harassing her, even unintentionally?" I told her I never even talked to her unless it was about work or if she approached me first. HR thanked me for coming in and told me she'd get back to me.I think she met with Karen after that. Then later in the day, we had a meeting with the three of us.Karen says that I lied about not doing anything to make her uncomfortable. That after the first time she came to me, asking me to eat my potatoes differently, I dismissed it as a joke (which, to be fair, I did because, um,...deadass???).Which I acknowledged because, who wouldn't take it as a joke? Then she claimed that after each time she asked me to tone it down, I escalated by choosing increasingly sexy potatoes to eat in front of her, by which point, I'm pretty sure HR was trying hard not to roll her eyes.I responded by telling Karen I literally gave zero thought about her when I bought my potatoes and selected them based on ease of cooking/eating. She accused me of making eye contact with her while I was eating, which I think I did every time SHE watched ME eat because it's really uncomfortable having someone watch me eat.Which I explained, and told her I had repeatedly asked her to stop watching me eat. She then pointed out that no one else eats potatoes this way, and the only reason I would do so is to try to be provocative.Which I swear to God, HR almost laughed at her. I just showed her a video of Japanese people eating potatoes with their hands and biting into them.HR knows me and knows I'm not the type to harass someone or deliberately make a hostile work environment, and at the end, she just said something like, "I'm sorry about the misunderstanding. Perhaps it really would be best to look another way while your coworker is eating." Basically trying to politely tell Karen to get her head out of her ass.Then Karen tried to turn it around by claiming I was creating a hostile work environment by telling our other coworkers bad things about her. But literally all I had done was ask others if they were uncomfortable with the way I eat and explain why I had asked them.She tried yet ANOTHER angle, claiming that the way I ate them (with my hands) was a COVID risk, and that I was putting the safety of the office in jeopardy by eating this way. HR then said that if she was so concerned, she was welcome to work from home, as is currently company policy (I work in hardware, so it's harder for me to work from home, but Karen works in support, so it would be really easy for her to work from home).Eventually, Karen had to concede she had nothing left, so we were all dismissed. Later, I talked to my coworker who had stopped bringing curry because of Karen (let's call him Surya) about the problems I had with her.He had been unable to eat his regular Indian lunches in the office because of her. We were both extremely annoyed, and honestly, I just felt extremely uncomfortable being in an office where she was constantly judging Asian people's food.So, I decided to file a report with HR, as suggested by many of you. I pointed out how she was harassing Asian people for their food choices and many of her comments towards me were bordering on sexual harassment.Surya agreed to bring curry for lunch today, and in solidarity, I brought some too (along with my potatoes). Karen didn't comment at all, but she did give us dirty looks and made disgusted faces a few times.I actually got called into a meeting this afternoon with my boss, who is also one of the founders of the company. He confessed that he didn't like Karen either and that she had multiple complaints about her within the first month of her being hired (she's been here just under two).And that he had hired her as a favor to his wife because she is his wife's cousin and had lost her job due to COVID (I wonder why they chose to let her go...). He apologized to me on her behalf and assured me that he would talk to her.I decided to keep my harassment claim with HR and have another meeting tomorrow. We'll see how this goes.Thank you all for your tips and suggestions! I will keep eating sexy potatoes for the foreseeable future :)

The situation surrounding the unconventional consumption of potatoes in the office highlights how easily misunderstandings can arise in informal workplace dynamics. The original poster's choice to eat microwaved potatoes "hot-dog style" may seem quirky to some, but it has sparked significant discontent among coworkers. This tension underscores how behaviors that might be intended as lighthearted or humorous can quickly be misinterpreted, leading to conflict rather than camaraderie.

In settings where personal expression is encouraged, the boundaries of acceptable behavior can become hazy. What one person views as a playful take on snack time, another may see as inappropriate. This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in maintaining a comfortable work environment, particularly when humor and individual quirks intersect with professional norms.

Comment from u/CarterPFly

Comment from u/Throwawayhr1031

That’s when the new hire begins “correcting” OP, even though OP is literally eating with her eyes on her monitor.

Moreover, the impact of personal expression in the workplace should be approached with caution.

Finding a balance between personal expression and professional decorum is essential for maintaining a positive work environment.

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Comment from u/Pooky582

When complaints arise, it's crucial to address them in a constructive manner.

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Comment from u/[deleted]

OP compares notes with other coworkers, and the whole office looks equally confused by the accusation.

Creating a shared understanding of workplace norms can enhance overall team dynamics and productivity.

This is like the argument where a mom refused a family reunion because newborns needed sleep.

Comment from u/Yuzucha

Comment from u/sparkleghostx

Humor in the workplace, as illustrated by the uproar over how OP enjoys their potatoes, can be a tricky balancing act. The situation raises questions about the appropriate boundaries of humor among coworkers. In this case, what might be intended as lighthearted fun by OP is perceived by others as crossing a line into discomfort. The peculiar method of eating potatoes hot-dog style may seem harmless at first glance, but it highlights the importance of being aware of the context in which such quirks are shared. Maintaining a respectful workplace atmosphere requires sensitivity to how humor is received, especially when it involves unconventional food habits that can easily become the subject of office gossip.

Comment from u/betoexpress1

Comment from u/Smoopiebear

OP tries to figure out whether she’s missing something about her “hot-dog style” potato method, or if this is just a Karen problem.

Ultimately, fostering a culture of respect is essential for navigating workplace conflicts.

By addressing misunderstandings with empathy and clarity, organizations can create a more harmonious work environment.

Comment from u/Matir

Comment from u/Not-okay-01

We're curious to hear your perspective. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Comment from u/MurphysLaw1995

Comment from u/spaniel_rage

Comment from u/pseudotsuganym

Comment from u/C3ntrick

Comment from u/artemis1860

Now OP is stuck in the middle of workplace politeness and a coworker who thinks microwave potatoes are flirting.

The peculiar situation surrounding the consumption of potatoes in the office highlights the delicate balance of personal expression and workplace decorum. The OP’s choice to eat microwaved potatoes in a hot-dog style has ignited an unexpected debate, revealing how even mundane actions can spark conflict among colleagues.

As the drama unfolds, it becomes evident that fostering open communication is essential in addressing such quirky grievances.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the nuances of workplace interactions. Acknowledging the diverse ways individuals express themselves can lead to a more harmonious and productive atmosphere, where creativity is celebrated rather than scrutinized.

OP might be the only person in that office who thinks potatoes are just potatoes.

After your coworkers’ “sexy potatoes” drama, see why one sibling wanted to sell the childhood home.