Fair Lunch Expense Sharing Dilemma with New Coworker: WIBTA for Addressing Unbalanced Costs?

Our office lunch fund was basically a tiny, unspoken peace treaty. Every week, someone buys for everyone, everyone chips in monthly, and somehow it all feels fair without anyone making a spreadsheet about it.

Then Dave joined the team. He’s nice, he has dietary restrictions, and every time it’s his turn, he goes for expensive, niche restaurants that match his rules. The lunch tab spikes, the fund doesn’t magically grow, and Dave isn’t covering the extra cost on top of his normal contribution, which is where the tension starts leaking into everyday conversations.

Now OP is stuck trying to figure out how to keep the team inclusive without letting Dave’s “specialty lunch” habits quietly drain the group.

Original Post

So I'm (33M) a part of a tight-knit team at work. We have this unspoken rule of taking turns buying lunch for everyone about once a week, and it's worked well for us.

We all contribute some money at the start of each month to a lunch fund, and this covers the costs of these shared meals. It's always been a great way for us to bond and enjoy each other's company.

Recently, a new coworker, Dave (28M), joined our team. Dave seems nice enough, but he's quite particular about what he eats due to dietary restrictions.

Every time it's his turn to buy lunch, he opts for expensive, niche restaurants that cater to his specific dietary needs. As a result, the cost of lunch has significantly increased since Dave came on board.

Not only that, but Dave doesn't contribute extra money to cover the excess costs of his meals. This has caused some tension within the team.

Some coworkers feel that it's unfair for Dave to choose costly options without considering the impact on the lunch fund, while others believe we should accommodate his dietary needs even if it means spending more money. I find myself torn between wanting to be inclusive and feeling frustrated at the financial burden this has placed on the rest of us.

I've been considering bringing up the issue with the team to find a fair solution, but I'm afraid it might create conflict or make Dave feel singled out. WIBTA if I suggest a more equitable way of sharing lunch expenses with Dave?

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This feels like the worker who refused to cover a colleague’s expensive lunch tab.

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The whole system was working fine until Dave’s turn to buy lunch meant expensive niche spots, not the usual easy rotation.

It gets messier because the monthly lunch fund is set, but Dave’s personal dietary choices keep pushing the total higher than everyone else planned for.

OP is watching coworkers split into camps, some saying “accommodate him anyway,” and others saying “Dave should pay for the difference.”

That’s why OP wants to bring up a more equitable way to share costs, but fears it could make Dave feel singled out or start a fight at work.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

Nobody wants to bond over lunch and accidentally turn it into a recurring bill.

For more workplace fallout, see how one employee handled enforcing strict food rules for everyone.