weekly budgets...

Bogof_Babe

I'd be inclined to say loudly "haven't you got any work to do, because I am rather busy doing what I'm here for?". It's generally those with too much time on their hands who make a nuisance of themselves harrassing people for "their share" of this sort of thing. What's wrong with passing round an envelope for voluntary contributions for the deco's? Same with wedding, leaving, retirement collections - card in envelope, sign, donate and pass it on if wished, or don't sign and don't donate.

I eventually opted out of the secret santa thing simply because I used to get really stressed out trying to think what to buy. I did it the first couple of years, picked people whose tastes I had no idea of both times, and decided never again. I never gave a minute's worry to what people thought - let them get on with it.

lady_fuschia

saintly wrote:

oh she has a very wealthy ex husband who pays the mortage and gives her 2500 per month as well as givin the kids pocket money. she has admitted she onlys works for fun!!

no doubt the secret santa would mean £10 worth of smellies from boots!!!

everyone is avoiding me like the plague already this afternoon an i havent even kicked off, maybe i have some kind of catchable disease because i'm on a budget.

colleague has just got the office decorations out from last year, even she has admitted there is nothin wrong with them, they are only 2 years old!!! wait till nasty c*w gets in work tomorrow and sees them up everywhere, ooh im gettin in early to see her face!!!

In an old (hotel industry) job I used to work with someone who sounds very much like your colleague. She was always criticising everybody's "cheap" clothes, and was incredibly snobby and derogatory whenever anyone wanted to book a wedding or celebration and expressed even a tiny amount of concern about keeping within a budget. She was also pretty good at putting down people's lack of fashion sense, and had a habit shamelessly of flirting with customers, staff and staff partners. She actually made a point of securing dates with two guys I'd been involved with.

I used to let her get to me, even try and keep up to her standards- but one day it occured to me that she didn't go on the dates because she liked the men concerned- she did it to prove to herself she was better than me. And then I realised that was what all her behaviour came down to- just trying to prove to herself that she was better than everyone else. She had better taste, she was better with money, she was more attractive. If someone spends that much energy trying to prove to everyone how much better they are, its usually a sign that deep down they don't believe that they are at all. I'm pretty sure the same is true of your colleague.

saintly_2

£2 per birthday, there 4 this month but one is mine so only have to contribute to 3. The message at the bottom of the email makes me laugh "Please can you donate £2 per person.."

£6 doesnt sound like a lot to people in work and thats what i used to think before gettin into deep doo doo so every penny counts.

LookingAhead

Did you say £2500 a MONTH? And she only works for FUN? And she makes digs at other people who are not as fortunate as her?

If I read that correctly....well....that pretty much says it all about her doesn't it? I can't bring myself to speak of this person any more.

Don't hold back tomorrow saintly....go for the jugular

PercyPig

What a pain Saintly, your colleague sounds horrible.

I agree with the earlier poster who said that all this birthday/leaving present contribution etc has got out of hand. I work because I have to, its not an extension of my social life. I was in tears one afternoon a few weeks ago because I felt pressured into giving some money for someone who was going on maternity leave - I've never spoken to this person ever as far as I can remember. The topic is a bit sensitive to me as I would like to get pregnant too but so far haven't (I'm 38 ) .... sorry to go off topic, its just that this sort of thing really annoys me.

Red_Fraggle_3

Bless her bet she has the best of everything and a good few cc and even better store cards to show for it lol

I used to work somewhere like that - used to bother me at first until I realised my light bulb moment meant in years to come I will be in a better place them - remember season of good will to all mean not to shops

angeluk69_2

I have read this this thread and just uncurled my fists.

I work in a recruitment agency part time. Everyone earns at least £30,000 and has flashy cars, whereas I earn £6000 and have a heap of junk for a car.

One person each day buys lunch for everyone(normally about 4-6 peple, at £1.50 per person), and to date I have only bought lunch a couple of times, when I have not had time to make my lunch at home.

The first few weeks, I took my own lunches and this wasn't a problem til the boss's wife who works there piped up 'when are you going to buy everyone lunch? Its your turn.'

I stood there in utter disbelief as me made me feel really stoopid (she always tries to make me look like an idiot) and so I said that I wasn't buying lunches as I bring my own and don't ask for anyone to get me anything. She then turned round and said 'what are you, poor or something?' and she laughed and made sure that everyone heard what she had said.

My response 'NO NOT POOR, BUT I LIKE TO BE CAREFUL WITH MY MONEY!!!'

I have also been asked to various nights out, and because I live approx 10 miles from eevryone else and where they like to go out, plus I am the only driver in my household I can never go. they don't understand that I need notice before a night out, because i have to organise a taxi and money.


Saintly, stick to your guns and tell this biatch to get a life!!!

saintly_2

yep thats right £2500 per month for her and her 3 kids!!! no mortagage to pay out, a million new clothes every month, the toyboy and yes she said she works for fun!!!

LookingAhead

Words fail. Well actually they don't but they are none too constructive/objective...and way too rude for here!

Next time she says anything, as well as giving her what for...imagine her on a gold plated (very tacky) toilet with a pink fluffy toilet roll holder.

climbgirl

Birthday/leaving/maternity/sponsorship/whatever gifts do get out of hand.

So just opt out. There's a girl at my work who told everyone at the start of the year that she wasn't taking part because she didn't want to pay that much money and wasn't bothered about not receiving anything herself, so that was that. Will be following her lead next year too. If you make it clear you expect nothing yourself, I don't see what the problem is.

Don't let yourself be pressured. You don't need to make a scene but just say that you're not taking part and state whatever reason you want to give.

They can't force you to give money. Someone started giving me grief because I didn't give any money to whatever charity they were collecting for. I just told her I gave to charities already and that was enough. And then when she started to respond, I cut her off and said I'd given my reason, that I was busy and could she carry on with the next person.