Foo - My coworker stole my gift giving idea

outdated.

Duct tape & cubicle come to mind. :D

http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/topten/index.html#office%20anchor

what a jerk! avoid him.

outdated.

What if he innocently asks to go to lunch? Just say I'm busy?

Should I mention it to him?
I wouldn't bother with him....just tell him you're busy often enough and NEVER give him ideas again. He'll only use them for his gain and nobody else's. :rolleyes:

- i've run across this before... my problem is that i never give a straight answer right off the bat... i might have said something like, "Oh, a nice crisp Franklin in a card can definitely guarantee a raise next year!"

:-)

About a week before Xmas, my coworker, the new guy, mosied down to my office and felt me out for whether I thought "we" should do something for our 2 bosses, or what the custom was around the office for gift giving. I said I wasn't sure, but I didn't want him to think I was a prick "hiding the ball" so I went ahead and told him I planned to give each a bottle of wine and a card.

Well, the last day before Xmas weekend, he shows up in the morning and gives each of the bosses the EXACT same gift! He even beat me to it. The only silver lining is the dipstick didn't wrap them up at all...just set 'em on the desk.

Was he blatantly stabbing me in the back, stealing my idea and trying to make it look like I stole his idea? Or did he just lack imagination? I have been trying to help him out as the new guy, but when people pull crap like this it makes me question whether to even associate with them. Not sure if his motives were sinister or merely tactless.

What would you do in this situation?

I'd say imagination, probably didn't know what to do. Just be careful what you say around him and let this go.

Did the bosses say anything?

I think he was trying to figure out what was appropriate when he asked you, and just thought he was doing what was normal. I really don't think he was trying to stab you in the back, sounds to me like he was just trying to fit in.

About a week before Xmas, my coworker, the new guy, mosied down to my office and felt me out for whether I thought "we" should do something for our 2 bosses, or what the custom was around the office for gift giving. I said I wasn't sure, but I didn't want him to think I was a prick "hiding the ball" so I went ahead and told him I planned to give each a bottle of wine and a card.
If he asks about birthdays, "Bosses Day", etc., suggest a present that you know your bosses definitely won't like. Maybe that will cure him.

Eh? He asked your advice on something, you gave it, and he followed it. Now he's the most unpopular person in the office?

I think you need to get on with life instead of letting something like that get up ya nose.

Let it go, but remember, it's a good bit of information to save away.

I guarantee it will come in handy some day.

Could be just the new guy trying to fit in, could be someone who will do this all the time specifically for his own gain and to make others look bad. Too little info really to know for now. I'd keep a watchful eye on how he does things in the future and make your assessment on a more complete picture.

Is he a direct competitor to you in your job?

Next time...

"Oh we get them strippers every year. They love it..."

:p

outdated.

What would you do in this situation?


I would have told him to give them each a package of Summers Eve and a card saying: "Here's a scale model of you. Merry Christmas, The New Guy"

Hide your work so he doesn't copy that too.

I hope you suggested something cheap like Purple Moon Siraz.

I'm sorry, but that was a pretty ******bag thing to do. I wouldn't jump to conclusions and dislike him, but I would be at least a little leary about trust.

If he asks about birthdays, "Bosses Day", etc., suggest a present that you know your bosses definitely won't like. Maybe that will cure him.

"See, Jim, the boss has a little problem with himself and is really very embarassed to get what he needs himself. So, every gift-giving opportunity, we get him what he needs and pretend it didn't happen."
"What's that, Tom?"
"Well, he has an abnormally small penis. So we buy him bulk boxes of extra-extra-small condoms and wrap them up. Over the years, we've taken to wrapping the boxes in duct tape just to get a rise out of him."
"Great ides, Tom! You're a real life saver!"

Keep a box of XXS condoms in your desk drawer for convincing effect...