I 22f ate kimchi in my main teachers classroom during lunch (no students or teacher) as a para. When the teacher and 2nd grade class came back, they all started panicking saying it smelled horrible and the teacher ran and opened the window and doors. Some kids even grabbed their noses…. I felt horrible.
A month ago, I had been eating it in another room, but then everyone was complaining of a “smell” and I started worrying it was my kimchi, but threw it off as they claimed the smell lingered ALL day, and I doubted that it was from my kimchi.
I feel horrible. I eat it because it helps my gut health and I have chronic stomach issues, but I feel so deeply ashamed now Everytime I want to eat it at work (I don’t eat till I get to work).
YTA. Smelly food is for home and well ventilated areas. It’s why you don’t put a fish dish in a shared microwave either.
YTA.
Don’t bring strong smelling foods for lunch. It’s a universal unspoken rule in any professional environment – sometimes it’s even a real rule. No fish in the microwave, don’t burn the popcorn, and nothing you eat should have an aroma that lingers, especially fermented foods.
Have it with dinner instead.
I wouldn’t call you an asshole but generally there are things you don’t bring in for lunches, at least in the US. I was cooking a lot of salmon, but avoiding bringing it for lunches because microwaved fish lingers.
I’d say there’s a general rule to avoid fish, kimchi, fermented foods, very strong spices in lunches or anything with a scent that folks might find unpleasant (especially if you’ll be microwaving it, which wasn’t the case with the kimchi).
Sorry, yta. Kimchi STINKS
YTA if you keep bringing it. Eat it at home.
YTA. It’s easy to become nose blind to smells that we are used to and forget how strong these smells are to others. As a general rule, I leave the fermented or heavily fish sauce dishes for home along with actual fish.
I think the fact that they smelled it without even seeing you eat it gives you your answer, unfortunately.
Though I wouldn’t call you an *asshole*, we live and learn. Just save it for eating at home.
Is there an outside area where you could enjoy your kimchi and some fresh air? I’m sorry you’re being made to feel this way over literal fermented vegetables though, maybe there’s a way for you to enjoy it guilt free outside!
YTA. You can eat it in the car. I love kimchi but wouldn’t think to eat it at work. Plus you can eat it at home, your gut issues don’t require a noon time feeding only.
This is a weird comment section. Kimchi is not horrendous smelling enough to panic and open all the windows and doors as if you’ve let off a fart bomb.
However, is there anywhere else you should or could be eating? A teachers lounge or elsewhere that the paras and teachers eat? It can be distracting to smell food in an area set for learning. (I still stand that you shouldn’t be running around saying the place smelled horrible after kimchi which is essentially spicy pickled vegetables.)
I’m gonna say NTA.
YTA but I totally get what you mean. It’s a home food, sadly. I LOVE kimchi, but I know it can be very pungent. Be sad for those people that they won’t ever experience the delicious, fermented perfection of kimchi.
Funny story: My friends and I often rent cabins in the woods around our state. One time, I had been out on a walk and when I returned, some people were making food and I said, “oh my god, what is that amazing smell?!” And everyone was like of course,(my name) was going to love the smell, it’s kimchi rice. But everyone else walked in and was like oh god what’s that horrible fishy fart smell lmao
it’s evident you don’t think of others *one fucking bit*
YTA.