Thread: When People At Work Say They're Going To TimHortons And Ask If You "Want" Anything...

**Jucius Maximus** · Sep 16th, 2007 08:32 PM

OK this has confused me for a long time.

If someone at work is going to Tim Hortons or similar and they ask you if you "want" anything, are they actually offering to buy it for you as a "gift" or are they basically acting as the delivery service so you can pay them back?

I always said no because I have no idea what the protocol is on this.

**randomdef** · Sep 16th, 2007 08:33 PM

depends if you ever recipocate. one day i will grab it, one day he or she will. if they offer the first time, attempt to pay and they will accept or decline and keep that in mind. if you never do the tim hortons run, never say yes, pick me up something.

**tg82** · Sep 16th, 2007 08:33 PM

it can be either - if you pull out cash and they say no - then its a gift; if they take your cash - they are the delivery boy/girl.

**Tijuana** · Sep 16th, 2007 08:35 PM

sometimes a small coffee woudl generally be offered, but I mean your nto gonna ask for a sandwich

**Rometiklan** · Sep 16th, 2007 08:38 PM

If you're the boss, make him pay for you.

**Firebot** · Sep 16th, 2007 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jucius Maximus

OK this has confused me for a long time.

If someone at work is going to Tim Hortons or similar and they ask you if you "want" anything, are they actually offering to buy it for you as a "gift" or are they basically acting as the delivery service so you can pay them back?

I always said no because I have no idea what the protocol is on this.

Hand money, you'll know pretty quickly if it's meant as a gift or a delivery. I'm usually the guy who offers the runs at work, sometimes it might be a gift, but in general don't expect it.

**ladybug193** · Sep 16th, 2007 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by tg82

it can be either - if you pull out cash and they say no - then its a gift; if they take your cash - they are the delivery boy/girl.

Agreed.
If you'd like something, you should always at least offer to pay for yours. If they say "don't worry about it" then you can always buy him/her one the next time around.

**Cyber6** · Sep 16th, 2007 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jucius Maximus

OK this has confused me for a long time.

If someone at work is going to Tim Hortons or similar and they ask you if you "want" anything, are they actually offering to buy it for you as a "gift" or are they basically acting as the delivery service so you can pay them back?

I always said no because I have no idea what the protocol is on this.

You are being silly. Always hand out some cash, they either take it or not. If they don't take it, remember to return the favor some other time.

C.

**Kinki** · Sep 16th, 2007 09:30 PM

If someone ask you and you want something, offer to pay for it. If refused, just keep that in mind and return a similar favour later on.

**UrbanPoet** · Sep 16th, 2007 10:23 PM

lol! thats a funny question.
IF they ask, and you want something... just whip out some money.
If they say "nono! its okay" then they are what we call in north america in slang terms 'treating'. IF they take it, then they are what you call the 'delivery boy'.

On the other hand... in North american culture it is polite to return the favor if someone 'treats'. for example... If one person offers to 'treat' you, then you must say something like 'hey, thanks. I owe you one!' or 'hey,Next coffees on me.'.

**Kommander_KornFlakes** · Sep 16th, 2007 10:31 PM

Of course you have to pay the guy when he comes back, or better yet give him the money, he's already spending his gas and time doing you a favor.

I buy my foreman coffee sometimes because some days I come in 30 mins late and he doesn't discount it, or lets me go 20 minutes before finishing time.

**Shaner** · Sep 16th, 2007 10:45 PM

Always take out money and offer it. If it's declined, just make sure to remember that and repay them at some point in the near future.

In the case of Tim Hortons, a coffee or donut is ok, never ask for a sandwich, soup, chili, etc. It's one of those unwritten rules. People are offering to pick you up a coffee, not pick you up an entire meal.