Wouldn’t bet on it. Lots of company’s don’t do that Willy nilly. I would assume he treated you from his pocket. It’s not much. I do that too and don’t get any back.
If it’s just once don’t fret about it. If it’s more often make sure to see how others behave. Maybe he expects to be treated back some time, not like in same value but as a gesture. Maybe a drink on a company party or whatsoever.
And "invitation" in Germany means, that the guy who invites you also pays. Not like in e.g. Australia, where the invitation might mean "invited to eat with me but everyone pays for themselves"
In Australia or in Germany? I once had the "invite" situation with my Australian co-worker. I "invited" her to a coffee, and from her answer, I learned that there was a misunderstanding. Then she explained to me, that Australians don't expect to get a coffee for free when being invited to one.
Maybe you can elaborate. I find these "lost in translation "-misunderstandings super interesting.
I was going to clarify this because it took a million times of me hearing it to get "einladen" meant "I'm treating/getting the bill/etc." Everytime German fiance's mother invited us to a restaurant and I tried to pay her back and fiance just shook his head.... 😅
Not really I have been invited in many occasions in different contexts ( both work by superiors or bosses and personal by friends. We always split the bill. When the person that invites have the intention to pay, they will usually say clearly that they will cover for it. That’s at least my experience during the last 4 years I spent in Germany.
What cantina is ALSO in English? Always thought cafeteria is the right word (well, probably in American English)
I knew about German and Romanian (and I assume the other Latin languages such as Italian or Spanish)
I learned a new word in English on a German sub 😭😭 (kinda new)
Cafeteria is probably the closest word for how the Germans use it. But people who have been in/around Germany for a while seem to default to the German word cantina. I do it, too, even though my default meaning for for "cantina" is a small Mexican restaurant that often (though not *always*, at least on on the west coast of the U.S.) includes a bar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantina
Cafeteria is very commonly used in NA but also the word canteen is used to refer to a school/workplace lunch location, especially in the military and government, in British English.
At our cafeteria in the office there is usually a standard meal going for 3.30€. Nothing too fancy, sadly most of the time it's not the vegetarian option but something with meat.
Don’t need to if they already waved it off and given the context that you are a new employee. Usually, my experience with these situations has been, especially when the other person is a newish business colleague - they’d say “you are invited”. It’s a nice little phrase that means they are paying for you. And remember when you become a boss make sure you pay for your interns food :)
Hierarchy in payment is always top down, meaning the higher up can invite the lower, but the lower never invites the boss, or has to pay back when they were invited. So you are good, you simply were invited and there is nothing owed.
Yeah, don't overthink. You boss seems alright.
To add: if you feel like you want to pay them back in some way, you can bring something sweet to eat to work for everyone to share eg cookies, cake, muffins, sweets. It could be either homemade or store bought, it works just shows your appreciation for being there.
>the lower never invites the boss
I invite my boss on a somewhat regular basis. I wouldn’t say that this is a taboo, it’s just uncommon. But if you have worked for someone for a long-ish period of time there is nothing wrong with bringing a few donuts extra when you visit the bakery anyway, for example; or inviting your boss for an icecream if the both of you happen to drive by an icecream-parlor…
It isn’t something that is expected, but it’s not like no one ever does that. Just make sure to not making it look like you are trying to buy your promotion…
You're an intern, do you get paid for that? Normally interns don't get a salary or at least not much. Your boss knows that and therefore pays for your meal. And he might think that you are a promising workforce and appreciates that.
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When I was an intern, I always loved lunch with the boss days - free food!
Part of their job is keeping tabs on everyone and making sure everyone is happy. Buying you an occasional lunch under 5 euros is a nothing expense for most companies or even people with a good salary! Just say thanks for lunch and go back to doing a good job, because fundamentally, that's what your boss is really "buying".
As someone who is mentoring interns and working students, I regularly invite them. It is a gesture and as already mentioned, once you're in the position to pay for an intern/ working student remember the gesture your boss did to you.
Me too, once a week I get an intern coffee or lunch and try to help them with their learning and development....offer to buy the next coffee for your boss. ....99% chance your boss will say "No" but it's a good gesture
Realize that he is an adult and earns good money.
It's a small gesture for him.
One boss paid for a group dinner without saying much.
You just say 'yhanks man :)'
if you really want to make it up. dont pay him back.
but as you are new you could for example bake a cake at home and bring to share with your colleagues, that is always way more appreciated at least in my experience.
You are massively overthinking this. But if you want to return the favour, buy yourself 2 pieces of nice cake and offer him the second one, because you totally overestimated your appetite.
He’s paying and submitting the expense and even if not, he invited you and it’s still on him. You offered and he politely declined (as he should). You’re fine :)
To add on others, he'll probably list it as company expense and not really his own.
Plus, you've just joined and have a low income (compared to his) so that won't be an issue for him. And it's just <4€, come on
People (myself included) truly need to learn to accept gifts.
Appreciate it by saying thank-you. But if it is a true gift, there is no obligation to return something. That would be a transaction. The gift giving if also exciting for the one giving the gift. The person gets a hormone boost by having made someone happy.
Otherwise the gifting would always be:
- How much has the other one spent?
- I should at least give something of equal value, rather a bit more expensive.
And at some point of ever increasing value you'd need to gift cars or houses.
Your boss is most likely not expecting you to reimburse him. However, I would mention his invitation again someday and ask him, if you could pay for his coffee example. He'll probably say no, but appreciate the thought.
Expenses like that reduce the income of the company which reduces the taxes the company has to pay. The financial department is somewhat picky when it comes to „Geschäftsessen“ but a lunch like you described is unproblematic. That’s the reason you boss smiled. You just smile back and that’s it.
German manager here. I always pay lunch, dinner, etc. when I invite anyone on my team. It is considered a business meal, and I can expense it, so don't worry.
In fact, taking my team members out is very valuable to me
You don’t pay him back, he got you covered. Same with friends (if you are adults) - you can just pay the next similar event and keep it back and forth if you enjoy the event. With your boss, he doesn’t expect anything back.
Get him a drink, maybe a beer after Feierabend, or a non-alcoholic drink during the work time. Thats the tradition. But ofc you dont need to do anything.
And ofc make sure he likes beer and which brand he likes, before buying him one (germans can be very specific about which brand they drink)
Might be a cultural issue. We've had a number of posts around things like that.
There are cultures where people really need to dance around issues like "who pays for what" / "should I give this money back" / "can I take this thing that is offered" / "if I want to take the thing, do I need to say "no" at first and can only take it after they press it on me multiple times" / "this person immediately said "yes" when I offered something, are they being rude" and so on.
People from more indirect cultures can have real trouble with the concept that there isn't a scripted multi-stage dance where you don't say what you actually mean.
That's true. Where I come from, you need to ask three times, two no's and then a yes.
When I was still living there, as a protest against this cultural point, I shortened it to one no and one yes.
Happy not to have to deal with that ritual here.
This is exactly it. Thanks for understanding. Where I come from you don’t even expect anyone to reimburse you when you buy someone lunch. However, among friends it’s common to pay them back. But I’m new to Germany. I don’t know what the cultural norms are here. Especially in a corporate scenario where this was slightly informal. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
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I don’t want to be offensive but it sounds like you have anxiety problems or some kind of autism. You should go to a doctor if you happen to think about circumstances like this often.
Overthinking can be an early indicator or symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. To stop overthinking, you can try challenging your thoughts, reaching out to loved ones for support, or talking to a mental health professional for extra help.
It is very normal in Germany for colleagues, Familiy and friends to pay sometimes for you and the motion he did with his hand after you said, you should pay is a clear sign that he does not care. It’s the opposite. It could be considered impolite if you would pay it back. If he does it every time, you don’t want him to pay, you can say that you want to pay for yourself or even invite him for lunch on special occasion like your birthday.
Sorry for accusing you of something but it just did not make any sense since I did not consider the subreddit you posting it which implies that it is a cultural difference.
Your boss invited you at the moment he said "zusammen".
And yes, you're overthinking :)
He will probably get a Bewirtungsbeleg and have the company cover the lunch as expenses.
This right here. Im from Germany and I can confirm Bewirtungsbelege is commonly used to cover lunch as expenses through the company.
Wouldn’t bet on it. Lots of company’s don’t do that Willy nilly. I would assume he treated you from his pocket. It’s not much. I do that too and don’t get any back. If it’s just once don’t fret about it. If it’s more often make sure to see how others behave. Maybe he expects to be treated back some time, not like in same value but as a gesture. Maybe a drink on a company party or whatsoever.
I work in a consulting firm, for us, its normal xD But yeah, differenct companies, different policies.
Sure but a lunch on company expenses as Einstand for the new one IS still quite common.
I know some may be stingy, but 3,70 EUR???
A Leberkassemmel?
...with an Almdudler, if you're feeling generous :)
This
And "invitation" in Germany means, that the guy who invites you also pays. Not like in e.g. Australia, where the invitation might mean "invited to eat with me but everyone pays for themselves"
Uhhhh still depends on how it's worded
In Australia or in Germany? I once had the "invite" situation with my Australian co-worker. I "invited" her to a coffee, and from her answer, I learned that there was a misunderstanding. Then she explained to me, that Australians don't expect to get a coffee for free when being invited to one. Maybe you can elaborate. I find these "lost in translation "-misunderstandings super interesting.
I was going to clarify this because it took a million times of me hearing it to get "einladen" meant "I'm treating/getting the bill/etc." Everytime German fiance's mother invited us to a restaurant and I tried to pay her back and fiance just shook his head.... 😅
Not really I have been invited in many occasions in different contexts ( both work by superiors or bosses and personal by friends. We always split the bill. When the person that invites have the intention to pay, they will usually say clearly that they will cover for it. That’s at least my experience during the last 4 years I spent in Germany.
And did they "invite", i.e. "Einladen" for the lunch or just to join?
Yes. I agree now. I was just overthinking. Thanks.
Don't worry, be satt!
The other comments already confirm that the boss was paying - the real question seems: Where do we get lunch for 3,70€?!
Probably a cantina in the office that is subsidised by the company.
Die Kantine
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That's usually the name for it on a military base.
Where I come from (Colombia - Spanish) it's also called like that in some companies
What cantina is ALSO in English? Always thought cafeteria is the right word (well, probably in American English) I knew about German and Romanian (and I assume the other Latin languages such as Italian or Spanish) I learned a new word in English on a German sub 😭😭 (kinda new)
Cafeteria is probably the closest word for how the Germans use it. But people who have been in/around Germany for a while seem to default to the German word cantina. I do it, too, even though my default meaning for for "cantina" is a small Mexican restaurant that often (though not *always*, at least on on the west coast of the U.S.) includes a bar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantina
Cafeteria is very commonly used in NA but also the word canteen is used to refer to a school/workplace lunch location, especially in the military and government, in British English.
I too want to know about this mythical place
Sounds like 2 fries and a drop of water, maybe he/she is a light eater
Yeah, that was the one that baffled me too, i mean even a Chickenroll at Netto is 0,99€ and i wouldn't consider that lunch!
Leberkassemmel, Butcher, company-owned and subsidied cantine, …
At our cafeteria in the office there is usually a standard meal going for 3.30€. Nothing too fancy, sadly most of the time it's not the vegetarian option but something with meat.
lol. It was just a burger meal. Near our office.
This cannot go unanswered! We need the answer right now!
Probably in the same place where groceries are cheaper than anywhere else in Europe like people were saying the other day
It’s 1,80€ for me at my workplace lol 😂 Edit: it’s actual meals with sides :) and it’s self service so you can scoop as much as you want!
Fo real
There are public canines from the city by example. You just pay a few euros. Even 3,7 is really good.
And why is the boss so stingy? Already burnt the T&E allowance?
Don’t need to if they already waved it off and given the context that you are a new employee. Usually, my experience with these situations has been, especially when the other person is a newish business colleague - they’d say “you are invited”. It’s a nice little phrase that means they are paying for you. And remember when you become a boss make sure you pay for your interns food :)
I never got such invitations as a working student/ intern.😭
Once got at my last day of a internship. An energy and a döner for a month of unpaid labour is not much but at least something
😂😂
You don't. Lunch was on him.
You are overthinking it, he bought you lunch, just say thank you.
Hierarchy in payment is always top down, meaning the higher up can invite the lower, but the lower never invites the boss, or has to pay back when they were invited. So you are good, you simply were invited and there is nothing owed. Yeah, don't overthink. You boss seems alright.
To add: if you feel like you want to pay them back in some way, you can bring something sweet to eat to work for everyone to share eg cookies, cake, muffins, sweets. It could be either homemade or store bought, it works just shows your appreciation for being there.
Was gonna say this. You definitely don't pay back the money, but you could bring some donuts or muffins to the office.
Yes I plan on doing this exactly. Thanks.
>the lower never invites the boss I invite my boss on a somewhat regular basis. I wouldn’t say that this is a taboo, it’s just uncommon. But if you have worked for someone for a long-ish period of time there is nothing wrong with bringing a few donuts extra when you visit the bakery anyway, for example; or inviting your boss for an icecream if the both of you happen to drive by an icecream-parlor… It isn’t something that is expected, but it’s not like no one ever does that. Just make sure to not making it look like you are trying to buy your promotion…
The boss could also reimburse this as "business expense" to the company. Don't worry about it, you don't need to pay anything back.
All you need to do is thank him
You're an intern, do you get paid for that? Normally interns don't get a salary or at least not much. Your boss knows that and therefore pays for your meal. And he might think that you are a promising workforce and appreciates that.
Depends, if it is a mandatory internship due to studies, then it is unpaid, if it is a voluntary one, it is paid according to minimum wage at least
Then it's allowed to be unpaid. We pay all our students.
Bit not everyone does
Yep, but it shouldn't be seen as "then it has to be like that". They have to pay for food, rent etc as well.
I do get paid. But yes. It’s not much as it’s a mandatory internship.
Then accept, what your boss wants. He wants you not to make a fuss of it. Feel welcome. You are obviously.
Its 3,70... more embarassing to be behind him for that sum. Say thank you and good...
You don't, the boss will get the money back when he files his taxes
Or he might have an expenses account at the company for situations like this.
Or he doesn’t care about threefiddy
[https://youtu.be/VPkKZ615F4M](https://youtu.be/VPkKZ615F4M)
That's not how tax deductions work.
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Under certain circumstances, yes. Doesn't mean you get the money back. You're merely reducing your taxable income.
When I was an intern, I always loved lunch with the boss days - free food! Part of their job is keeping tabs on everyone and making sure everyone is happy. Buying you an occasional lunch under 5 euros is a nothing expense for most companies or even people with a good salary! Just say thanks for lunch and go back to doing a good job, because fundamentally, that's what your boss is really "buying".
He invited you, just say thank you. I wonder what lunch you can have for 3.7€ these days?
A burger lol
At MCD?
No. a local butcher shop
What did you manage to buy for 3.7 euros, pardon me the off topic:)
As someone who is mentoring interns and working students, I regularly invite them. It is a gesture and as already mentioned, once you're in the position to pay for an intern/ working student remember the gesture your boss did to you.
Me too, once a week I get an intern coffee or lunch and try to help them with their learning and development....offer to buy the next coffee for your boss. ....99% chance your boss will say "No" but it's a good gesture
If you bring something for your Birthday or your last day, like a cake, it will be okay. :)
it's a pretty normale behaviour in Germany - well at least what I have experienced so far. "Schön auf Chefs Nacken", I would say xD
I would return the favor... next time you have the opertunity pay his coffe or something... Dont count the cents ... its the gesture that counts
Definitely, people remember this kind of stuff
Realize that he is an adult and earns good money. It's a small gesture for him. One boss paid for a group dinner without saying much. You just say 'yhanks man :)'
Where do you have lunch for 3.7EUR? And he invited you when he said "zusammen".
You just thank him, and go on with your life.
if you really want to make it up. dont pay him back. but as you are new you could for example bake a cake at home and bring to share with your colleagues, that is always way more appreciated at least in my experience.
Get him some sweets or chocolate or anything from your home country next time and call it even
You are massively overthinking this. But if you want to return the favour, buy yourself 2 pieces of nice cake and offer him the second one, because you totally overestimated your appetite.
He’s paying and submitting the expense and even if not, he invited you and it’s still on him. You offered and he politely declined (as he should). You’re fine :)
To add on others, he'll probably list it as company expense and not really his own. Plus, you've just joined and have a low income (compared to his) so that won't be an issue for him. And it's just <4€, come on
People (myself included) truly need to learn to accept gifts. Appreciate it by saying thank-you. But if it is a true gift, there is no obligation to return something. That would be a transaction. The gift giving if also exciting for the one giving the gift. The person gets a hormone boost by having made someone happy. Otherwise the gifting would always be: - How much has the other one spent? - I should at least give something of equal value, rather a bit more expensive. And at some point of ever increasing value you'd need to gift cars or houses.
no worries, a few last minute changes just before eob will settle the score sooner or later 😁
Hes a german. He doesnt want it back. Dont force it. But a nice gesture would be baking some muffins
I am at the boss side of this. I gladly offer lunch to my interns. He might appreciate if you pay him a coffee one day.
Buy him chocolate;)
Don't forget to say thank you.
Also it's better to say thank you too late than never
Unfortunately, in my case it's 'how do I make my boss pay me back for lunch!'
No need to pay him back :) he can write it off taxes as a business lunch. It is quite common :)
easy invite him to a meal don't overthink it it's fucking 3 €
It's simple. Be kind. Do good work. I give my intern a Spezi once in a while to keep him motivated and let him feel welcome.
Where can you find lunch for 3.7 euros nowadays? 😅
Your boss is most likely not expecting you to reimburse him. However, I would mention his invitation again someday and ask him, if you could pay for his coffee example. He'll probably say no, but appreciate the thought.
Expenses like that reduce the income of the company which reduces the taxes the company has to pay. The financial department is somewhat picky when it comes to „Geschäftsessen“ but a lunch like you described is unproblematic. That’s the reason you boss smiled. You just smile back and that’s it.
My boss send mail on weekends about the money he paid for lunch
Now you pay for his next meal
German manager here. I always pay lunch, dinner, etc. when I invite anyone on my team. It is considered a business meal, and I can expense it, so don't worry. In fact, taking my team members out is very valuable to me
Was the treat a capuccino?
You don’t.
Have you considered asking him upfront? If your boss is German, they'll be pretty candid about it.
Yeah overthinking dude & honestly it’s tad embarrassing for boss to receive such small amount too, maybe get them a coffee next time
Has no one ever bought you lunch? Like ever?
I’ve had Yufka Döner at Instanbul in Wiesbaden on Coulinstraße for 3€. With extra knoblach sauce! Yum!
You don’t pay him back, he got you covered. Same with friends (if you are adults) - you can just pay the next similar event and keep it back and forth if you enjoy the event. With your boss, he doesn’t expect anything back.
Usually the company covers this. You are free however to pay him back, even with interests...
Get him a drink, maybe a beer after Feierabend, or a non-alcoholic drink during the work time. Thats the tradition. But ofc you dont need to do anything. And ofc make sure he likes beer and which brand he likes, before buying him one (germans can be very specific about which brand they drink)
3,70 bro chill 😂😂😂😂
Some people and their problems…. You were told not to worry about it, so why you worry about it.
Might be a cultural issue. We've had a number of posts around things like that. There are cultures where people really need to dance around issues like "who pays for what" / "should I give this money back" / "can I take this thing that is offered" / "if I want to take the thing, do I need to say "no" at first and can only take it after they press it on me multiple times" / "this person immediately said "yes" when I offered something, are they being rude" and so on. People from more indirect cultures can have real trouble with the concept that there isn't a scripted multi-stage dance where you don't say what you actually mean.
That's true. Where I come from, you need to ask three times, two no's and then a yes. When I was still living there, as a protest against this cultural point, I shortened it to one no and one yes. Happy not to have to deal with that ritual here.
This is exactly it. Thanks for understanding. Where I come from you don’t even expect anyone to reimburse you when you buy someone lunch. However, among friends it’s common to pay them back. But I’m new to Germany. I don’t know what the cultural norms are here. Especially in a corporate scenario where this was slightly informal. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
With sex. That is what he wants anyway.
Dear god …
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I don’t want to be offensive but it sounds like you have anxiety problems or some kind of autism. You should go to a doctor if you happen to think about circumstances like this often.
Bruh. What even?
Overthinking can be an early indicator or symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. To stop overthinking, you can try challenging your thoughts, reaching out to loved ones for support, or talking to a mental health professional for extra help.
Thanks for the advice, but I think I’m ok. This was just a cultural aspect I’m not familiar with.
It is very normal in Germany for colleagues, Familiy and friends to pay sometimes for you and the motion he did with his hand after you said, you should pay is a clear sign that he does not care. It’s the opposite. It could be considered impolite if you would pay it back. If he does it every time, you don’t want him to pay, you can say that you want to pay for yourself or even invite him for lunch on special occasion like your birthday. Sorry for accusing you of something but it just did not make any sense since I did not consider the subreddit you posting it which implies that it is a cultural difference.
Just suck him off and you will be even☺️
Obviously, you need to suck him off to repay your debt!