Imagine a breakroom chat about breastfeeding taking a wild turn when a 20-year-old Redditor (F) asks her coworker Kate, “What would happen if I drank your breastmilk?”
The question, meant to probe the science of milk-sharing, landed like a lead balloon, with Kate storming off and later claiming she was mocked.
The Redditor insists it was innocent curiosity, sparked by a misunderstanding about bacteria, but now she’s the office villain.
Was her question a harmless blunder, or a creepy overstep? This Reddit saga is a cringe-worthy clash of workplace boundaries and social missteps.
The Redditor’s odd query and the ensuing wet nurse debate left Kate feeling targeted, but was it mockery or just a bad delivery?
Workplace chats can be a minefield, especially when they veer into personal territory.
The Redditor’s question about drinking her coworker’s breastmilk, though rooted in curiosity about its safety, sent Kate running and sparked accusations of mockery. Reddit’s split, with most calling it inappropriate, but was it an asshole move or a naive mistake?
The Redditor’s intent was to understand if breastmilk is safe for non-relatives, inspired by a vague notion about bacteria. Her phrasing, however, was disastrously personal, implying she might consume Kate’s milk.
Workplace psychologist Dr. Amy Cooper, in a 2025 Forbes article, notes, “Questions about bodily functions, even if curious, can feel invasive in professional settings, especially without rapport”.
Kate, a new mom, was openly discussing breastfeeding, but the Redditor’s direct, hypothetical question crossed a line, making it sound like a personal proposition rather than a general inquiry. The wet nurse discussion with Lauren, while factual, likely amplified Kate’s discomfort, as it kept the focus on her bodily fluids.
Kate’s reaction, calling them “d*cks” and claiming mockery, suggests she felt exposed or ridiculed. A 2024 study from the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that 55% of new mothers feel vulnerable discussing breastfeeding at work due to potential judgment.
Her sensitivity may stem from navigating motherhood in a professional space, and the Redditor’s question, however unintended, hit a nerve. Still, accusing them of mockery might be a stretch, as the conversation stayed informational, not derisive.
This incident highlights the broader issue of workplace boundaries around personal topics. Breastfeeding is normal but intimate, and questions should be general, not pointed.
Dr. Cooper advises, “If curious, frame questions abstractly or research privately to avoid discomfort.” The Redditor could’ve asked, “Is breastmilk safe for adults to drink?” or Googled it, sparing Kate.
An apology clarifying her intent, no mockery, just curiosity, could smooth things over, paired with a commitment to filter future questions. Readers, what’s your take? Was the Redditor’s question a creepy faux pas, or was Kate’s reaction overblown? How do you navigate sensitive topics at work?
These are the responses from Reddit users:
Reddit mostly labels the poster YTA for asking coworker Kate if an unrelated person could safely drink her breastmilk, calling it creepy and inappropriate for work.
They suggest Googling such questions and apologizing to avoid HR trouble.
A few (NTA) see the question as harmless curiosity but still advise discretion.
Recommendations include improving social skills and researching breastmilk safety online. The consensus is the question was tactless and risky.
This Redditor’s breakroom blunder proves that curiosity can curdle fast. Asking about drinking Kate’s breastmilk was meant as a scientific query but landed like a personal jab, leaving Kate feeling mocked.
Was it a thoughtless slip from a 20-year-old or a workplace violation? With HR looming and feelings hurt, should she have kept her question to Google? How would you handle a coworker’s oddball query about your body? Drop your thoughts below!
