Why Is The Vending Machine Engineer My Best Friend In The Workplace?

When you think about your closest friend in the office, you probably imagine a colleague or maybe even someone from your team. But in my case, the person I connect with most isn’t a manager, a peer, or even someone I regularly work with. It’s the vending machine engineer. And honestly, it’s the best unexpected friendship I’ve found in the workplace.

Back in 2006, I was working as a project manager for a software company in Buckinghamshire in the UK, The industry was booming, but the role came with immense responsibilities, and the pressure of meeting constant deadlines was wearing me down. To make matters worse, I had no colleagues I could connect with and a boss who micromanaged every task as if he were pulling my strings like a puppet. As the months passed, I found myself struggling to cope. Then one day, amidst complaints about the vending machine jamming and failing to dispense food, a vending machine engineer arrived to fix it.

He immedialtely gave me a smile and said hello. You see, there was something different about him. After having various conversation over the times he visited to carry out repairs, I found He actually listenned to me and took an interest in what I had to say. Not in that polite, "let's nod and smile" way some people do, but with genuine curiosity. He asked questions, and followed up on things we discussed days earlier, and, well, he just got me. Conversations with him weren't just superficial small talk about the weather or complaints about office life. They were refreshing and real.

And here’s where it gets interesting. Unlike my boss, he didn't belittle me or make me feel small. There was no judgment, no condescension—just mutual respect. In fact, in those moments when I felt unheard or undervalued at work, he was the one who helped me regain my sense of worth. It’s ironic, really. You’d expect to get that from your superiors, but it turned out, the vending machine engineer was better at making me feel understood than my own boss.

He’s was far more interesting than anyone in the office, too. Every time he came by to fix the machine, I found myself looking forward to our next chat. He had stories, experiences, and insights that went beyond the typical office gossip. He had lived a life that offers perspectives most of us haven’t considered, and I genuinely enjoyed learning from him. There’s always always a sense of anticipation when I knew he was stopping by.

What I really appreciate, though, is that he gave great advice. I could talk to him about pretty much anything—whether it was work-related frustrations or personal dilemmas—and he always seemed to offer advice that made me feel optimistic, even when things were tough. He was the kind of person who encouraged you to see the bigger picture, to not sweat the small stuff, and to keep moving forward with a positive mindset.

But the most important thing is that he was not just a casual acquaintance or a guy who happens to fix your snacks. He was the only person in the office I could actually call a friend. We laughed together, shared real conversations, and trusted each other. It was rare to find someone in the workplace who didn't come with hidden agendas or office politics. With him, it was simple—we connected as humans, not just as employees in the same building.

In a world where the workplace can sometimes feel isolating or stressful, finding a friend who genuinely cares makes all the difference. And for me, that friend just happenned to be the vending machine engineer.

And if I happenned to tamper with the vending machine from time to time to keep our chats going… well, could you really blame me?

So, next time you see the engineer fixing the vending machine, take a moment to chat. You might just discover your next best friend.