> "You were used" is a bit much. I'd generally agree. I think my sentiment was a counter-point to the whole "we are a family", "we care about you" that compani

> "You were used" is a bit much. I'd generally agree. I think my sentiment was a counter-point to the whole "we are a family", "we care about you" that companies put out to employees. Employees especially need to understand that's fine and good, but companies exist to make money. They _can_ care about you but only to the extent that it makes them money through your continuing loyalty. Your manager as a human can care about you, your manager as a boss cannot. I don't think many top-level managers is fooling themselves into thinking this behavior is anything but company loyalty. I am not quite entirely jaded, but I would certainly have choice words for my 24 year old self being overjoyed about my company buying me dinner at the office. It's a fun gesture but you need to understand as an employee what your company's priorities are and not get fooled into it being anything but a monetary transaction. But yes, to summarize, my language was a bit more coarse and pointed than the situation probably calls for.