"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
Post by coribelle26 on Nov 7, 2013 23:15:38 GMT -5
Damn cookies and their wizardlike ability to confuse the issue!
Honestly if the situation was a mass email that said, "I'm pregnant and excited so I brought cookies! Have at it!" I would have thought it was cute. The part that bugged me was the, "Wink wink, go check out the cookies!" It's the reveal. I hate a big reveal.
I am a person for whom exciting news is never preceded by anything fancier than a, "Hey! Guess What!" Even for people who I'm sure would care.
Remember that blog about the people who had the scavenger hunt at the mall to reveal the sex of their baby to their family? If I was their relative that would have been the day I cut them out.
I'd probably walk in sobbing and smash all of the cookies. But I'm kind of a lunatic right now.
But then you'd want the cookies and starting picking up the crumbs . Not like I've ever thrown sweets out and then gotten them from the trash or anything.
But then you'd want the cookies and starting picking up the crumbs . Not like I've ever thrown sweets out and then gotten them from the trash or anything.
I'm not above that!
No one would EVER bug me at work again if word of this got around.
And Sue Sue you are totally missing the point. Cookies for your birthday are lovely. An email with the message, "IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO BE REVEALED BY COOKIES! SEEK THE COOKIES!" Followed by each cookie lovingly inscribed with, "Sue Sue is 29 years old today!" are annoying.
I agree completely.
Re your question re professionalism -- I actually don't think such an act is very professional, at least not in my particular environment. Obviously, this varies from workplace to workplace.
Moreover, it's one thing to bring in baked goods or treats or whatever for a celebration. It's a different ball game when said goods are emblazoned with a ridiculous self-serving message.
Needless to say, this wouldn't go over well at all at my office.
I liked because I commiserate, not because I actually like your lunacy.
I'm sorry you're both hurting right now. When I was in your shoes, the cookies would have sent me into a spiral, not gonna lie.
You know, this is maybe something else that's bothering me. She knows that I had a miscarriage a month ago, and even though I wasn't there today my parents were and they're still sad too. She doesn't know this part but there is another teacher who had one in the spring who is EXTREMELY fragile about it still. For all I know, there are others who are struggling with miscarriages or IF on the staff. A pregnancy announcement is one thing but the whole, "Oh, she brought cookies! I could really use a cookie!" only to be blindsided by that information just seems kind of insensitive.
I don't expect the world to revolve around me or anybody else who's had a loss but maybe it's the wrong audience for your big surprise.
This part is oversensitive and I own it. I stand by the rest of my earlier statements being nonemotional.
NBD to me. I wouldn't do it because its NMS but if she wants to provide cookies for everyone who cares whats written on them. Its a way to avoid the who knows/who doesn't issue as its clear everybody is supposed to know and any excuse for yummy cookies!
IDK it just sounds like she is really excited, do I think it is over the top? Yes. Would I eat the shit out of those cookies? Yes Would I bring in cookies that say "My ute is empty!" as a joke? Maybe
I guess now I'm leaning toward after the anatomy scan being the right time for me. Then it can be one fell swoop announcement of, "We're having a baby and it's a girl!" Done.
I think, for me, I just can't imagine anyone giving a shit that I'm pg or what I'm having, so if I ever end up in that scenario, cookies and "reveal" will definitely not be my style.
Also, the bolded reminded me of that commercial where the kid calls his dad collect and says "WeeeeHaddaBabyItsaBoy" real fast during the "state your name" part of calling colelct. lol
I work in a small, close-knit office, and I can't even imagine doing that here. I mean, bringing in some cookies and telling folks, "I found out I am pregnant and was just so excited I decided to bring some treats into the office" is cool and I wouldn't side eye this at all. But to have that info revealed on the cookies themselves? Pretty self absorbed. Also seems like maybe she's trying to one-up the other pregnant women in the office.
Post by mnirishgirl on Nov 8, 2013 10:24:04 GMT -5
In our office it's customary to bring in bagels when announcing a pregnancy. It is to the point where if there are bagels on the table everyone's asking who's expecting. We have occasionally had people sending out "I'm not pregnant, I just wanted to bring you bagels" emails in the past I think this is all fun and innocent. I do side eye the message on the cookies and the tone of the email. The cookies themself, yum
I don't really like it. It wouldn't bother me I guess, but yeah it's a bit self-involved.
The email about "super special cookies you just have to see" would annoy me. Only because in my office, this is sure to be followed by office to office visits with people asking "Did you see the cookies? Did you get a cookie?"
Post by coribelle26 on Nov 8, 2013 10:34:31 GMT -5
@booby I hear what you're saying but I really do think there is a sensitivity-level difference. I don't think this woman is a bad person but I do think she's up in her own little world.
To contrast: H's best friend and his wife have a baby whose first birthday is coming up. These are people that I care about immensely and do share in their joy and celebrations. They pulled us aside and said they would like to invite us to her first birthday, but they wanted to check with us first to make sure that we wouldn't be upset or surprised when we opened the invitation envelope. Of course we said it was completely fine to send the invitation and we wouldn't miss it for the world. But damn if I didn't appreciate them thinking of that and asking us first.
I knew about the other teacher's miscarriage last school year. That was in my mind when I made the decision to tell people about my pregnancy quietly and without fanfare, even though I was elated in general and excited to tell especially the people I've known for most of my life.
ETA: To me there is a difference between celebrating and tricking other people into being part of your celebration. I know that sounds crazy. If I got invited to a lunch, showed up, and it turned out to be a surprise mother's day lunch, that would suck. And it would suck for our principal who lost her mom recently. You know? Just be up front about your stuff and don't assume people are going to care so much that you need to surprise them with it.
To me there is a difference between celebrating and tricking other people into being part of your celebration. I know that sounds crazy. If I got invited to a lunch, showed up, and it turned out to be a surprise mother's day lunch, that would suck. And it would suck for our principal who lost her mom recently. You know? Just be up front about your stuff and don't assume people are going to care so much that you need to surprise them with it.
Ugh, Cori, I'm sorry. I'd hide in my office and cry.
I would also roll my eyes at each individual cookie making an announcement. And also - can you imagine how long it took to pipe "_______ is pregnant!" on each fucking cookie? UGH. Annoying. I secretly think the bakers (if she ordered them) rolled their eyes.
I did not announce to my office at all that I was pregnant. I told one friend in the office and she asked why I hadn't announced it at our staff meeting. I said I figured people would eventually figure it out or hear about it.
So then SHE started telling everyone as she saw them. While I was standing there. That was awkward and annoying.