What do you say to "food pushers" at work?

pico6222 wrote: »

There are lots of people who aggressively push food at me at work. Even if I say "no, thank you" or provide a half-truth excuse (I can't eat sugar early in the day because I'll crash later), they continue to push! I've had everything from someone literally shoving cake in my face saying "You HAVE to eat it, I MADE it!" to a coworker saying "Stop being so healthy!".

I don't want to share my personal business with everyone, and I don't want to be rude to a coworker. However, it makes me incredibly uncomfortable to be publicly put on the spot for not eating their food, especially in meetings when lots of people are watching.

I know these people do not have malicious intentions, and that often they push food because of their own insecurities. What can I say that is not rude when consistently saying "no, thank you" or giving excuses is not enough?

Take it, have one bite, and throw the rest in the trash.

This just happened to me at work this morning!!!
4 ladies each pressured me and repeatedly!!!
1. Thank you, but I already ate
2. Thanks, I'm trying to slim down and started walking away
3. However the 3rd lady was my boss and she walked after me trying to convince me saying that they hosted and we'll take turns hosting as a department. I said, "I love your idea and I love celebrating. But I'm trying to slim down right now. Patted my abs, politely chuckled a fake one, smiled and walked away.
4. Office manager asked did you eat? I shook my head, patted my abs, smiled, and walked away. She gave me a very disapproving look but that's her personality so I don't take it personally.
Key is, when the going gets tough - WALK AWAY with a smile knowing you are taking care of yourself not trying to please others because in the end, you have to live with yourself 24 7.
Holiday parties are already here so more tempters and ambushes to come. Gear up, anticipate, practice that smile, and walk away.

earlnabby wrote: »

pico6222 wrote: »

There are lots of people who aggressively push food at me at work. Even if I say "no, thank you" or provide a half-truth excuse (I can't eat sugar early in the day because I'll crash later), they continue to push! I've had everything from someone literally shoving cake in my face saying "You HAVE to eat it, I MADE it!" to a coworker saying "Stop being so healthy!".

I don't want to share my personal business with everyone, and I don't want to be rude to a coworker. However, it makes me incredibly uncomfortable to be publicly put on the spot for not eating their food, especially in meetings when lots of people are watching.

I know these people do not have malicious intentions, and that often they push food because of their own insecurities. What can I say that is not rude when consistently saying "no, thank you" or giving excuses is not enough?

Take it, have one bite, and throw the rest in the trash.

For those who disagreed: this worked for me for 40 years until I retired. They were happy they pushed food on me and I did no damage to my waistline. Amazing how easy it is to keep the peace just by keeping your mouth shut . . . and how easy it is to not overeat by getting rid of the food ASAP.

Start with ‘no thanks’ and when they keep going, move onto, ‘I don’t want it.’

After several times, say, ‘why are you still asking me to eat food I don’t want?’

Also, if you have the option to walk away, do so.

No thank you I have strict orders from the doctor to eat a certain way.

These are your coworkers and they mean well for the most part. There are people that are legitimately threatened by your dedication, and to feel better about themselves they consciously/unconsciously try to sabotage you. Also, I don’t feel it’s as simple as “I said no! Why isn’t that good enough?” People hold grudges, and simmering animosity can lead to a toxic work environment. Not every hill is worth dying on.

I often:
- tell people “oh man! Shoot! I just ate. Let me wrap some up and save it for later.”
- “I’ve gotta get on a conference call in 2 minutes. Let me take it with me.”
- Fix a plate, pretend that I just got a text, say “oh shoot! Bad timing. I’ve gotta make a call,” and vanish

Yes, it’s being “fake,” but it can be the difference between your colleagues not resenting you. Worse case scenario, eat a few bites. I don’t think any of us here are professional fighters that are worried about making weight, or professional bodybuilders on the verge of stepping on stage. Unless you have a real problem with food in the sense that eating something “bad” will send you binging, it may not be worth the anxiety of trying to stand your ground. I have co-workers that “pick on me” and the angst of walking in the door and wondering “what’s it going to be today?” Drove me crazy. I finally figured out how to let it go. When pizza was catered, I’d say “I can’t eat. I’m fasting because I have to have blood work done later.” Anything like that so people don’t project their insecurities, and then start taking them out on you.

I start with "no thank you", and then I'll usually give some excuse like "I ate way too much breakfast this morning". The important thing is to frame it to make it sounds like "I'm such a *kitten* idiot that I don't deserve the food you are bestowing upon this pitiful soul". People just want to feel good about themselves and some do that by giving food, so showing them that their "charity" is wonderful and that you are the *kitten* for refusing makes them still get that "high" of giving. It's dumb but it's worked for me.