I suppose I'm just being unreasonable

[zianuray]

and petty, but this RANKLED.

I take a basket (or a cauldron) of candy, raisins, gum, and whatever to work twice a year -- Ostara and Samhaim -- to share with all who will take a bit.  I don't require that they celebrate my holidays, 'cause I don't theirs, but it seems like good PR/education/something.  Sort of a prosperity thing, I guess, haven't really analysed it beyond that.

So Tuesday I had my basket.  As always, most people were really cool about it.  Some have even learned I'm NOT the Easter Bunny and I'm NOT early :D  and return my greeting with "Happy Ostara" or "Happy Spring-day!"  Apparently you can teach people if it's reinforced with chocolate :D:D:D

The same engineer who keeps teasing me that "Dragons don't exist!" (which I know better and so does softpaw don't we?) is poking through the basket and asks what the occasion is -- and when he hears "Zia brought it for Solstice!" he dropped what he had in his hand -- a sucker, I think -- and backed up, scowling, then turned and stomped off without another word. 

OK, that I can take.  I think it's rude, but WTH, he's Muslim (is that the right term?) anyhow, maybe they don't have seasons, I dunno.

A couple of hours later, L comes in --

 "Can I get a candy?"

"Sure, did I miss you earlier?  I'm sorry!"

"Oh, it's not for me, it's for (engineer)."

I lost it. 

I told her if he wanted that candy he should come and ask for it himself and not send someone else.  What, if it's unclean because of the source (which is all I can think of to explain his earlier reaction), how does adding a step when you still know where it's coming from make a difference? 

Comments

[mesniu.livejournal.com]

If you and he are still there next year, just say it's for Noruz, the Persian festival celebrating the onset of Spring.

[zianuray.livejournal.com]

How shall i pronounce that? Looks like noor-OOZ?
Thanks!

[softpaw.livejournal.com]

The heck?

Yeah gods...you got pagan cooties on him! But he gave the person who he sent in the cooties shot so when s/he carries it it becomes clean then!


People are silly.

[softpaw.livejournal.com]

And yes...yes I know full well that Dragons are real.

[eunice-branca.livejournal.com]

That would piss me off terribly!! A woman in my office is pagan and I greet her with her celebration. She doesn't reinforce with chocolate though! *grins*

When I lived in Ohio and went in to the office I would always keep a candy dish by my desk. I stopped after seeing a couple always chomping on candy of their own while still coming over to take mine. After that I kept my candy in my drawer same as them. I like to share but I don't like greed.

[another-masque.livejournal.com]

You are not being at all unreasonable. Me, I'd walk the candy back over to his desk, hand him a sucker and tell him to shove it up his ass.

Then, I'd probably get fired. So maybe not the best plan. Sure would feel good though.