Perfect time to ignore 'hints'.

mrsconn23

Dear Prudence,

I work in an administrative capacity for an elected official who has quite a bit of discretion in how they choose to disburse their budget. Recently everyone in the office—except the administrative staff—was given a huge raise. I found out by accident: Someone stupidly asked me a question about the money. I figured out what had happened and someone else in the office confirmed the massive pay increases. This official runs on a platform of reducing income inequality, and their hypocrisy makes me resentful and angry. I’ve started looking for another job.

I’ve stopped all inessential socializing with these co-workers since I can no longer stand to be around them any more than I have to. The problem is that I used to bring in treats for the office almost weekly. I stopped as soon as I found out about the raises. A few people have mentioned missing the cupcakes and have dropped some less-than-subtle hints that they want me to bring them back. I want to yell, “Buy your own damn cupcakes, you can afford them!” Any suggestions for a script to make it clear they’ve enjoyed their last baked good from me?

—Buy Your Own Damn Cupcakes

southernbelle0915

Lasso that anger, girl. It's not their fault they got raises. If only admin staff had gotten raises and no one else, something tells me she'd be singing a different tune.

Here's a script: "Sorry, I can't afford to continue to bring in treats. Wish I could!"

banana468

southernbelle0915 said:

Lasso that anger, girl. It's not their fault they got raises. If only admin staff had gotten raises and no one else, something tells me she'd be singing a different tune.

Here's a script: "Sorry, I can't afford to continue to bring in treats. Wish I could!"

This.   That's all you need to say.   

Heffalump

Has she even had a conversation with her boss about this?  Because that's where I'd start.  Cutting off baked goods, while valid, feels pretty passive aggressive in the absence of any other action.  Time to speak truth to power, LW. 

And to southern's point, she's shooting the messenger.  It doesn't sound like these co-workers even know that the admins didn't get a raise, and now she says she can't stand to be around them.  Not their fault.

MissKittyDanger

"I figured they're more for special occasions instead of every day."

short+sassy

Agree with everyone.  She should really say something to her boss and voice her displeasure.  And stop with the anger at her coworkers.  It's nobody else's fault they got a raise and she didn't.

But I do need to add one more thing.  I also find it really crappy of her coworker's to "not so subtly" be asking about more treats.  Especially if they've never brought goodies in themselves.

kerbohl

short+sassy said:

Agree with everyone.  She should really say something to her boss and voice her displeasure.  And stop with the anger at her coworkers.  It's nobody else's fault they got a raise and she didn't.

But I do need to add one more thing.  I also find it really crappy of her coworker's to "not so subtly" be asking about more treats.  Especially if they've never brought goodies in themselves.

Oh, I completely agree with that.  They should take it as a sign that maybe they can stop by a bakery and pick up some cookies every now and again.  How are they going to feel when LW is gone?  Sit around bemoaning the cupcake famine that no one can do anything about now that the giver of cupcakes is gone?

short+sassy

kerbohl said:

short+sassy said:

Agree with everyone.  She should really say something to her boss and voice her displeasure.  And stop with the anger at her coworkers.  It's nobody else's fault they got a raise and she didn't.

But I do need to add one more thing.  I also find it really crappy of her coworker's to "not so subtly" be asking about more treats.  Especially if they've never brought goodies in themselves.

Oh, I completely agree with that.  They should take it as a sign that maybe they can stop by a bakery and pick up some cookies every now and again.  How are they going to feel when LW is gone?  Sit around bemoaning the cupcake famine that no one can do anything about now that the giver of cupcakes is gone?

It's funny you should say that!  At my workplace, we used to have a coworker that loved to cook and even did catering sometimes on the weekends.  He ALWAYS brought in goodies.  We were sometimes his guinea pigs for new recipes.  He would also bake a birthday cake once a month for those having a birthday.  He'd even ask the b-day people ahead of time what kind of cake they would like.  He was always thanked profusely!

Then he got laid off .  I was bummed for him anyway, because he is a really nice guy and great person to work with.  But I was also bummed knowing that would be the end of the goodies and birthday cakes.