Work colleague food issue

[ArcticBells]

A lovely work colleague brings me a pastry every Friday, along with one for herself .

I feel I should reciprocate but I didn't start this and therefore don't think I should feel pressured to do so..

I've tried thanking her and saying I'm trying to lose weight so please don't bring then in future but she carries on.

Should I accept gracefully ( the pastries are lovely) and continue not to buy for her? Or do I have to reciprocate despite feeling disgruntled at having to spend the money?

No you don't have to reciprocate. I wouldn't expect it if I were your colleague. What a lovely thing for her to do!

Just stop accepting them, “thanks but I did say not to bring me one, I’m on a diet.” and hand it back.

It's NOT a lovely thing for her to do if you have asked her to stop, is it?

Just don't accept them in future.

Don’t reciprocate if you don’t want to be eating that type of food. If you’d like to do something nice, but still keep a healthy diet you could bring some fruit to share in….but only if that’s something you’d like to do.

As a previous person said- dont eat it if you don’t want to. It’s the only way she’ll get the message.

Is this some kind of buy one get one free deal she gets? Anyone else she can offer the pastry to?

Is it Greggs? I'll have it.

Seriously though, if you've asked her to stop she's hardly "lovely" to keep bringing them in. You need to be firmer.

What about saying “ Ooh.. what about switching to Fruit Fridays instead? Remember I’m on a diet? Im doing quite well so don’t want to spoil it? Shall I bring in some fruit. Next week instead?”

Apologies for accidental punctuation there

I wouldn’t bring up your diet as it looks like you’re making things weird about the fact she’s choosing to have a pastry. I’d just say you’ve gone off them, thank you though it’s so kind of you doing it all this time. Bring her a tea or coffee next time you can. Then leave it there

Oh I do this. I love sainsburys hazelnut croissants but they only come in packs of two.

I get them as a treat on a Fri on my way into work and offer the 'spare' to my colleague who usually accepts but sometimes declines. If they decline I end up eating both myself as I have no willpower. Which is why I started offering the other in the first place.

I also hate scoffing something nice in front of someone and not offering offering them one when I do actually have one spare. Feels rude.

I'm not remotely offended if they decline

They're not 2 for the price of 1. They're in separate bags and cost about £2 each.

It sounds lovely but it would grate on me after a while of not being listened to ,definitely don't reciprocate. I would say ..... might like that this time or pass it on myself. Or leave it uneaten on your desk and pass it back saying 'I really can't thanks'. It seems very odd.