To think that bringing cakes into work is a bit try hard

[Cateyes113]

Fair enough if it's for an special event or something. It's a nice gesture, but I think bringing in cakes for everyone 'just because' is people trying to be liked and win people over. Maybe I'm just miserable.

Sometimes I get the feeling it’s because whoever brought them on wants a face full face cake at 3pm but knows everyone will talk about them if they do so they take in enough cakes for everyone so they end up as fat as she is

There is so much negativity in the world. I choose to embrace the small acts of kindness and joy. A woman I work with bake cakes, another the extra gives out plants shes grown. We get handmade cards from another. I used to work with a man that gave out little postcard sized watercolours of his chickens that he had painted. I can't bake but I sew and make jewellery and give those out. My brother shares his home brew with colleagues. Surely this is normal.

We don't all get along. But we spend a lot of time together. We talk about hobbies and generally try and make the work days more pleasant. Perhaps OP you could try spreading some joy yourself.

Why can’t it just be someone doing something nice for their colleagues?

I've worked overseas in the past... in a few countries... guess what? They do this there. In Australia there was a thing called 'Morning Tea', bit like our old elevenses...and everyone gathered around for cake.
In my first job there used to be an actual tea (and cake) trolley from the canteen... EVERY day at 3.30pm. Happy days!

@JemimaPiddleDick

Sometimes I get the feeling it’s because whoever brought them on wants a face full face cake at 3pm but knows everyone will talk about them if they do so they take in enough cakes for everyone so they end up as fat as she is

How nasty.

is people trying to be liked and win people over

So what? If that's what it is then it works as far as I'm concerned.

No one forces you to eat it. At one time I was working in a stressed office and cake was the only thing keeping everyone going.

This is what I miss about wfh....the colleague who loved baking but was so bothered about his weight as keen racing cyclist that we had to help him eat all his creations.

And I miss the guy who had shares in a race horse and if it had a good race he'd buy pizzas for the office.

I didn't see it as trying hard. I saw it as bringing me joy on a plate

I bake cakes professionally, and I always make extra for my DH to take to work. They go so quickly, and I get around 5 orders a month from people in his office.

What's wrong with doing something nice?

Of course it’s people trying to be liked and win people over. Where’s the shame in that? I like to be liked and win people over through baking or otherwise. I’m not sure that’s unreasonable, surely we’re social creatures and there’s pleasure in liking people and being liked?

I bring in cakes because I want to eat cake and it would be rude not to share!

Yabu. Sometimes you just need to get through the week and a bit of cake in the office on a Wednesday afternoon, does the trick!

Yes, you're miserable. Do you really think people have to have an ulterior motive to do something nice? That's a bit sad.

I'd be thrilled if my colleagues brought cakes in.

If it’s genuinely nice, homemade and with good ingredients then it’s a nice thing to do. If they have just picked up supermarket junk then they are just adding to the health crisis this country is suffering from and supporting the production of fake foods which I don’t agree with.

In truth I find the people who sneer at enjoyable mundane things that make other people happy to be a bit try hard to appear all cynical and worldly. (They never are they are just usually a bit sad with no personality and created a sneery "edgy" one to try to be interesting).

Not sure I've ever been offended by cake.

Just when I thought Mumsnet could not get any more miserable killjoy! Man alive.

@JemimaPiddleDick

Sometimes I get the feeling it’s because whoever brought them on wants a face full face cake at 3pm but knows everyone will talk about them if they do so they take in enough cakes for everyone so they end up as fat as she is

This doesn't even make sense but sounds mean.

I love it when people bring in cakes and biscuits and stuff. Work is really stressful ( at my workplace) and the team is all that keeps us going. Sharing and looking out for each other is the key to good working relationships.

My manager joined about 6 months ago and regularly brings cakes and treats in for everyone, a few colleagues think it's a but try hard but I've seen how the level of morale and mood improves when the treats are there compared to when they're not! She brings stuff in a couple of times a week and everyone loves it.

@MrsCooper2

Sometimes it's just a nice thing to do. There doesn't have to be an ulterior motive. I cant bake but I have bought cakes for my colleagues because I appreciate them and all the support we offer each other.

Was going to say the same thing.

Some people are just nice people.

When I was working I used to take in a large traybake every Wednesday. My colleagues used to give a donation to charity if they had a slice (their idea, not mine I'd have baked anyway )
We raised enough money over a few years to buy and stock two Donkey Libraries, one in South America and one in Africa.
When I retired other people carried on and raised money for all sorts of causes.

They got cake, I tried out new recipes, people got books. Win win!

Met plenty of people who refuse to make a tea round but always have one, or drink all the tea/coffee but never replenish it, or who never bring anything in themselves(not financially hard up) but first up to eat others, or never buy a round of drinks, or remember someone else's important things.

Now that life is returning to normal I'm noticing that the grumpy gits are choosing to stay at home if they can and those of us who enjoy the camaraderie of others are getting right back out there and rejoining the human race. No (wo)man is an island.

(Yes we know cake isn't healthy, but people who constantly tell you this will probably shave a few years off their lives through misery- scientifically proven that happiness keeps you alive).

I got into baking a few years back, it was always something I wanted to do. I used to make cupcakes - literally for something to do of an evening rather than sit around watching TV, especially when it was dark early. If I was going to the office I would make a batch to take in. I did it a few times. Not to curry favour but literally as something to do.

I also used to take them round to neighbours, friends etc. I could make 24 quite quickly and if I were to eat them all I would have been massive. Children no longer at home and husband does not like the sweet buttercream icing.

Absolutely horrified you'd say this!!
I loved a good cake run on the way into work! Always felt really nice when going over reams of paperwork with people to have a cake
.

I think this is either jealousy about someone else in the workplace being more popular than you, or their cakes are too good and are sabotaging your diet!
I don't understand the trying too hard insult, what is wrong with doing something nice for people?