I was sitting at my desk this morning, minding my own business, when there was an inter-office envelope dropped off addressed to me with no sender.

I open it and it's a Weight Watchers cookbook.

:?

I'm pretty quiet and shy and I know I haven't talked to anyone about losing weight other than a male co-worker that I've worked with for 16 years. I know it wasn't him.

I've heard they have some pretty decent recipes - may as well look through it and see if any of them look like they would be worth trying

but the "weight watchers" would have me a bit put off - even though I really really should do something about the extra bulk I'm carrying around

I tend to have a little harsh reactions to things like that, but I would put it in a visible place in the office with a big note reading: "Please take it back. When I need your opinion I will give it to you".

:hunf: That would make me go Hmmmm.....and then think what the heck??? I guess you can keep it or pass it on :wink:

I would do the same. We are not here to judge other people and it would have me so mad. :? :evil: :evil: :twisted:

I would also go hmmmmmmm. I am very sensitive and would definitely been hurt!

I don't know what to think. Insulted that someone thought I could use it. Wondering if they thought they were being nice and thoughtful by giving it to me, maybe one they had and didn't want and thought I might like it? I have never had any issue with anyone here, been here for 16 years, and couldn't imagine anyone I know doing it maliciously.

Still, unless I asked for it or expressed an interest, it's no one else's business that I could probably stand to lose 40 lbs.

I'm with you Pam...that would have me going a bit more than "Hmmmmm"

The way it was done was kind of rude I think.

Don't let it get to you, just keep making your beautiful quilts for us to see. :)

don't be hurt. it says nothing at all about your quality as a human being. it speaks volumes however about the lack of character in whoever pulled such a snotty stunt.

tear out the pages and put one recipe on every desk in the building. post a notice that you couldn't keep such a generous gift all to yourself.

LOL!! Patrice!! I LOVE IT!!! :)

It sure does take a certain amount of malice to do something like that. 40 pounds isn't huge. I'm sure you're not the only one there with 40 pounds - or more - to lose.

Obviously someone went to a bit of trouble to be so insulting. Cookbooks cost money, even used. Getting one to anonymously give to you took some forethought, too.

So it came via inter-office mail. Any clues from the handwriting of the address?

Did anyone else get one?

LOL... Thanks for the laugh everyone. I'm not one to make a big deal out of things so I'm not going to make a stink about it and draw even more attention to it.

I'll let it go and maybe even look through the book.

Maybe even post a BIG Thank You and offer to share recipes. ???? :?

Better yet, make some of the recipes and bring them into the office to share! LOL

Pam, maybe this was an idea floated at WW meetings because I had a WW cook book left on my desk a little while ago as well. I have to admit it was a little insulting, but they really are good recipes and you got the book for free, while others are paying $20 for it.

That's what my daughter said... make a huge batch of cookies from the book and bring them in. :lol:

It just has my name and cubicle number written on it. I wouldn't be able to tell anyone's handwriting except a couple of people I work closely with. There are probably 500 people in this building and yes, there are many that are VERY large so it's not like I stand out that much .

I just don't know anyone who I would think would do that. I work with almost all men, one other woman who has been here 25 years. I'm in IT so I'm more behind the scenes and I don't work directly with a lot of people. Like I said, I'm kind of quiet and shy so I don't gossip or talk about anyone either.

Maybe write a note:

Thank you to the ANONYMOUS donor of the cookbook.

I would really like to know who you are so I can properly express my appreciation to you.

That's strange. Is it some type of campaign?? There are weekly WW meetings here that about a dozen people go to (I've seen them in a conference room). I've never had anything to do with it and don't hang out with the people who go to them.

I am not sure that I would be offended, I know that there are people all over that do things for strange reasons, and they may really have enjoyed the cookbook and wanted to pass it on, with out knowing who it is from or the intent. There was no public display of you opening it from a SS or anything, if I wanted to insult someone with something like that I would make sure that others saw the person opening it.

Your attitude can make it a good present or a bad one, I say enjoy it, if their intent was to shame you in anyway, you take the power away from them by enjoying it and putting it to good use, I wold pass it around that someone was nice enough and thought enough of you to give you a special present.

I for one, would be highly insulted, and probably be knocking on the manager's door within 30 seconds.

I am worth more than my girth.

Hmmmm Pam...I would probably have been hurt initially...then mad...then I thought..are you the only one who got one? At this point....just say what the heck...enjoy the free cookbook or pass it along to someone else who might want it..of course...offering it in a very nice way.... :wink:

BTW...I've heard they have some really great recipes!

It might have not been done because of weight, I have receieved calenders before, and it was just that. Someone sharing a calendar.

I'm not going to stress about it. I looked through it and lots of things look really good. I will assume that it was given with good intentions by someone who thought I would like it.

After all, I DO need to lose a few pounds. Isn't living well the best revenge? :twisted:

I got one idea from looking through the book. There was some ham kabobs, didn't read the recipe but it has sweet potatoes. I don't have or like sweet potatoes but I have a big ham I was going to cook.

I cut a thick slab off the ham, cut it into big cubes, and put it on skewers with pinapple and red bell pepper chunks. Put it under the broiler and at the last put a little cherry ham glaze on it. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm.

Hey the way I would look at it is that I got a free cook book.

But me being me, I would find out who did it and punch them in the mouth for being a smart ass!! :mrgreen:

Billy

Having met you in person, I can't even imagine why someone would do such a thing with a bad intention. You are a very pretty, lovely woman. You do not need to lose weight, and you are so sweet. I can only imagine that it was sent to you as a nice gesture, not as a "hint". Were you talking about cooking maybe? Or is there a recipe exchange coming up?

Yum! The ham kabobs sound awesome. You have already turned this into something positive which says a lot about you as a person. And a free cookbook is always good!

And here you thought being quiet and shy meant you weren't noticed. Someone noticed you!
You have a place to start, if you want to thank the giver, by contacting whoever leads the weekly WW meetings.

I can think of things I'd rather get anonymously...... :wink:

I would use the office copier to copy any recipes I would like to make and then leave it laying around in the break room, no need to mention who left it in the break room. Or better yet, leave it setting in the bathroom.
Only you and the person who gave it to you will know where it came from.

I still like the idea of tearing out pages and putting one on each desk, saying I just couldn'tstand it, I had to share. I do feel whomever did this is VERY insensitive. What a meanie

I would go out in the office and say "Hey, who gave me this
great book? I LOVE IT!!!!! Then if someone says that they
did it add "It was so nice of you. Thank you for thinking of me."

If it was done maliciously, that should knock them over.

Esqmommy, you are so sweet to say that and thank you for giving me another perspective.

I feel better having "talked" with you all about it. It doesn't bother me and I also can't imagine anyone I know doing it as a hint. If it was someone I don't really know then what do I care what they think anyway?

It doesn't surprise me that someone could be so rude - look at the degrading shows on tv like "The biggest Loser". Anorexics are worshipped, and role models are airbrushed dolls.

It is the only acceptable bit of bigotry actively promoted. I would bring it to your HR person if you are in a big company. With jobs being so tight, it is hard to say what to do.

I admire you taking the high road, but keep your eyes open.

I wonder if you were the only one who received one? Others may have too, but haven't spoke up about it.
It still does not sit well with me, but I am glad that you are not going to let it get to you!!!

I would offer it up with a note. Something like: "This was obviously sent to the wrong recipient" in really big letters and I would sign it.

If I felt really frisky, I'd add: But if anyone has a "1000 recipes with Butter and Chocolate," I'd LOVE that book."

wish I had thought of that :thumbup:

I believe it though I wish it wasn't true. Smokers and the overweight are the some of the last groups that it is OK to discriminate against.

How far in eroding personal freedoms will it go before the general public has had enough? A whole lot of harm can be done under the guise of "protecting" people from themselves or protecting society from them.

I have been using e-cigarettes (quit smoking 4 months ago) and even these are being banned in a knee jerk reaction and at the proding of anti-smoking groups. They aren't "protecting" anyone from second-hand smoke or a drain on society's finanaces and health care. They are trying to regulate BEHAVIOR and the APPEARANCE of smoking.

The world would be a much better place if they would turn their attention to things that are more important IMO... like clean water and food, poverty and human rights.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Definately a little rude to do it anonymously. If they wanted to do it out of kindness, how about a little note explaining their motivation.... Actually, I'm not sure there is a good way to give someone a weight loss cookbook without being asked for it. You're right..... HMMMMMM!!!

And, Pam, I have to totally agree on the legislating Behavior comment.....people have given up being responsible for their own actions, because the Government wants to tell them everything they can and can't do.

Oh gosh Pam...you are opening up a huge can of worms...it makes my blood boil!

And congrats on the quitting smoking...I quit in June of 07...its so nice to to have to deal with all the ugly comments along with all the other bad things that accompany smoking. Its so crazy...people think we don't know its not healthy??? DUH!!!