Why you shouldn’t eat the cake the Boss brought.

Why, Boss, why? Series, so far.

There’s another announcement about an unexpected mandatory department meeting this week. Most of the time, the highlights seem to be what treat the Boss brought.  They bring gourmet cookies, cake, candy, bagels – why and why you shouldn’t take them.

Can’t ask questions with your mouth full

This is the same concept of when a waiter checks your table while you’re eating. Your mouth is full and all you can really say is a few mumble words: “mmm hmm” in agreement.  If you had a problem, you’d make a signal to say wait.

Soft versus crunchy

Soft foods like cake, cookies, and melt in your mouth candy doesn’t make as much noise as a crunchy carrot or chips.  They usually select foods that aren’t individually wrapped in crinkly plastic either.

It’s also best not to bring hard candy unless its cold season. Don’t bring peanuts because of the growing allergy, choking and fall to the floor tripping factor.  Chewy candy can stick to teeth and people will distractingly pick or suck their teeth.

Carbs peak and crash

Morning bagels require cream cheese, utensils, plates – the works. Afternoon meetings usually are limited to one or two items - cookies and cake. Sugar carbs peak you up then makes you crash.  Some carbs are used as comfort foods with a burst of excitable energy. Excitable energy is a good feeling, which is what the Managers want at the time of presenting, to accept, new ideas.

Why do they bring treats?

·        They look like they brought everyone a rewarding treat.

·        Trying to win team brownie points.

·        Keeping mouths full, minimize talking.

·        Distracting focus from any seemingly bad news.

·        They will watch who indulges or not and how much.

·        They will take note on who rejected.

·        They will see who joins the crowd.

·        They may get reimbursed for the expense.

·        Creating subtle feelings of:  bribery, flattery, gratitude, enticement, favor trading/obligation.

·        Influencing positive feelings from all the sweet stimulated energy.

A bag of bagels with accessories in the morning, on an average in the Midwest in 2012, is around $35. If they have a team of 10 employees that’s $3.50 per person they just spent the company money on, if they're reimbursed.  If people begin to refuse to eat it, leftovers are viewed as a loss of money.  A subtle culture message is also a signal of rejection. 

As a former bartender, I personally always preferred a tip, especially a tip equal to the amount of what a shot cost. However, corporate law is worded that the manager can not give cash gifts. It’s viewed more as a bribe than a cupcake. There are so many personal views on how it’s perceived. Determining if some gifts create a feeling of obligation or conflict of interest. 

A gift in any form can influence:

·        Emotions- conflict or inclusion.

·        Judgement of the relationship.

·        Judgement of the person(s).

·        Judgement of value of funds.

·        Comparison of use of funds-affordability versus not

·        Obligation.

·        Plants an attached memory.

Before you bite into that delicious chocolate icing topped cupcake, consider what part of the company pie the boss spent from. Is it, could it be, your piece percentage of the company pie that should have been left in the oven to bake to create a better tasting pie?