Comments on: Cupcakes go far at work http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:42:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: david rees http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-172665 david rees Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:05:20 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-172665 We have a receptionist here that we all just LOVE. We LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE her - all of us. Every week she brings something that she bakes - it is usually on a Friday and it is frequently cupcakes. We all feel that she is kind, sincere, decent and caring. Incidentally - most of us are in the 34-44 range and the receptionist is 18. I consider the cupcake rule to be once step from scripture: When I was in 8th grade, I had a teacher that really did not like me - she made my life miserable. My mom said "don't let her control how you feel - take control and make her like you" My mom helped me bake and I brought her baked things. EVERYTHING turned around - it was stunning. You can't be unkind to people who bake for you. We have a receptionist here that we all just LOVE.

We LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE her – all of us.

Every week she brings something that she bakes – it is usually on a Friday and it is frequently cupcakes.

We all feel that she is kind, sincere, decent and caring.

Incidentally – most of us are in the 34-44 range and the receptionist is 18.

I consider the cupcake rule to be once step from scripture:

When I was in 8th grade, I had a teacher that really did not like me – she made my life miserable. My mom said "don't let her control how you feel – take control and make her like you"

My mom helped me bake and I brought her baked things. EVERYTHING turned around – it was stunning. You can't be unkind to people who bake for you.

]]> By: Heather Rose Russell http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-170367 Heather Rose Russell Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:50:36 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-170367 I like the idea of bringing cupcakes to work; however, I'm more in favour of oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies with regular (or seasonal) Smarties (or other similar candy) on top. Or brownies rather than cupcakes. But the idea is, all the same, a nice one. I like the idea of bringing cupcakes to work; however, I'm more in favour of oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies with regular (or seasonal) Smarties (or other similar candy) on top.
Or brownies rather than cupcakes.
But the idea is, all the same, a nice one.

]]> By: Jeremy Pepper http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-113879 Jeremy Pepper Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:13:11 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-113879 Wait - isn't this a McDonald's commercial? Wait – isn't this a McDonald's commercial?

]]> By: Heather http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104406 Heather Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:54:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-104406 Late reply on this, but I have to admit I'm pretty shocked by the reactions too. I agree that there are still many sexists out there, but um, a power suit and stone heart won't change their minds about what you are or aren't. Neither will cupcakes. Your actions, attitude, and overall approach to life define you as a person. If you are someone who likes to bake, bring cupcakes to the office if you want to. If you don't like to bake, bring your coworkers a coffee now and again. The point of the article wasn't, "Turn into June Cleaver and your coworkers will totally like, love you," it was, "Hey, do something nice for your coworkers every once in a while that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with business." We're still human at work. We're still men, and women at work. And sometimes, a random cupcake is just what everyone needs to lighten up. Late reply on this, but I have to admit I'm pretty shocked by the reactions too. I agree that there are still many sexists out there, but um, a power suit and stone heart won't change their minds about what you are or aren't. Neither will cupcakes.

Your actions, attitude, and overall approach to life define you as a person. If you are someone who likes to bake, bring cupcakes to the office if you want to. If you don't like to bake, bring your coworkers a coffee now and again.

The point of the article wasn't, "Turn into June Cleaver and your coworkers will totally like, love you," it was, "Hey, do something nice for your coworkers every once in a while that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with business."

We're still human at work. We're still men, and women at work. And sometimes, a random cupcake is just what everyone needs to lighten up.

]]> By: Linda http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-84260 Linda Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:51:06 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-84260 I originally operated on the 'no bake' policy. After all, you have to be tough to be taken seriously as a woman in a man's world. On top of the old boy companies I've worked for, I also work in IT, so tough has to go to a new level or they'll think I'm stupid (pre-internet world). Then I met a manager on one of my assignments who baked. Yes, she was feminine, but she was also not to be messed with. I discovered people appreciated the baking and her for doing it, and no one called her competence into question. It also made the dungeon a bit more civil. My initial attitude of "why should I bribe people to like me" changed to "everyone likes to be appreciated," and that became the spirit with which I baked when I chose to do so. To bake or not to bake, that's a personal preference, but I think putting some effort behind a 'thank you' tells someone you mean it, and there are always people to be recognized if you think about it that way. If you don't think about it that way, you probably shouldn't be baking cupcakes. I originally operated on the 'no bake' policy. After all, you have to be tough to be taken seriously as a woman in a man's world. On top of the old boy companies I've worked for, I also work in IT, so tough has to go to a new level or they'll think I'm stupid (pre-internet world). Then I met a manager on one of my assignments who baked. Yes, she was feminine, but she was also not to be messed with. I discovered people appreciated the baking and her for doing it, and no one called her competence into question. It also made the dungeon a bit more civil. My initial attitude of "why should I bribe people to like me" changed to "everyone likes to be appreciated," and that became the spirit with which I baked when I chose to do so. To bake or not to bake, that's a personal preference, but I think putting some effort behind a 'thank you' tells someone you mean it, and there are always people to be recognized if you think about it that way. If you don't think about it that way, you probably shouldn't be baking cupcakes.

]]> By: Jessica http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-71123 Jessica Tue, 15 May 2007 01:31:40 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-71123 Ok, so here's another thought about the food thing. For women (overall) if they bake or cook something really fantastic with great skill, people regard it as a nuturing act, not as a demonstration of skill. However, men (overall) when they cook or bake something, they aren't regarded as doing it for love, but as a demonstration of skill. Think restaurant chefs (mostly men) vs the home cook (still mainly women). Also think of prepackaged baked goods, which are largely female branded like Sara Lee and Marie Callendar, or the general statement of "just like mom/grandma" used to make. Why? because females cooking=nuturing. Geez, I should change my thesis topic to this. :D Ok, so here's another thought about the food thing. For women (overall) if they bake or cook something really fantastic with great skill, people regard it as a nuturing act, not as a demonstration of skill. However, men (overall) when they cook or bake something, they aren't regarded as doing it for love, but as a demonstration of skill. Think restaurant chefs (mostly men) vs the home cook (still mainly women). Also think of prepackaged baked goods, which are largely female branded like Sara Lee and Marie Callendar, or the general statement of "just like mom/grandma" used to make. Why? because females cooking=nuturing. Geez, I should change my thesis topic to this. :D

]]> By: Jessica http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-71121 Jessica Tue, 15 May 2007 01:24:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-71121 I think you are sorely mistaken about the disappearing gender divide. It may not be as apparent, but it is still there. Take Greg's comment for example about his wife being the "Room Mother". That's just weird. Using your wife and her skills/labor for social capital is very much a boomer thing, not a "huzzah all gender disparity is gone because it's 2007!-read "Men and Women of the Corporation" by Rossabeth Moss Kanter (circa 1975?) to see what I mean. That being said my spouse and I have occassionally brought food to our offices, but we always make it ourselves. I can't really see my husband asking me to make his office-mates cookies, because he's a completely capable baker (makes awesome pies!). And honestly, I'm not into playing a mother role to anyone but potential offspring of my own. You can't have equality among adults if someone is playing mommy/daddy/child roles in the workplace (or in relationships for that matter.) I think you are sorely mistaken about the disappearing gender divide. It may not be as apparent, but it is still there. Take Greg's comment for example about his wife being the "Room Mother". That's just weird. Using your wife and her skills/labor for social capital is very much a boomer thing, not a "huzzah all gender disparity is gone because it's 2007!-read "Men and Women of the Corporation" by Rossabeth Moss Kanter (circa 1975?) to see what I mean.

That being said my spouse and I have occassionally brought food to our offices, but we always make it ourselves. I can't really see my husband asking me to make his office-mates cookies, because he's a completely capable baker (makes awesome pies!). And honestly, I'm not into playing a mother role to anyone but potential offspring of my own. You can't have equality among adults if someone is playing mommy/daddy/child roles in the workplace (or in relationships for that matter.)

]]> By: CR http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-66450 CR Thu, 03 May 2007 17:04:31 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-66450 My choice at my new job is going to be to have chocolate on my desk. Everyone loves chocolate. ANd it will get people I don't even know to come over and take chocolate, and if I am there, they will have to at least say "hi" or "thank you" and then I have a chance to connect with them. My choice at my new job is going to be to have chocolate on my desk. Everyone loves chocolate. ANd it will get people I don't even know to come over and take chocolate, and if I am there, they will have to at least say "hi" or "thank you" and then I have a chance to connect with them.

]]> By: Cupcake Queen http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-65468 Cupcake Queen Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:01:21 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-65468 I brought a dozen homemade cupcakes to my colleagues every week for 52 weeks at the Univrsity of Maryland...they were my testing ground! And, almost everyone wanted to eat the cupcakes and were more than happy to see them. An email would go out that the cupcakes had arrived. Folks began hovering around the front office every Monday morning at 9:00 so they would be one of the 12 lucky cupcake eaters! And, so much disappointment if they didn't get one! It was funny...some people would gobble theirs right away and other would save it for lunch! All in all, the weekly cupcakes became a positive gathering point on Monday mornings, and the event took on a life of its own. Soon, I was making 2 dozen cupcakes a week and delivering the extras to our vice president's office...and occasionally to the president's office! It was a blast! I brought a dozen homemade cupcakes to my colleagues every week for 52 weeks at the Univrsity of Maryland…they were my testing ground!

And, almost everyone wanted to eat the cupcakes and were more than happy to see them. An email would go out that the cupcakes had arrived. Folks began hovering around the front office every Monday morning at 9:00 so they would be one of the 12 lucky cupcake eaters! And, so much disappointment if they didn't get one!

It was funny…some people would gobble theirs right away and other would save it for lunch! All in all, the weekly cupcakes became a positive gathering point on Monday mornings, and the event took on a life of its own. Soon, I was making 2 dozen cupcakes a week and delivering the extras to our vice president's office…and occasionally to the president's office! It was a blast!

]]> By: A friend http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/comment-page-1/#comment-64475 A friend Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:17:56 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/25/cupcakes-go-far-at-work-2/#comment-64475 I'd like to think that one can take this advice liberally--not literally. Baking cupcakes could seem very contrived for some people, and the action would backfire. Better to do something authentic. I'd like to think that one can take this advice liberally–not literally. Baking cupcakes could seem very contrived for some people, and the action would backfire. Better to do something authentic.

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