people who don't get that no means no

Caroline SK · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 02:31 PM

A guy at the office today brought in some wonderful looking blueberry tarts that his wife baked. He was passing them around and offered me one. I said "no thank you" and continued what I was doing. One of the women present started going on and on that I should have 'just one' because they are soooo good yadda yadda. I said no thanks again. Then she says "you shouldn't pass them up- they are the real thing" So I said "so is diabetes, no thank you." and left it at that.
I don't think I need to tell the world that I have this disease. My eating habits don't affect them at all and I am not contagious or likely to fall into a diabetic emergency any time soon as long as I manage my diabetes. Whether it is from diabetes or simply a choice to eat healthy, no one should have to say 'no' to an offer of any food more than once. No means no.

/rant

princesslinda · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 02:44 PM

I understand your frustration. I'm sure your co-workers were just trying to be nice, but it's hard enough sometimes to get that ONE "no" out, much less having to continue it...esp. if it's something you want really badly.

Today, we had a drug rep lunch...burgers, grilled chicken, hotdogs, baked beans, chips, potato salad...AND COBBLER, BLACKBERRY AND APPLE!

When I was getting my plate, everyone was going on about the cobbler....then I hear "Linda, don't look, you can't have this!" I didn't even get the chance to say no. I REALLY, REALLY wanted to grab cobbler in both hands and say "YUM...cobbler...me like cobbler, while everyone watched.

Not sure which is worse, having to say no....or having "no" said for you. I FEEL YOUR PAIN!

barko · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 02:52 PM

Next time...just tell them you would love one of those blueberry tarts...but to be prepared, as they usually cause all diabetics to projectile-vomit.

notme · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 03:57 PM

LOL barko. I am going to remember that one!

Jan B · #5 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 04:05 PM

Good idea Barko, except I couldn't say that I might projectile vomit without laughing.

When offered food or carbs I don't want (from people who know me), I say, "I don't want to have to take a shot for it; no thanks", and they usually don't say anything else.

I'm there too-- not sure which is worse: 1) you can't have that, or 2) you really want it, come on and have one; they are so wonderful.

Eating Yummy Food is a very social -- everybody join in, kind of deal. (I'm preaching to myself, because I get tired of food being all about entertainment & excitement.)

Caroline, if I offered you a cookie, or whatever, and you said no, I would say ok. ;o)

And Linda, I would like to see you grab cobbler in both hands and say "YUM...cobbler...me like cobbler", with everyone watching! I'm still laughing at the thought of it!

HiImDan · #6 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barko

Next time...just tell them you would love one of those blueberry tarts...but to be prepared, as they usually cause all diabetics to projectile-vomit.

volleyball · #7 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 07:41 PM

I have no problem turning down stuff that is not great. But when it's something that hard to pass up, it shows up as you drool. So I take it, take a bite or just let it sit and give it to someone else later. being the gracious guest.

bryan42 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 07:46 PM

Telling People We Have Diabetes, Just Doesnt "phase" Them!!

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duck · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 07:47 PM

Many of us have been there, and what kills me is how the person who won't stop is typically offended when you have to "drop the hammer" to get them to stop. As in many awkward situations, if they had stopped at the first sign of resistance, there would have been no issue...but they keep on and keep on, and when you finally pull the Nuclear Option they act hurt and offended. And to make it worse, in cases like these, the "offender" isn't trying to be mean or a pain, they probably genuinely want you to enjoy something they enjoyed...It's a no-win situation, really.

Imagine if you had celiac sprue or something, and they were pushing a food with gluten?

xMenace · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 07:50 PM

"No thank you, I'm in training" works too.

MJB · #11 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 06:19 AM

I don't hesitate to tell such people that I am diabetic.

It usually shuts them up immediately and I don't have to say no a second time.

gettingby · #12 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 06:43 AM

RANT ON !!

It's not situations like this that get me but another situation. I've been in our breakroom at work, trying to bring a low up. One employee saw me drinking juice (was easier to get to my juice than my tabs) and said "What do you think you are doing? Don't you know juice is bad for you?" I had to show her my meter just to prove that I was low and needed the juice. Those are the times that really irritate me. I should not have to explain myself or my actions to anyone !!!

Ok, rant off !!

georgepds · #13 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline SK

A guy at the office today brought in some wonderful looking blueberry tarts ... I said no thanks again. Then she says "you shouldn't pass them up- they are the real thing" So I said "so is diabetes, no thank you." and left it at that.

I don't think I need to tell the world that I have this disease.
/rant

Makes one long for the days of more formal relations. My idols in this matter are presidents Kennedy and Roosevelt who dealt with tremendous personal health problems (back injury and polio respectively) in a private and dignified manner during their term of office. If they can do it in that fishbowl, I can do it in my obscurity

--g

dgrilli · #14 (**permalink**) 09-15-2007, 12:53 AM

I will eat the blueberries natural ones not cooked. In fact I love them little purple things. I could eat a ton of them and just take an extended bolus. They very rarely ever spike my BG.

But the Pastery and all the refined bleached sugar yuk yuk!

I probably would have been thinking how would she like to have a cup of drano in my the back of my mind. All depends how cranky I was that day. I can get pretty moosy.

MissDB · #15 (**permalink**) 09-15-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volleyball

I have no problem turning down stuff that is not great. But when it's something that hard to pass up, it shows up as you drool. So I take it, take a bite or just let it sit and give it to someone else later. being the gracious guest.

I would do the same thing and then adjust my next meal to compensate.

I am a teacher and the parents from the neighbourhood where I teach tend to get too involved, also word spreads quickly, so not too many on staff know that I am diabetic and I want to keep it that way.