Wednesday, March 19, 2008

"Coffee?"

So, this colleague of mine--an editor who works across the hall from me--keeps offering to buy me coffee. I don't want coffee. Nevertheless, today, I said, "Sure, I'll take coffee today." I accepted even though I didn't want coffee because he came over to my door and said, "[English Major]? I keep asking, and you keep saying no--" and I kind of felt like it had been a bad idea to say no a bunch of times, like I was blocking his attempts at building a rapport. Nevertheless, I'm not too much of an afternoon coffee drinker--and the coffee from the coffee shop downstairs, much as I love the guys who work there, is appreciably worse than my home brew. So...I'm probably not going to drink this cup of coffee he just brought me. Was it super-weird, then, to accept it?

11 comments:

Esme said...

I don't think it's weird at all. Sometimes I do this as well because it's the thought that really counts. As long as you appreciate it.

But be careful though. My roommate did the same with her bf's mother with fruit flavored tea. We ended up with a cupboard full of said tea, and after years of accepting it, there was just no nice way of telling her the truth.

Anonymous said...

Nah, I don't think it's weird. But next time he asks, I would say, "You know, I just don't drink coffee in the afternoons very often. I really appreciated it the other day, though, because I was having a tough go of it..."

Sense said...

geez, that's a waste, but I understand your dilemma. can you ask for tea or a cup of cold water instead?? that way he knows its not HIM that's making you say no, it's pure coffee-avoidance.

Little Miss Moneybags said...

I agree with Sense to Dollars. If he offers again, perhaps request a different simple drink (tea is always safe).

Or are you simply uncomfortable with the idea of a colleague picking up the tab for you for anything, whether it's your preferred beverage or not? If that's the case, you can accept his offer of friendship while setting boundaries by something along the lines of "Oh, you treated last time, can *I* get *you* a coffee this time?"

Anonymous said...

Aw, it sounds like someone has a crush on English Major! How cute!

See if he'll buy you something ridiculous next time.

Anonymous said...

My firm treats afternoon coffee outings as a nicotine-free cigarette break: every employee's opportunity to get out of the office, even if you don't indulge. Next time, offer to go with him, and then pick out a drink that you'd like, or a piece of fruit, or a muffin, or tea, or heck, even bottled water. And chat a bit while you do it. Coffee breaks are also great "water cooler" exercises.

Ms. M&P said...

Lol at Him. It does sound like someone has a crush ;) Still, I don't think it's a waste to accept the coffee. Sometimes relationships trump the $1.50 coffee (or whatever it cost).

krystalatwork said...

It's not weird. I like what gildedbutterfly said ... appreciate the gesture but turn down the coffee and tell the truth - you just don't drink coffee in the afternoons! :) People are very understanding when you are honest with them.

Chitown said...

Have tea instead. That's not weird at all. My co-workers often go for coffee runs and I just go along for the walk. I learn all types of interesting things on these walks.

Frederick Ingram said...

I'm afraid he's trying to get inside your panties, miss.

Anonymous said...

Bronx chica...he wants the panties especially since he kept coming to you to give you coffee.