WTF Friday: Metaphoric Cookies

November 16, 2007 at 8:10 am | In wtf friday | 31 Comments

I was downtown yesterday afternoon tabling at one of the high rise buildings. I’m always intrigued when I go to these places because I don’t work in that kind of environment. People wear ties and suits and they have vending machines and multi-level offices, each with its own kitchen. It’s like visiting another planet.

So I was there to spread the word about the great work we do and encourage them to volunteer. They had us haphazardly placed in a very posh break room. They were serving cookies and coffee and cider to entice their employees to venture out of their cubicles and hopefully, hear more about the non-profits they are partnering with for holiday drives. The line for the cookies was long. The line to talk to us was non-existent.

As I sat there amongst my pamphlets and handouts, I watched the people scrutinize the size-able cookies. Some would pick out just one, their favorite. Others would shove two, sometimes three onto a cocktail-size plate. A few used the “cover my mountain of cookies with a napkin” technique, hoping no one would notice their gluttony. The line was clearly stretched out down the length of the room and the trays of cookies were quickly dwindling and yet people, knowingly, would take more than one cookie.

See, if it were me, I’d be hyper-aware that there was a long line of people behind me who wanted a cookie. I would take one in the hopes of leaving more for the others who had not yet gotten their turn. That’s just how I am. Maybe that’s my people pleasing nature but maybe I am just a thoughtful person who likes to play fair. Besides, those cookies were ginormous!

I think possibly this whole cookie business is metaphoric for life. There will always be the people who will take and take, thinking only of themselves and there will always be the people who take only what they need (or sometimes not even that), thinking of others. And there will never be enough cookies.

“Cuz it don’t matter to the moon/If you’re not in my life/No the moon will just keep hanging round, hanging round/Like it’s just another night/Who find another place to shine/On some other lovers dreams/Cuz it don’t matter to the moon no, no/It matters to me/Cuz it don’t matter to the moon no, no/But it matters to me…”- It Don’t Matter To The Sun, Rosie Thomas

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And that is why you work at a non profit, sitting at a table, hoping to find volunteers to help some people out. And why they are all standing in line trying to get the most cookies they can. I might be a little cynical about the for profit salaries and perks.

Comment by kim — November 16, 2007 #
There are never enough cookies. You’re right about that. (And I mean that seriously.)

Comment by justrun — November 16, 2007 #
Heh. Good metaphor!

Comment by Alison — November 16, 2007 #
What a good observer of life you are.

Comment by allandnothingatthesametime — November 16, 2007 #
Wow.. good insight.

Comment by Scotty — November 16, 2007 #
I would only stand in line for cookies if I knew they were freshly baked.

What does that say about me? Rhetorical question

Comment by Tobiwan — November 16, 2007 #
There are givers and takers in this world. Clearly, working for a non-profit, you are a giver who happened to be surrounded by a bunch of takers. Oh to see life on the other side.

Comment by Nilsa S. — November 16, 2007 #
I’d say the takers need to give, and the givers need to take. Take, Sizz, take!

Comment by Jen — November 16, 2007 #
I like the metaphor! In the real sense, I’m like you…I would never dream of taking two cookies when there wasn’t enough for everyone. And I’d share. That has to do with both being a people pleaser AND not wanting to look like a fat ass. Two birds with one stone I say. :)

Comment by Megan — November 16, 2007 #
Oh my gosh, just reading about this offended me to my very core. Seriously, why are people so selfish? Gah!

Comment by abbersnail — November 16, 2007 #
I would totally make sure I took what cookies I wanted because there might not be any leftover for me, and feeling the scarcity would make me want to scarf more.

Comment by Fluffycat — November 16, 2007 #
I think you hit the nail on the head.

Comment by sue — November 16, 2007 #
I’d be the one not even taking a cookie, so people wouldn’t know that I am fat…cause that’s my metaphor of life ;)

Comment by Hilly — November 16, 2007 #
You’re dead on Sizzle. And on a Friday:)

Comment by snowflake37 — November 16, 2007 #
That’s very insightful Sizzle. Many of us are just gluttons.

Comment by The Diva's Thoughts — November 16, 2007 #
I guess if no one else is going to say it, I will:

The ratio of people to cookies is too big :)

Comment by Bone — November 16, 2007 #
I’m sure all those people who were taking more than one cookie were thinking only of their desk-bound colleagues and delivering cookies to the less fortunate. Now get outta my way while I fill this box for the unfortunates on the 23rd floor.

Comment by Rick — November 16, 2007 #
I’m a take one and share with someone who missed out kind of girl. Or take a bunch and distribute them to the folks at the end of the line…

Comment by Bre — November 16, 2007 #
when I was working at a BIG law firm, it was always the lawyers, those in the 6-figure income bracket, who were first to rape and pillage any “free” food

typical

Comment by Kathryn — November 16, 2007 #
Good metaphor, indeed.
(Wait, does that mean there wasn’t enough cookies??)

Comment by BullysE — November 16, 2007 #
Ever notice the ones who can afford it the most, take the most?

Comment by scarlet hip — November 16, 2007 #
I’d lick all the cookies and tell everyone the place is closed.

Comment by whit — November 16, 2007 #
Working at a company who (in my opinion) over does it on the “volunteer” for this and that bit, I can understand your line being nonexistent. The cookies… well, if something’s free, EVERfreakin’ONE wants some. Gah!

Comment by Lisa — November 16, 2007 #
This is so true.

Comment by brookem — November 16, 2007 #
I liked this. I don’t ‘know’ you, but you give the impression of being very kind and the fact that your reasoning for only taking one cookie, so that everyone could get one, didn’t surprise me. I think I need to surround myself with a few more people who take less cookies. (I once dated a guy who I suspect would have taken all the cookies, stolen any flatware laying around and kicked a puppy one his way out the door).

Comment by brandy — November 17, 2007 #
pretty much sums it up.
thankfully we consider ourselves the good eggs…

xo

Comment by jenny — November 18, 2007 #
I a always hyper aware of my surroundings and I would bethe *one coolie quick* kinda girl – just do it and get it over with…then sheepishly come back for another later….

Comment by Princess Extraoridinaire — November 19, 2007 #
I love that you used the cookies as a metaphor, one of my favorite things about reading your blog (aside from your openness) is your ability to turn a little situation into something deeper.

Comment by Ruby — November 19, 2007 #
Great insight, does make ya want to be at the head of the line in either event. :)

Comment by G-man — November 19, 2007 #
Awesome metaphor. I am the same as you – I notice… and it bugs me that other people can be so inconsiderate!

Comment by kilax — November 21, 2007 #
You were sooooo close to me:) That kind of behavior came up at my work Xmas party last year, which was really annoying. There was a snafu and not enough food was ordered so it kept coming out in piece-meal (and it was in small plates so it was really filling anyone up at dinner time), yet it was the SAME people that kept getting in line first and helping themselves to heaping portions. It think it was the 4th time that food came out before I could get in before they ran out.

Comment by Becky — November 27, 2007 #