No. (Smile) Thank you. I'm all set.
 

Lately I've been practicing how to pass up goodies presented to me without offending the person making the offer. In the old days, I would politely sample one (or more) of goodies passed around at parties or gatherings. If the offerer was someone I knew, I'd often sample things I don't even like, just so as to not hurt their feelings. I would even take samples offered at the supermarket if the lady was standing right there cooking it.

Guess you could call me a people-pleaser. :)

But all those tastes and samples add up. I really don't need to have them (even though, every now and then, it's a nice little treat).

So, I started practicing in the supermarket (another place to practice is in the mall, when you're accosted by the cell phone sellers on the kiosks). When offered a sample, I say politely but firmly, "No."

Not "No, thank you", just "No". Then I immediately smile and say "Thank you, I'm all set", to soften it up. I'll often throw a follow-up "Thank you" and smile in there.

It's amazing how that little shift in emphasis makes such a big difference, at least to me.

Last night, I got to put it to a real test. I was at a meeting and there was the typical table laden with home baked goodies (brownies, cookies and cakes, oh my!). The table was manned by someone I know, so it wasn't a stranger. As I passed by, she smiled, waved her hand proudly over the display and said, "Ooooo help yourself to some goodies!!!"

Without even thinking, I said, "No. (smile) Thank you, I'm all set (smile)".

She didn't look offended and I honestly don't think she was! She just chirped, "Ok!"

It was so easy! And I felt so in control! Ahhhh much better!

What a great idea! I often feel bad if I don't accept food offerings especially is they are home baked.

Thanks for sharing this. I will use it next time I am at Costo and walk past the free sample booths :lol:

this is a hard one!!! This evening I went to a church supper, there were tons of people there and one of the members made me my own special cupcake with 'Happy Birthday Lacey' on it. I didn't know what to do, it was just the sweetest thing someone could've done for me, I just kept gushing on it all night and kept saying it was too pretty to eat so I brought it home and my 3 year old enjoyed it :D

It IS so hard to say no sometimes!!

Lacey