Dependence

The department I work in has acquired the habit of providing treats. It started, I think, when we opened up a training facility to teach users on a new system we were rolling out. To make the experience more enjoyable for those users we provided them treats and lunches. Some of our personnel were located at the training facility to support our users and participate in the teaching, and therefore got to share in the treats and meals.

At some point someone realized that those at our main facility, who were working just as hard to develop and support the system, weren’t getting an equal chances at the treats. Soon our admin began stocking a basket and several jars of treats in the main office for us all to help ourselves from time to time. When they ran out that was it until the admin had time to go pick up some more. The treats began running out more and more quickly as people grabbed more and more to ensure they got “their share.” In the end, except for the less popular treats, our window of “snackage” got pretty short.

Recently we got a new admin. She’s done a tremendous job of keeping the snacks stocked. People love her. But recently when she restocked the supply she didn’t get some of the usual snacks. People actually complained that their favorite wasn’t there. These snacks are essentially free, mind you, and it wasn’t like there weren’t plenty of other options. But their favorite wasn’t there, and so they felt it necessary to register their unhappiness.

We used to get no treats at all. Now we’re upset when the precise one we want isn’t there. Snacks are no longer a nice bonus, they’re a necessity. I suspect this phenomenon is not limited to my work place or the issue of snacks.