Another WWYD coworker question

[FQ fan]

So I get to work today and one of my neighbors in cubicle world pops her head up over the wall. She says "Hey! I brought you a present!"....odd, but fine. Then she came around and gave me a pattern for a craft project. A very complicated craft project. Trying to be nice I told her how kind it was of her and that I really liked it. Then she said "I like pink and orange. " and went back to work.

Now for a long time in the past I have avoided this woman, she tends to see the world in a very egocentric way and no one needs the drama she causes. I was promoted about 2 months ago and she has been very helpful as I've been trying to learn my new position. And I've been on a crafty kick lately and have been bringing a few of my projects to work to show my friends.

I am just completely floored! I really have no time to get into ANOTHER project right now. (DH might object, I'm midstream in about 4 others.) I don't know how to kindly tell her that I just can't do this. I didn't say anything to her today and actually started looking though my craft supplies when I got home.

So, what say you, fellow Diser's? Should I do this project? And if not, how do I tell her no? TIA for your advice.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I wouldn't say anything. You thanked her for the (very odd) gift.

If SHE says anything about where her 'thing' is...just give her a quizzical look and ask 'What do you mean?'. When she says 'You know, my orange and pink thing!' just act puzzled and then say, with a chuckle 'Oh, you kidder, you're so funny...for a minute I thought you were serious!'. And then walk away.

 

[disykat]

I would consider it giving her the benefit of the doubt to assume the "I like pink and orange" was a random statement, not an assumption that you were going to make her the item. If she brings it up again, assure her you it never occured to you because knew she would never be THAT rude!

 

[Agri]

Even if she's a bit odd, I doubt she expected you to go home and immediately tackle the new project - especially if she's been helping you adjust to your new position.

I *would* eventually do the project, but I wouldn't stress over it. Its not like she's not likely to believe you if you say you haven't had a chance to start it yet with all that's going on at work.

Personally, if it were me and she'd gone out of her way to be really helpful and *was* a big help to me - I'd try to do the project once things calmed down and then offer the final project to her as a thank you. (Even if it was complicated, I'd look through the directions carefully to see if there was an easier way to do it or if I could cut some corners with the final product still looking about the same.)

Even if she is a bit nutty, I wouldn't hold that against her unless she's brought you into her drama or it otherwise has caused a direct negative effect on you.