Workplace slip-ups happen to the best of us. But user @cloudy.mornings, who DM'd us with his conundrum by accidentally calling your colleague the wrong name… for six years? That’s not just awkward, that’s Olympic-level awkward. Luckily, Suzanne Paul is here to dish out her trademark agony aunt wisdom - with a side of cake, of course.
Here's What I Would Do!
When you’ve been living a lie (or at least, calling Karen “Sharon” since 2018), drastic measures feel like the only option. You could:
- Fake Your Own Death
- Change Your Name
- Relocate
- Start A New Life In Huntly!
Or... Bake A Carefree Chelsea Carrot Cake
Enter: the humble carrot cake. Light, moist, topped with dreamy cream cheese icing, and the perfect “sorry-I-didn’t-know-your-real-name” peace offering. Bake one, slice it generously, and share it around—because nothing smooths over six years of mistaken identity like a homemade cake.
Here are some of my favourites:
Helpful Hints
When in doubt, bake it out. Seriously. Awkward workplace moments have a half-life of forever—unless you show up with cake. A homemade bake has magical powers: it says “I care” without the need for a full-blown apology speech, it gathers people around the staffroom table instead of the rumour mill, and it lets your colleague know you’re human (and maybe a little hopeless with names).
If you want to really dial up the goodwill, add a handwritten note to the cake box. Something like “To my favourite colleague… whatever your name is. Enjoy the carrot cake!” A little humour, a little icing, and the whole office will be on your side faster than you can say “cream cheese frosting.”
Colleague Got Allergies?
Not everyone can tuck into cream cheese icing without consequences. If your office bestie (or newly-acknowledged colleague-with-the-correct-name) has dietary needs, here’s how to swap it out without losing the magic:
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Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based cream cheese or blend soaked cashews with a splash of lemon juice for a tangy icing alternative.
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Milk in the batter: Sub in oat, soy, or almond milk—your cake will still be fluffy.
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Butter: Dairy-free margarine or coconut oil keeps everything rich and moist.
Crisis averted, cake shared, names finally straightened out. Stay tuned—another delicious distraction (and dilemma) is coming your way soon. Because when life gets awkward, baking really does solve everything.
Conundrums happen every day. Chelsea’s got the answers.
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