Common-sense rule of fasting

A few years ago I was fasting from sweets-- I think it was Lent-- and after a class at church, one of my friends came in with a scrumptious-looking pan of cookie bars she'd just made. I had to turn them down and felt bad about it, since there weren't many people left in the room to eat them. Later that night I thought it over and resolved that for the future, all my voluntary fasts would be suspended any time there was a chance I might be hurting feelings by refusing food.

So yesterday I was fasting on crackers and tea (like bread and water, only easier, because tea demands cream and sugar!), and I went to the boss' office to report some results. He handed me a large shortbread cookie. And then he held out a carton of strawberries and instructed me to take the biggest, juiciest one. Now, how could I refuse such a kind offer in such a situation? One mustn't say no to THE BOSS! I was forced to mitigate my holy fast, and in conclusion, om nom nom.