Not talking to the cleaning person is just rude and mean. Seems to me if no-one else in the office does it, that's an opportunity to be the person that changes

Not talking to the cleaning person is just rude and mean. Seems to me if no-one else in the office does it, that's an opportunity to be the person that changes things. If one person starts talking to the cleaning lady/man, other people probably will. Or if they look at you weird for doing so (yeah to be honest this sadly did happen to me) then ** 'em, they need to learn. As for free stuff, hey, if the company wants to give away free stuff, its our moral duty to use it, right? ;) If like the author we're struggling to make ends meet, then we should take whatever free stuff we can use. If we don't technically "need" it, well how about pass it on to someone else who does. Or give extra money to charity. Really, why be embarassed to be the only person using free stuff. Will people really deep down judge you? If they really do, go work somewhere else with better people ;)