Ramadan is a holy month of fasting for many of the world’s Muslims. Followers of the faith are encouraged to abstain from eating food or drinking water during the daylight hours. The fast is meant to be both a spiritual and physical challenge — one that isn’t made any easier by the unhelpful suggestions of often well-meaning co-workers.

In a video for The Huffington Post, Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York, stars in a video about a few of the questions that American Muslims get from their non-Muslim co-workers while trying to keep the fast at the office.

From tactless recommendations about how to avoid the fast to awkward small talk at office birthday parties, Sarsour broke down why fasting for Ramadan can turn into a “literal hunger game.”

In the end, though, Sarsour said that it’s all worth it.

“Ramadan is a time to control one’s desires and get closer to God. The self-discipline that we learn carries on to other areas of our lives so we can be better family members, friends and, yes, co-workers.”