Workplace infidelity

[changeling]

When I started at my current job, my boss took me around our small office. Here are some people at desks. Here are the toilets. Here is the kitchen. DON'T USE ANY COFFEE CUPS EXCEPT THE WHITE ONES BECAUSE PEOPLE GET REALLY INTENSE ABOUT HAVING THEIR MUGS TAKEN.

That's how I remember it, anyway.

So, since the white mugs hold about 1/2 a cup, I brought in my own mug from home. I'm a temp, and used to this sort of thing, so I have a collection of Workplace Mugs to choose from. (I have four, at last count. They were largely bought when I forgot to bring one in from home. And forgot I had some already.) The one I brought was white, with brown inside, and three brown scribbled circles that are nice to run your fingers over. It's not particularly attractive, but at least it isn't pastel with badly printed scenes of a) flowers, b) kittens, or c) imaginary Paris.

Last week, it all started to go horribly wrong. I went to look for my mug, and it wasn't there. It was back the next day. (Phew!) Yesterday I saw it on the draining board with coffee dregs in it. Harlot.

Today, I came into the kitchen, and the New Guy has my mug. Sitting there, on the table in front of him. And he's drinking out of it.

I feel so betrayed.

Was I the only one who was instructed on this momentous matter? Apparently so. It has pushed me over the edge. (I should note here that I am unwell, so this was possibly a larger reaction than usual.) I am now going to buy my one-person teapot next week so I can either get one with a matching teacup, or else I'll find some sad unloved teacup in the op shop and use that. With my new awesome teapot. No-one will want to fill a little teacup and saucer with coffee. Coffee is only drunk in enormous 0.5L MUGS. And I will get to have a whole pot of lovely hot tea, instead of a mingy mug which is simultaneously not nearly enough and more than I can drink before it goes all cold.

Does my lovely white mug really look that masculine? Is brown not meant to be a feminine colour? Why choose mine? WHY?

Comments

[youraugustine.livejournal.com]

It's entirely possible that a) he was told and is just deciding it Doesn't Apply To Him, or b) he honestly does think yours falls under "white cups".

I suspect one might need to be Intense AT him in order to make sure one's mug is safe.

[delirieuse.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking about collaring him at some stage if this continues.

I may just try nicking it in the morning first.

[celeloriel.livejournal.com]

This happens to me, too. I now have an individual teapot and am bringing in my own sponge and dish soap. SO FRUSTRATING.

[dorukai.livejournal.com]

On the plus side, your boss was apparently right, people do get intense about it!

I keep mine on my desk. Heh.

[delirieuse.livejournal.com]

Heh, true.
I would, except I don't have a hot cuppa first thing, and I like to have it go through the dishwasher each night. Well, when I use it.

[nys.livejournal.com]

Poor thing. I understand how you feel.

Have you heard back from your job interview BTW?

[delirieuse.livejournal.com]

No, frustratingly. I hope to hear by the end of the week ...

[bekscilla.livejournal.com]

UUuuugh, rude! Honestly, when there's a bunch of similar looking cups, and a few odd cups, then you know that you ONLY use the similar cups. At one site, because their company colours are yellow and blue, they have a bunch of yellow cups and a bunch of blue cups. Took me ages to work out that those 2 sets were the communal ones. I just didn't drink coffee/hot drinks until I worked that out.