I know that for many people, a cup of coffee in the morning is an essential part of their daily routine. It’s not just about the caffeine, but also the comfort and ritual of brewing the perfect cup. However, the coffee culture clash with workplace etiquette has become a hot topic in recent years, particularly when it comes to the issue of who should clean up after themselves.

Let me start by telling you a story. A few years ago, I worked for a company where the coffee area was in the break room. Every morning, people would make coffee, pour it into their cups, and then leave the empty pot on the burner. When I arrived at work, the coffee pot was empty, but the grounds were still in the filter, and there was no fresh pot brewing. It was frustrating, to say the least.

One day, I decided to take matters into my own hands and make a fresh pot of coffee. I emptied the old grounds, rinsed the pot, and added fresh water and coffee. As I was standing there, waiting for the coffee to brew, one of my coworkers came in and said, “Thanks for making the coffee, but you didn’t have to do that. We have a cleaning crew for that.”

I was taken aback. Was it really the job of the cleaning crew to make fresh coffee for us every morning? I didn’t think so, but apparently, my coworker did.

This experience got me thinking about workplace etiquette and coffee culture clashes. In many offices, the expectation is that everyone cleans up after themselves. This means not only washing your own dishes but also making sure that communal areas like the coffee station are kept clean and tidy.

On the other hand, some people believe that certain tasks, like making coffee, are the responsibility of the cleaning crew. They see it as a perk of working in the office and expect someone else to take care of it.

So, who is right? Should we all take responsibility for keeping the workplace clean, or is it the job of the cleaning crew?

In my opinion, it’s a little bit of both. While the cleaning crew is responsible for deep cleaning and maintaining the overall cleanliness of the office, it’s also important for individuals to take responsibility for their own messes. This means washing your own dishes, wiping down surfaces, and even making a fresh pot of coffee if you’re the last one to empty it.

The truth is, there is no hard and fast rule about who should clean up after themselves in the workplace. It’s a matter of personal preference and workplace culture. Some offices have strict cleaning policies, while others are more relaxed. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to assess the expectations of their workplace and act accordingly.